Almost every owner-operator knows that reducing idle time is a huge fuel saver. The problem, though, is that you’re not going to shut the truck down if you’re only going to end up cold in the winter and hot in the summer. In many areas, though, you may actually have to shut it down thanks to new no-idle laws in cities and states across the country. Is there anything you can do? Absolutely. There are many new technologies available that will help you reduce your idle time considerably. Take a look at a few.
- Automatic Idle Shutdown: Many are looking to this as a first step in reducing idle time. This technology shuts the engine off after five minutes of idling, and it’s available for almost every truck out there today. You can even choose settings like ambient temperature override if the outdoor temperature is too high or too low.
- Cab Heaters and Auxiliary Air Conditioners: These utilize engine coolant a 12-volt battery that is charged by the alternator, or diesel, and they offer warmth and cooling power, but not the power to run TVs and computers.
- APUs: These are the most powerful choices out there today. You can select from a diesel fueled model or those that run on batteries. The diesel fueled choices are the most powerful on the market today, but the electric models are far quieter and don’t add to fuel use costs. The key is careful use of power so the batteries aren’t too stressed.
If you’d like to consider one of these technologies or you just want to discuss how to reduce idle time, contact us today to set up an appointment and learn more.