How Technology Can Help to Fix Your Stationary Trucks
In a typically oppressive Australian summer, air-conditioning is in high demand. Unless they're enjoying some outdoor relaxation, people will tend to run from their conditioned office to their conditioned car and into their similarly conditioned home. If you're in charge of a trucking operation you may be very familiar with this problem, as you have to look after your drivers as they spend the overnight hours sleeping in their cabs. While you know that those air-conditioning units use up a lot of energy, you may also be worried because you have to keep the engine idling for long periods of time. What alternatives are available?
Far From Ideal
When a driver has to leave the engine running on idle to power the all-important A/C, this can put a lot of strain on the motor. In the long run, it will certainly add to the cost of maintenance and in the short term, it's going to increase the cost of fuel each day. Furthermore, some jurisdictions are waging a war on engine idling, as they consider it to cause unnecessary pollution both from an environmental point of view and in terms of noise. All in all, it would be good if you could find a suitable alternative.
Viable Options
Perhaps you can allow these drivers to finally switch that engine off and introduce an auxiliary power unit instead. Some of these are heavy duty and battery operated and may be able to take over all of this responsibility by themselves.
It's also possible to install a battery-powered A/C system that is custom-made to keep air temperatures at comfortable levels. These units will typically use an advanced AGM battery, which can be recharged by the truck when driving recommences.
If you want to go a step further, install a special management system to monitor the condition of the battery and be prepared to fire the engine if need be to get maximum efficiency. You can even program these systems to observe truck idling policies, so your driver does not run into trouble. These products may also help you avoid a nasty, compliance letter, just because your driver fell asleep and forgot to stick to the policy.
Interim Work
While you consider installing these particular gadgets, make sure that your vehicle is tuned correctly so that it can idle efficiently if called upon. Make sure that you get truck repairs on a regular basis until you decide on your course of action.