It's funny that they store onions in the cooler warehouse (ex:SYSCO) , but yet, there are guys out there that haul them on a flatbed.

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the great read. I have learned so much after reading the entire post and really look forward to your thread along with all of the regulars who contribute. Not to mention the entertainment.

You obviousley enjoy your comfort level and cool gadgets. Have you ever considered an idlebuster apu /a/c / heater system for those runs in the warmer climates, heat and 110volt power? I dont have a clue on the price cuz im a newbie but it would be nice to have the convienance unless your happy doing idleaire and running your truck. I think you mentioned you burn 3 galons an hour or something along those lines. :?:

Might take a while to see any savings... What your opinion?

How long did it take to read the 99 pages?

I don't think I burn 3 gallons an hour. I think it's more like 1 gallon. I would like an APU but I'm holding off for a while. I think there is going to be radical changes in not only the design but incentives. There is talk about APU units meeting new EPA guidelines

I did look at the Idlebuster web page. They seem like a new company and the price for a unit is just as expensive as a Rigmaster. I would tend to go with Rigmaster before I went with that place.

Person,

It actually took about 3 weeks or so to read it all. Im going to Walmart to this morning to restock w fruit cups / granola bars. :lol:

There are some really lenghty and technical posts in here that you should have to pay $$ to read IMO. If you can spin a wrench it, im sure it's been CTRL C'd and V'd a few times. (copied / cut / paste keyborad commands for you non computer folks).

I actually purchased " cost per mile made easy" and it doesn't even come close to what's here. I better shut up.Steve's gunna start charging to visit so he can get a new APU.

Really makes you appreciate everyones effort and dedication here.


Steve,

Wow only a gallon per hour. Not bad I guess. I know you have those yellow top batteries but depending on what your doing like surfing the net, T.V. taking a mr coffee bath or making a pot, fridge, staying warm or cool, Do you have a high idle switch to keep up the rpm's when you put a load on the system? or is it even necessary?

I'm pretty sure most trucks use 1 gallon per hour but I've never measured it. I watch TV with my DVD player going, make coffee, laptop plugged in and lights on many times in excess of 8 hours and no problems starting truck. My fridge is not turned on. I use it for storage instead.

I do have a high idle ability which I think most all trucks have using the cruise control but it's not necessary when putting a load on. Keep in mind though that when you drain your batteries down a lot it really puts a strain on the alternator to bring them back to life when you do start the truck. This will eventually cause it to fail much faster than normal usage.

Steve,
Didn't think about the alternator having to work OT to recharge. I am curious if you or anyone else has ever seen a trucker using alternate energy to maintain, regenerate low or depleted batteries. Like a small enclosed (alternator)wind turbine or solar panel that really works well ?

I know It's a whole lot easier buying fuel right now and charging the customer. After reading your fuel costs it seems like we should all be thinking outside of the box to reduce fuel consumption. Especially if the initial investment for an APU or whatever you choose to do pays for itself within a reasonable amount of time. The $$ looks much better in your checking account instead of the billion dollar oil companies.

for heat, you've got (Wabasto etc) bunk heaters as a common economical option so that only leaves the need to cool the cab. I think most folks sleep at night (when it's cooler) so there are relatively few hours of use.....i.e. a long payback period.

According to ECM, my average for 3 years, is 0.71 gallon per hour! :wink:

I use 3 kyocera 130 watt panels that store the power in 2 trojan L-16 deep cycle batteries (740 A/H) running through a Xantrex MS-3000 sine wave inverter. I power:
1.Refrigerator
2.TV/DVD computer/printer/
3.Water pump
4.All interior lights
5.Microwave
6.Smoothie blender
I have tested this setup for 5 days non-stop before the auto APU switch kicks the diesel genny on to charge the batteries up.
In reality,..if I drive during the day and the panels charge up the batteries, the setup should last indefinitly,..untill I sit for 5 days and run everything the whole time, then the genny will charge it up in 10 hrs @ 1/10th gallon fuel per hour,...1 gallon total for 10 hrs running time.
The genny runs a seperate A/C unit while it run and runs through the Xantrex inverter to charge up the battery bank, and truck batteries.
The solar panels also trickle the truck batteries to keep them up to charge,..even though the only thing they do is start the truck.
Putting this together was fun,but then again,...its alsi why I need a sub 9,000lb trailer :lol: .