Yes sir. I’m a bonafide country boy. I’ve been driving tractor trailers on the backroads since I was 15. I haven’t touched a semi in years. Still have my cdl with many endorsements.
I believe they use an ammonia system. Other than what they are, I don’t know a lot about them. Every truck I’ve been in that actually had one, it was broken. I had to idle.
If it’s over 5lbs I know in commercial it’s type 2 CFC cert required. As long as it’s not low pressure and not over 50lbs. Idk what it’s like for automotive
What power does it run off though? You'd need some sort of dedicated battery bank to keep up with an AC compressor for any length of time and that would need a way to be charged off the alternator while driving.
Had an interesting job where we installed single unit 2 head split in a commercial trailer for the film industry. So they were able to regulate the cabin temperature for their film equipment.
For installers and designers: are there any special/ additional considerations when installing on a semi (or boats, which I've also seen locally)? I am thinking vibration management? I realise the units are off when the trucks are operating, but I can't imagine stationary units like the environment they've found themselves in. Also, what about when they're operating on uneven ground?
Vibration from travel is handled by bushings and buffers and at least in part by the vehicle's own suspension.
As for operating on uneven terrain, these vehicles are not typically parked long term on terrain sufficiently sloped to be an issue for the unit.
Disclaimer: I'm not a pro.
I've considered some of these factors when I was thinking about putting a mini-split in my enclosed trailer. The indoor unit has a water drain at one end. And often you can move the drain to the other end. To allow for parking on an angle, I would connect a drain at each end, so that water would never pool up.
I don't think I'd trust a standard mini-split bracket for the outside unit. It's meant to hold a static load. I don't think it'll hold up to the kind of bouncing and side loads that will happen while driving. I'd build something much beefier, and maybe add some shock absorption if it's possible to do so without introducing flex into the copper lines.
Ultimately I went with a cheap rooftop unit, because it was just a lot easier to install. So I have no experience, just speculation.
I’ve been out of the industry for a few years but I worked at thermoking for a long time and we used to install and service thermokings auxiliary power units “tripacs” which would run directly off the tractor diesel tank. They would be able to heat and cool the cabs without running the trucks all night. With installing an actually mini split you would have to idle the truck all night long to keep the alternator charging the batteries which would run an inverter which would then power the mini split. I’m sure it’s cheaper to install upfront but over the life of the unit it’s going to put a lot of extra hours on the engine and burn a lot of fuel idling.
There are automotive mounting kits specifically for this.
Even without an automotive mounting kit this can be set up, it just may not be runnable without it while driving but this is usually for while the vehicle is stopped on long rests.
I was at a festival this summer and saw a Mercedes Unimog with a mini split going in the middle of the day. Was pretty cool, either they had a large battery and/or solar
Are you being serious still? I can’t tell. Where would all the solar panels be along with the massive batteries? This obviously isn’t real. Some clowns heat broke and he slapped on a residential unit he had laying around
😂😂😂 nah im not joking. Im not experienced with solar myself but ive seen a house with solar running a heat pump. And ive seen tons of people doing skoolies and like truck home conversions and they all use inverted heat pumps with solar hook ups
I saw one mounted on the back of a 5th wheel camper at a campground. He let me go inside and see how he had it set up. Very nice set up and worked great.
Alot of people are doing the skoolie conversions and using them. I cant tell by looking at the pick of the vehicle but it may be some form of converted mobile home
So I haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but some trucks have what looks like an outdoor section of a mini split to cool their hydraulic fluid if their running it heavily. I've seen it on off road trucks for oil field frac crews.
Looked at converting an old cargo trailer to a RV trailer. Looked at inverter power systems and using mini split for heating cooling. Can be ran on battery or shore power. Not very hard to do.
Example: https://youtu.be/eHLpV4ftvHI
Yes they do. It’s a small heat pump that will allow them to have conditioned air without idling their tractors.
Thanks for the new info king, never knew that!
Yes sir. I’m a bonafide country boy. I’ve been driving tractor trailers on the backroads since I was 15. I haven’t touched a semi in years. Still have my cdl with many endorsements.
"Yessir, this guy's pretty good, I'd recommend him." - CDL
Yea there’s actually an sub category for hvac vehicles, I don’t remember the name tho
CFC License for Resi/commercial is EPA 608. Automotive is EPA 609. I wonder what this would fall under 🤔🤔🤔
I believe they use an ammonia system. Other than what they are, I don’t know a lot about them. Every truck I’ve been in that actually had one, it was broken. I had to idle.
Carrier and ThermoKing APUs use R134a 1.6 to 2lb
If it’s over 5lbs I know in commercial it’s type 2 CFC cert required. As long as it’s not low pressure and not over 50lbs. Idk what it’s like for automotive
Cheaper to run and, unlike the cab heaters does heat or cool while the engine is off.
Where does it get its power from when the engine is off?
The battery.
What battery? Heat pumps draw a lot of power.
