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Erich
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 113
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject: Setting the idle up when parked and in the sleeper? |
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I am a local truck driver, but recently have had to stay at some truck stops in a sleeper, one of the employees told me to make sure I set the idle up if I use the sleeper instead of a hotel, and I was just wondering why?
Am I really supposed to do this? I have never heard of this before, but then again I've never driven long haul either... |
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Karnajj
Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 1103
Location: Cincinnati
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| Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Sometimes in the winter you might need to bump up the idle to keep the engine warm enough to keep you warm but that's about it. |
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bikerboy
Joined: 12 Aug 2005
Posts: 195
Location: Southern Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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The truck will idle smoother and not shake and rattle so much.
In winter it will also help keep the engine temps up and keep the cab warmer.
Sometimes it is just easier on the engine to high idle when sleeping.
My volvo engine, says not too use a high idle, but i never sleep in it anyway. |
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roadhog
Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 4080
Location: Upper Lower Michigan...he heeeeeeeeee
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| Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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It keeps the charging system up, and thats good since you are running stuff like interior lights, TV, fan, refridgerator, exterior parking lights, etc. an idling motor may not keep up with your electrical demands.
You don't need to idle 'er up much. They will burn cleaner idled up some, and you also take out some vibration. Vibration is bad...and annoying if you are trying to sleep. Idled up burns a little hotter...enough anyway to keep condensation from building up in your exhaust....especially in the winter.
Anyway, it's better for a lot of reasons, mechanics could give you more reasons....maybe even that employee who told you to idle up.
Personally, I like to shut'er down, and I don't use much electricity...not even a 'fridge. |
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Uncle Fester
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 111
Location: In the Drivers Seat
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| Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, it's a good idea to keep the idle a little high, around 900 minimum to keep the oil flowing so it won't have a hard time reaching the top of the engine or make the oil pump work overtime.
It also keeps the water warmer so if you need the heat, it will be warmer.
Another reason is if the air conditioner is on, it's better on the whole system if you keep the idle up so the drag of the compressor and the belts.
Remember, that powerplant produces the energy you need to keep the truck rolling and you warm-take care of it. |
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Erich
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 113
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah I understand why it would be good in the winter, definatly. However it only got down to about 40 during my stay, and these trucks aren't equiped with TVs or refridgerators... Like I said, most of us stay in hotels over nigh so we can stay well groomed to deal with customers, this route I'm on now I can't quite make it back to the warehouse with the HOS, so I have to stop and then continue back, since I don't have to deal with customers on the way back they'd rather I just stay in the sleeper than pay for a hotel room, plus it is easier on me since I don't have to deal with checking in/out, and getting reimbursed.
It just seemed like everyone around me had a regular idle and I didn't know if it was right or not. I don't want to get bitched at for burning too much fuel either is why I ask :-)
Thanks for the responses |
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RoadRunner9501
Joined: 02 Jun 2005
Posts: 793
Location: VA Beach, VA
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:16 am Post subject: |
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| whats everyone think about NOT running the motor and maybe just a lil space heater to keep u warm and your blankets??? |
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Nighttrain71
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
Posts: 233
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:19 am Post subject: |
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RoadRunner9501 wrote: whats everyone think about NOT running the motor and maybe just a lil space heater to keep u warm and your blankets???
If I were an O/O and paying for the fuel myself, I would strongly consider such options, or something like an APU. Since I don't pay for fuel, and don't get a fuel bonus, the truck stays on and I stay comfortable. :D |
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RoadRunner9501
Joined: 02 Jun 2005
Posts: 793
Location: VA Beach, VA
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:50 am Post subject: |
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Nighttrain71 wrote: RoadRunner9501 wrote: whats everyone think about NOT running the motor and maybe just a lil space heater to keep u warm and your blankets???
If I were an O/O and paying for the fuel myself, I would strongly consider such options, or something like an APU. Since I don't pay for fuel, and don't get a fuel bonus, the truck stays on and I stay comfortable. :D what is APU??...i'm just thinking of options to have a better chance of getting the fuel bonus...lol |
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Nighttrain71
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
Posts: 233
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:59 am Post subject: |
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| Auxillary power unit. Basically an onboard generator of sorts. Check out www.rigmasterpower.com for a better description. Being you are a company driver, I wouldn't recommend that option. They are quite pricey (it would take many bonuses to pay for one.) It is also a permanently installed item, most companies frown upon you installing anything on their truck. |
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RoadRunner9501
Joined: 02 Jun 2005
Posts: 793
Location: VA Beach, VA
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| ok, thannks for clearing that up for me... |
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freebird
Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 1097
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:16 am Post subject: |
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Nighttrain71 wrote: Since I don't pay for fuel, and don't get a fuel bonus, the truck stays on and I stay comfortable. :D
I wonder what the company pays for fuel annually?
And what effect that has on your pay raises? :roll:
Something to think about! |
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One
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 950
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:57 am Post subject: |
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Dont idle unless u have to... If the temps are reasonable, and u got a warm blanky, theres no need to idle in the winter. Just ask urself how cold is it gonna get tonight and decide then. Cold starts are never good 4 an engine, so try to avoid starting it when its coldest out..6am. If u periodically start it, thats fine, engine stays warm inside for hours, so maybe shut her down when u get parked, crank her after 2 hrs for 30mins if u think ull need to idle overnight, repeat till u go to sleep when u idle her . Idling up is another question...as an ex automechanic, id say, if ur oilpressure is above 20psi and the engine coolant stays over 150 degrees depending on engine, ur fine to idle at minimum.
If the coolant drops lower, and u know itll get colder overnight, idle her up to 900-1000 rpm. Freightliner offers a computerized idle control thingy, that cranks and shuts down the engine as needed to maintain cab temp, oil temp and voltage levels...its smart I think.
Idling up does burn fuel cleaner, but still uses more fuel! |
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TK THE TRUCKER
Joined: 11 Jul 2004
Posts: 793
Location: NEAR ROCHESTER, NY
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| As said before it's good for the engine to have it idled up a little bit. It's runs smoother and keeps carbon build up to a minimum. All of the trucks here at Marten will shut off after 3 minutes if you don't idle them up to 900 rpm. Although it does burn more fuel it shouldn't be that much more. I haven't idled my truck at night since springtime. I got blankets for cool nights and a fan for warm one's. I will idle my truck if either of those don't suffice but I usually don't have too. I usually dont' idle until it gets to be below 40f . It does suck getting out of bed in the morning to start the truck but oh well, I'm still young. :D :D |
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solo379
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Posts: 3133
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| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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I don't idle, between 30 and 75!
And if i do, i keep it, at around 800 rpm, tho my engine(CAT), manual, said, to keep it at 1000, or above! :) |
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