Idling Alternatives for Truck Climate
Control, Electrification
Assuming
that drivers need climate control and
electrification, what idling alternatives are there?
We
are aware of
these:
- don't idle
and do without both
climate control and electrification (no matter the
temperature, humidity, smells, noise, insects, etc. even if window
screens are used);
- connect to shore
power such as CabAire or IdleAir if it is available (but pay for it,
possibly out
of your own pocket);
- plug into external
electrification (that is, run a power cord from the truck to an
electrical receptacle outside the truck -- although this may not
provide climate control);
- install and use a
diesel-powered auxiliary power unit (APU);
- rely on a battery-powered
climate control device (until the charge on the batteries run
down -- although this may not provide electrification);
- install a generator (assuming
you have the room to mount one on your truck and that it will provide
the functionality you need); or
- go outside the truck (such as
the driver's
lounge at a truck
stop, one of your trucking
company's terminals or get a hotel/motel room).
We plan to discuss APUs as idling alternatives
separately, including aspects such as the
payback,
weight-related issues, maintenance, repair, portability and tax
deductibility.
Assumptions
Assume for a brief moment that a driver wanted
- climate
control and electrification (the creature comforts of setting up his or
her "home
sweet home") and
- a way to help his/her trucking
company save money once idling
costs are calculated,
- but his/her company is not
willing
to foot the bill
to pay for an APU even when summer heat makes a hot
truck.
Besides providing our empowerment
idea, we have envisioned this
proposition.
Trucker-Focused Media
As a courtesy, we are providing links to a number of
articles on the subject from Land
Line Magazine:
- Shore power (June 2002)(1)
If you want to eliminate idling, all you have to do is "plug in"
- Stop Your Engines (December 2005/January 2006)(2)
A buyers' guide to idling solutions
- Idling reduction options (August/September 2006)(3)
List of manufacturers
- Gen sets & APUs (February 2004)(4)
List of manufacturers
- The ABCs of APUs (August/September 2006)(5)
Parameters and Specifications
- More miles (February 2006)(6)
Getting the best fuel mileage possible takes a lot of
knowledge and discipline
- New Day, New Way (August/September 2007)(7)
Idling-reduction solutions
List of manufacturers
- A winner in the war on idling(8)
Idle Free
- American Idle (August/September 2008)(9)
Solutions: Products provide creature comforts
Products and manufacturers
Money saving tip:
From a health-preserving
standpoint, we do not recommend that OTR
drivers suffer in a hot
truck.
Instead, we recommend that you explore viable, low
cost idling
alternatives.
Because you may seldom be parked at a truck
stop
that has systems like Idle Air, a truck-mounted system like an
auxiliary power unit (APU) that is not dependent on the charge on a set
of batteries works best.
Return from Idling Alternatives for Truck Climate Control, Electrification to our Truck Operations page or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
Reference:
1. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2002/June/Features/shore-power.aspx (no longer online)
2. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2005/DecJan/BottomLine/mttstopyourengines.aspx (no longer online)
3. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2006/AugSep/BottomLine/idling-reduction.aspx (no longer online)
4. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2004/Feb/BottomLine/generators-apus.aspx (no longer online)
5. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2006/AugSep/BottomLine/ABC-APU.aspx (no longer online)
6. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2006/Feb/BottomLine/more-miles.aspx (no longer online)
7. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2007/AugSep/BottomLine/solutions.aspx (no longer online)
8. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2003/Oct/Features/member-profile.aspx (no longer online)
9. http://landlinemag.com/Magazine/2008/AugSep/Cover/solutions.aspx (no longer online)