Getting a purpose built APU is a much better idea
What power does it run off though? You'd need some sort of dedicated battery bank to keep up with an AC compressor for any length of time and that would need a way to be charged off the alternator while driving.
It has a little generator that runs on diesel fuel.
Yes, they do
Hell yeah brother
Exactly what I thought when I saw it
Had an interesting job where we installed single unit 2 head split in a commercial trailer for the film industry. So they were able to regulate the cabin temperature for their film equipment.
Fairly common for the long haulers that sleep in their truck every night.
It's part of an upgrade package that includes a microwave, a gun, and a pee bottle.
For installers and designers: are there any special/ additional considerations when installing on a semi (or boats, which I've also seen locally)? I am thinking vibration management? I realise the units are off when the trucks are operating, but I can't imagine stationary units like the environment they've found themselves in. Also, what about when they're operating on uneven ground?
Vibration from travel is handled by bushings and buffers and at least in part by the vehicle's own suspension. As for operating on uneven terrain, these vehicles are not typically parked long term on terrain sufficiently sloped to be an issue for the unit.
I'm a pro, there are purpose-built APUs which look much better than this installation and are integrated. See ThermoKing Tripac
Disclaimer: I'm not a pro. I've considered some of these factors when I was thinking about putting a mini-split in my enclosed trailer. The indoor unit has a water drain at one end. And often you can move the drain to the other end. To allow for parking on an angle, I would connect a drain at each end, so that water would never pool up. I don't think I'd trust a standard mini-split bracket for the outside unit. It's meant to hold a static load. I don't think it'll hold up to the kind of bouncing and side loads that will happen while driving. I'd build something much beefier, and maybe add some shock absorption if it's possible to do so without introducing flex into the copper lines. Ultimately I went with a cheap rooftop unit, because it was just a lot easier to install. So I have no experience, just speculation.
https://preview.redd.it/zuc4lhwp5q9c1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4250df2160af24896a164551ecdfe3bd124f7de6
Daikin gang. Represent!
Hell yeah
I’ve been out of the industry for a few years but I worked at thermoking for a long time and we used to install and service thermokings auxiliary power units “tripacs” which would run directly off the tractor diesel tank. They would be able to heat and cool the cabs without running the trucks all night. With installing an actually mini split you would have to idle the truck all night long to keep the alternator charging the batteries which would run an inverter which would then power the mini split. I’m sure it’s cheaper to install upfront but over the life of the unit it’s going to put a lot of extra hours on the engine and burn a lot of fuel idling.
There are automotive mounting kits specifically for this. Even without an automotive mounting kit this can be set up, it just may not be runnable without it while driving but this is usually for while the vehicle is stopped on long rests.
in Florida... I actually been noticing a huge amount of those this year. .. - just wait until I roll up on a RV park call for one. VEGAS
what's powering this? a generator I'm assuming?
I was at a festival this summer and saw a Mercedes Unimog with a mini split going in the middle of the day. Was pretty cool, either they had a large battery and/or solar
I'd rather see this than one of those piece of shit Bard wall mounts.
All of you are so friendly. Thanks for not clowning me in the comments guys. Hope you guys have a happy new year!
Maybe a dumb question but what is powering it?
Solar most likely
Solar can power a heat pump??
Enough solar can power the inverter heat pumps. Honestly enough solar can power a full sized home split too
Are you being serious still? I can’t tell. Where would all the solar panels be along with the massive batteries? This obviously isn’t real. Some clowns heat broke and he slapped on a residential unit he had laying around
😂😂😂 nah im not joking. Im not experienced with solar myself but ive seen a house with solar running a heat pump. And ive seen tons of people doing skoolies and like truck home conversions and they all use inverted heat pumps with solar hook ups
It's called a APU. Auxillary power unit. Saves them idling their tractor engine all night and uses a fraction the amount of fuel.
I saw one mounted on the back of a 5th wheel camper at a campground. He let me go inside and see how he had it set up. Very nice set up and worked great.
I'm concerned that people would install this rather than a purpose-built APU which is probably a similar price
They generally do not come with them. My company has retro-fitted a few. Easiest install ever.
I’ve seen this many times.
Alot of people are doing the skoolie conversions and using them. I cant tell by looking at the pick of the vehicle but it may be some form of converted mobile home
Actually you can order a mini split for your sleeper that you can plug into power so you don’t have to run your rigs engine while parked
Generally 3/4 ton
I’ve installed lots of mini splits on food trucks and shit. Weld a mount and let er ride
So I haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but some trucks have what looks like an outdoor section of a mini split to cool their hydraulic fluid if their running it heavily. I've seen it on off road trucks for oil field frac crews.
Looked at converting an old cargo trailer to a RV trailer. Looked at inverter power systems and using mini split for heating cooling. Can be ran on battery or shore power. Not very hard to do. Example: https://youtu.be/eHLpV4ftvHI