Idling of Utility Bucket Trucks Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 @ 6:41 pm

Q.		I sell new Versalift bucket Trucks. Many of my customers are beginning to talk about ACPU’s to combat the idling of the trucks- most are F-550’s or similar trucks all the way up to class 8. What kind of a unit do you recommend we install to help with emmissions and can these run 7-13gpm pumps […]

A.		I’m sure for the most part that you are probably idling for heat. If that is the case I would recommend the installation of Espar fuel Operated Heaters. These heating systems are very small and can fit into the palm of your hand, weighing about 5-7 lbs. They run off of the existing fuel tank and are quiet easily installed. Our applications cover all the vehicle models and sizes that you mention in your question. It would be the same unit for the F-550 as the Class 8 truck. The units are the Airtronic D2 bunk heater and the Hydronic 5 engine pre-heater. Both these systems run independently of the engine and don’t interfer with any other system.

Trailer Heaters Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 @ 4:11 pm

Q.		John, We are still looking for a viable alternative to Carrier Solara and Thermo-King Heat King for Full Trailer Loads hauling flammables that run in regions that we feel do not require the diesel with heat exchanger design. Must have DOT exemption.

A.		Well I had to do a little research on this one. I visited the web sites to understand what these units you are talking about did. Essentially they are generator sets that can provide heat and cool if they have too. Smaller gen sets are quite popular in the truck market now as anti-idling devices providing the creature comforts of home to drivers. Some consider them APU’s. To answer your question , the only thing I can think of and recommend is using a high heat out put forced air heater like Espar’s D8LC, http://www.espar.com/html/products/D8LC.html It is quite capable of heating a 53 foot trailer and runs very much like your home furnace. It does not have the exchangers like the larger generator units. It does however need a supply of diesel fuel to run.

percentage time on idling Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

Q.		We recently started watching our idling time very closely and have reduced our numbers greatly but would like to do better. What is the an acceptable percentage time for idling.

A.		A few years ago the average idle times were between 40 - 50%, that is and was staggering. With new initiatives and regulations we’ve seen these numbers come down to around 30-40%, however I know there are fleets who are religious about not idling engines and they have gotten them down to as low as 7-10%. One very large fleet that we have worked with in the past and continue to today has there idle time in at 19% and they are happy about that. So I would say to you that 15-20% would be a good target.

Cab heating Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 @ 12:17 pm

Q.		1. We are looking for cab heating gear for construction equipment (loaders, tractors etc) What is our best option. We would also like to include engine heating as part of the system. 2. What is out there for auxilary power units? What types of accessory drag will these take off of […]

A.		Your beet option is a combination package of a fuel operated bunk heater (cab) and a fuel operated engine pre-heater. The bunk heater draws fuel from the existing fuel tank and burns it in a heat exchanger, it is the most efficient and economical way of heating mobile applications such as off-highway vehicles. Both the units I’m talking about are independent of the engine. The engine pre-heater is plumbed into the coolants lines and it has its own coolant pump which circulates the coolant through the block. It is controlled via a timer so can be set in advance so that the engine is warm before operator gets to the vehicle. There is absolutely no strain on the engines with these types of technologies. There is a small amp draw from the battery. Have a look at this link for a more in depth understanding. http://www.espar.com/html/applications/offhighway.html

GRANTS FOR ANTI IDLING OH Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 @ 8:46 am

Q.		DO YOU KNOW IF OH HAS ANY GRANTS FOR ANTI-IDLING? WE RECENTLY INSTALLED NITE SYSTEMS ON OUR 3 TRUCKS ALONG WITH ESPAR HEATING SYSTEM. THANKS, KEN PRICE

A.		Hi Ken, I include for you a link that will take you to a monthly publication that outlines available funding by states. It is called National Idling Reduction Network News and is run under the D.O.E.’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy department. A friend of our industry, Terry Levinson publishes it monthly. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/resources/fcvt_national_idling.html