Midlands Carrier Transicold has signed an agreement to sell, install, and service the Idle Free electric APU, manufactured by Idle Free Systems.
An auxiliary power unit (APU) is an aftermarket component that can be added to a Class 8 over-the-road truck, which pulls a trailer with or without a TRU, to help the driver reduce discretionary idling.
The Idle Free electric APU differs from other idle-elimination solutions because it is the most complete system available. It meets all driver needs -- heat, air conditioning and electricity needs -- without jeopardizing the productivity of the truck. The Idle Free APU is the only complete electric APU on the market.
Zach Willett, of Midlands Carrier Transicold says that adding the Idle Free electric APU to its offering of aftermarket products reflects its commitment to offering the most advanced auxiliary power system available.
"We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best technology on the market," says Willett. "Our goal is to help customers find the most reliable products offering the best return on investment; the Idle Free APU was a natural choice."
How it works
Robert Hopton, CEO of Idle Free Systems Inc, says that being able to provide a means to eliminate all of the reasons that drivers idle trucks is one of main differentiating factors of the Idle Free APU.
"Heat, air conditioning, hotel needs and engine pre-heat. These are why drivers idle the trucks. We designed a comprehensive, integrated APU solution that addresses all of these needs, completely eliminating the need for drivers to idle the truck," he said.
In addition to being the most complete, the Idle Free APU is also one of the most efficient APUs on the market. This is because the system runs on alternating current.
Electric APUs that run on direct current suffer from lower efficiency, which translates to shorter APU battery life, less run time, and, most problematic, the risk that the APU could jeopardize the truck's ability to start. D/C-based systems, due to their higher amperage draw for the air conditioner, rely on the truck's starter batteries as an additional power source to run the APU. Operating the APU risks draining the truck's starter batteries and therefore not being able to start the truck, thus negatively impacting productivity.
Idle Free's A/C-based electric APU, on the other hand, is a more efficient system, resulting in longer APU battery life and completely eliminating any need to use the truck's starter batteries to power the APU. The A/C-based system means the truck's batteries will never be drained by the APU.
The Reefer Link technology is a patented version of the Idle Free APU system that helps make energy from the reefer unit available to drivers for unlimited run-time of the Idle Free APU.
The refrigeration units on the trailers used to transport perishable loads are powered by 50 hp diesel engines that are mounted to the front of the trailer. These reefer units have their own 12 volt electrical systems that are separate from the truck's electrical system. When a truck is equipped with an Idle Free electric APU that includes the patented Reefer Link technology, it can be connected to the reefer unit's electrical system to take advantage of the excess electric energy being created.
Expanding network
Idle Free Systems is steadily expanding its network of sales and service dealers throughout the country.
Hopton says that the addition of Midlands Carrier Transicold to its growing dealer network is helpful in providing nation-wide coverage to support sales and service of the Idle Free System.
"We are very pleased to add Midlands Carrier Transicold to our growing team of Idle Free dealers," he said. "Their focus on providing productive and cost-saving options for their customers fits well with our goal of expanding the availability of the Idle Free APU in the Midwest. It is definitely a win-win situation and we look forward to working with them and their customers."
