Question 30 June 17, 2005 @ 12:00 am

Q.		I’m just beginning a project to do outreach to fleet owners in MA and CT to educate them on EPA’s current enforcement of MA and CT’s anti-idling laws, with an eye to helping them comply ahead of enforcement. Can you recommend any forward-looking fleet owners or associations to partner with?

A.		These web addresses of associations should get you started. OOIDA- Owner Operators Independent Drivers Association, http://www.landlinemag.com/ Smartway, a great outreach government run program, try both these links: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/ http://www.epa.gov/smartway/idlingtechnologies.htm Also, the Clean Cities Coalition could be helpful, I'm sure you have one specific to your state/s, you can get great info here: http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/ Here is a list of contacts http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/coordinators.html Finally, in Canada there is a great resource, similar to Smartway but further along, please research the following: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/fleetsmart.cfm Hope this helps. John

Question 29 June 16, 2005 @ 12:00 am

Q.		A few years back, you could get an idle shut down system that would shut the engine down after a preset cool down period. That was all the system did. Some had a timer that the driver could adjust, and some were preset. Does someone still make this type of add on system? We don’t need it to restart the engine after the cab reaches a certain temperature. Thank you….Rick Brittain

A.		This is going back a few years, but i'll do my best to answer you question as I understand it. I believe the product you are talking about is called an Ambient Temperature Sensor, these temperature probes were programmed to shut off an idling truck automatically within a couple of minutes unless the ambient temperature exceeded or was below the set parameters. These probes were available directly from the engine manufacturer. I do not know if they still produce them but if they do here's a start. Caterpillar's Kit was P/N 1330660, Sensor 1060735 Cummins Kit was P/N 3407500, Sensor 3865312 Detorit's Kit was P/N 23518521, Manifold sensor 23515250 If that is not what you're looking for the only other thing I can think of is the Detroit Diesel's Optimized Idle package which you can buy from them when you get their engine. This is pretty much a stop/start package that meausres the interior temperature of the cab and will turn on the engine when it senses that the temperature has fallen below a specific point. Rick, I hope this helps.

Question 28 June 10, 2005 @ 12:00 am

Q.		On this anti-idling thing, has anyone ever explored solar power for the A/C units? Use those small units from horse trailers and campers mounted on the roof… Seems like a given to me…

A.		Truth be told Virgil, I haven't seen any solar powered units in our market place. I did do a web search but turned up nothing related to solar powered anti-ilding devices. One thing that needs to be considered however is that most idling is done at night so whatever device that could be implemented would have to have some sort of reserve capacity within it generating this solar power through the day.

Question 27 May 31, 2005 @ 12:00 am

Q.		DC Airco or similar products, use battery power to power AC unit: How well do they do in 90+ degree weather; How long will a charge last at such temps; Other systems use own batteries, are they better then those using your truck batteries?

A.		There are so many variables when it comes to battery powered products and here are a few things you should think about when spec'ing your product. What size is the cab volume? how many batteries does your truck have? What is the reserve capacity of the batteries? Are the batteries well maintained? Is the cab already cooled or are you brining the temperature down on its own? What works today might give you 1/2 hr less tomorrow. I would recommend that any A/C system that you purchase you should add additional batteries. We do this with the Bergstom AC, commonly know as the "NITE" system. This system comes with a seperator which essentially isolates the system from the starting batteries but charges the additional batteries when the truck is running.

Question 26 May 15, 2005 @ 12:00 am

Q.		a/c units to work with heating units and $ including installation

A.		Richard, please give John Giglio a call at 800-387-4800 ext.2226 and he will be happy to discuss pricing on different packages that include heating, air conditioning and installations.