Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/596928
November 2015 | Overdrive | 57 EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT APUS to the roadway to capture kinetic energy as a truck moves. "It's the same concept as a hybrid vehicle where the sys- tem captures brake energy," Dierickx says. The wheel powers a series of four alternators producing 540 watts of energy to charge the battery bank in two hours at 60 mph. Once the system is fully charged, the wheel retracts, and the APU deliv- ers up to 12 hours of in-cab energy and climate control. "Trends in the APU market are hard to predict, but are not very far behind the automotive industry," Sararus says. "There are many electric units in the marketplace that can deliver air conditioning and heat- ing, but an electric unit still is not capable of providing what a diesel-powered APU can in terms of multifunction convenience and cooling and heating demands." Sararus says RigMaster is in the final stage of unveiling its Hybrid APU system designed to provide the best of both worlds: energy savings and premium comfort. He says the company expects to have it ready for sale early next year. "This new concept will cover all customer expectations and require- ments – a compact, lightweight, powerful cooling and heating system, able to charge the truck batteries and power management system at a minimal maintenance cost and a high return on the investment," he says. Untitled-10 1 10/19/15 1:58 PM RigMaster customers have said their APUs save money and make living on the road more like living at home.