I really like IdleAire and I don't think it's just another "fad". As for less parking, most of the truck stop parking hasn't changed, it's just structured differently -- but the same amount of spots. I say don't be so closed minded and give it a shot. A lot more fleets are opening up to the possibility of paying for it for company drivers. It's definitely cheaper than APU's (which sometimes work and sometimes don't.) and truck maintenance.

 

The problem with idle aire is the shared air is not a good thing. Also, idle-aire is not convienent; We do not always end up at truckstops; What about rest areas, customer lots, terminals, shopping ctr etc.

What truckstops should do is offer 120V outlets and let the truckers themselves equip the cab to their own liking. I.e., electric heaters, A/C units computers etc.

And charge maybe $1-$2 an hour.

I'm becoming convinced that APU units are the only practical solution. Besides hotels.

 

I like using Idle-aire myself. Also I do not think that it really is going to go under like Park-N-View did.


Here is why I think the way I do. First there some parts of the country that trying to even get idle regulations to cover APU's. While I can not remember the exact location, I know I read it somewhere. Also I think that the government is going step up and start saying that you can have a APU but you can only use it while you are waiting at a customer's place or out in the country or some place where you can not hook into Idle-aire or some service just like them.

While I hope that it never turns out to be like that, since we have enough regulations put on us by people that do not have a clue what it is to be out here. But look at it like this, the government is already starting to tell companies that the trucks are going to have this that and the other.

 

There's a lot of misconceptions about how the air system works. I wish drivers would really read the literature before coming to a conclusion. You're not sharing air with anyone. Each unit has its own individual HVAC that filters air every 6 minutes or so. The only way you're going to breathe the outside air is if you have your window or vent open. It works just like your home A/C unit. In fact, it's even cleaner as I'm certain there aren't that many folks out there who clean their home A/C units after every visit. IA does that with their units.

Secondly, IA is expanding like crazy. They just opened up their 100th site and there's like another 100 more under construction. You want truckstops to charge like 1 or 2 bucks an hour but that's what IA already charges for the whole sha-bang... AC/Heat, Internet, Sat. TV, 110 (with ports on the outside of the unit for your inverter) and phone for a buck eighty-five an hour. If you ask me, it's a helluva lot cheaper on the fuel, engine and on the body than spending money on a hotel or heaping a bunch of money into an APU that may or may not work depending on if it's factory installed and something as minor as hitting a speed bump puts it out of commission.

 

I wholeheartedly disagree that Idleaire has not taken away anyspaces at most of the truck stops they occupy. Aside from that it just isnt safe or practical to have to nose in everytime you use it and have to blindly back out of them, its dangerous enough crusing around most truck stop lots without having to worry about backing out of your space everytime, and dont get me started on this reserving a parking spot crap they are doing. Idleaire is whack!!!!!!

 

So, you're saying idle-aire DOES NOT share air?

 

And how do we know this? :?

 

Yes, I am saying IA units does not share air. Have you actually looked up at one of the units to see how they're set up. They each have their own individual HVAC unit. You're not connected up with anyone else.

 

Here's some links:
http://www.baltometro.org/TIP/TIP200...eSecretary.pdf
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/f...0634/index.htm
http://www.heavydutytrucking.com/2005/06/098a0506.asp

Better yet: http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ederal+funding

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehicles...twork_news.pdf

IdleAire Receives Three Grants for Advanced Truck Stop Electrification
EPA funding will allow Gary, Indiana, to be home to Indiana’s first ‘electrified’ truck stop in an
attempt to limit extended truck idling. Construction of the truck stop will begin this year with
technology provided by IdleAire Technologies Corp. The facility is expected to improve air
quality, reduce noise, and conserve fuel by eliminating the need to idle on site. The truck stop
will cost $835,000, with funding provided by Federal, State, and private sources. IdleAire will
contribute $375,000 towards construction; $125,000 will come from an EPA truck stop
electrification demonstration grant in 2002, while the remaining funds will be provided by the
Indiana Department of Environmental Management. EPA anticipates that in 2005, there will be
40 such demonstration projects nationwide. Further information is available at
http://www.eesi.org/publications/New...te/Jan2005.htm. Source:
Linda Gaines, Argonne National Laboratory

In Pennsylvania, IdleAire has recently been awarded two State grants for advanced truck stop
electrification. Under the Energy Harvest initiative, the company received $360,000 to electrify a
truck stop in Carlisle. Under the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant program, IdleAire received
$540,000 to install electric power units at an as yet undetermined truck stop. Both grants
require cost reimbursement by the grantee. Further information can be found at
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newsrelea...eryType=Detail. Source:
Ana Gomez, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

So, if there is Federal grants for IdleAire, just who do you think is footing the bill???

 

i like to know how rawlco only burns 1/2 gal an hour at 850 rpm's ?