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What about those solar panels I'm seeing on top of trucks lately

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Oct 11, 2018 #1
    TruckRunner

    TruckRunner Heavy Load Member

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    They finally took my idea as I had a 100watt solar panel on my dash for years. So that solar panel is part of an electic APU? Anyone know the name of it so I can check it out thanks.
     
    TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018
    TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018
    #1
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  3. Oct 11, 2018 #2
    boneebone

    boneebone Road Train Member

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    ITMECO - One stop shop for all your trucking needs. Solar APU provider.

    I called them up a month ago, they're about $8k installed with A/C, heater and four AGM batteries.
     
    boneebone, Oct 11, 2018
    boneebone, Oct 11, 2018
    #2
    Oldironfan and TruckRunner Thank this.
  4. Oct 11, 2018 #3
    TruckRunner

    TruckRunner Heavy Load Member

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    I was told I have a bunk heater but not A/C without idle. Not sure how that even works I will have to see. I wonder if that can be converted to this new solar setup
     
    TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018
    TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018
    #3
  5. Oct 11, 2018 #4
    Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Bunk heater works off your batteries.

    Wrench tells me the electric APU'S are garbage for cooling.
     
    Dave_in_AZ, Oct 11, 2018
    Dave_in_AZ, Oct 11, 2018
    #4
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  7. Oct 11, 2018 #5
    TruckRunner

    TruckRunner Heavy Load Member

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    I thought it was the opposite. In my current truck bunk works off diesel which is what the exhaust pipe is for and you can see smoke blow out of it in the winter. With the A/C the compressor and fan on the top kicks on using electricity. Heat takes a ton of electricity but a flame is easy heat.
     
    TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018
    TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018
    #5
    06driver Thanks this.
  8. Oct 11, 2018 #6
    Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    How do you suppose the diesel is ignited?
     
    Dave_in_AZ, Oct 11, 2018
    Dave_in_AZ, Oct 11, 2018
    #6
    ColumbiaBoB Thanks this.
  9. Oct 11, 2018 #7
    06driver

    06driver Road Train Member

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    We had some at Titan that did ok for electric apu cooling. But it would only last about 10 hours when in Texas, Arizona, California


    Fine for what we did but anyone taking a break on the road would have been screwed.
     
    06driver, Oct 11, 2018
    06driver, Oct 11, 2018
    #7
  10. Oct 11, 2018 #8
    06driver

    06driver Road Train Member

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    Espars use electricity at start up but should run all night only drawing a minimal draw for the fans.
     
    06driver, Oct 11, 2018
    06driver, Oct 11, 2018
    #8
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  11. Oct 11, 2018 #9
    Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Mine usually runs for 4 or 5 hours in the dead of winter, then the apu will kick on for 20 or 30 minutes to charge the batteries.

    But after that first start up, it will kick on every few hours.

    And if I'm doing like a 34 or something it will run longer and longer.

    Truck always starts though lol.

    But if there's no power to glow that filament, I hope you got a good sleeping bag.
     
    Dave_in_AZ, Oct 11, 2018
    Dave_in_AZ, Oct 11, 2018
    #9
  12. Oct 11, 2018 #10
    TruckRunner

    TruckRunner Heavy Load Member

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    The methane from the turds in the Pilot parking lot
     
    TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018
    TruckRunner, Oct 11, 2018
    #10
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