Carrier Transicold’s new lithium-ion APU

Carrier Transicold said it has raised the bar for electric auxiliary power unit (APU) performance with its new lithium-ion ComfortPro electric model that delivers double the air conditioning runtime provided by some competitive conventional battery-powered APUs.

Carrier Transicold’s new lithium-ion battery-powered ComfortPro electric APU is designed to provide longer runtimes and more than double the life of conventional AGM batteries typically used in electric APUs.

“The new ComfortPro model is the first electric APU capable of providing cab cooling for extended periods formerly only achieved by diesel-powered units, thanks to its extended-capacity lithium-ion batteries and proprietary embedded power management system,” said Ryan Rubly, product manager, power management systems, Truck Trailer Americas, Carrier Transicold.

Carrier Transicold said the ComfortPro APU can deliver 7500 BTU/hours of cab cooling, which it said can double the runtime provided by some competitive absorbent glass mat (AGM) battery powered electric APUs. The unit can provide continuous air conditioning that extends well beyond what is required for overnight rest breaks and up to 17 hours under certain real-world conditions, the company said.

The unit also has relatively few moving parts, eliminating the maintenance required of diesel-powered APUs, Carrier Transicold said. In addition, the lithium-ion batteries are designed to charge faster with less performance degradation over time compared to conventional AGM batteries.

Equipped with two DOT-certified lithium-ion batteries, the new APU is 26% lighter than Carrier Transicold’s standard electric APU, which uses four AGM batteries.

The unit also carries a five-year lithium-ion battery warranty, and provides more than twice the typical lifespan of AGM batteries, Carrier Transicold said.

All ComfortPro electric APUs include a power plant, an under bunk climate control unit and a programmable control panel incorporating Carrier Transicold’s exclusive Cabin Pre-Cool Lock that helps extend battery life by assuring the preferred cabin temperature is attained before the APU takes over. Available options add heating, power for hotel loads, shore power connectivity and truck engine preheating, so fleets and owner-operators can customize ComfortPro electric APUs to suit specific needs, the company said.