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Why do the big rigs idle all night long?
Does anybody know why some big rigs idle all night long and some don't? Is there a specific reason for this? Is it good for the rig? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks--Deadman
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Hope this Helps
Hunter
Diesels are hard to start on cold mornings. At work we park our diesel forklifts inside then let them run all day outside.
Keep the comments and ideas coming.
Thanks, Deadman
Ether works good on cold mornings if no plug in is available, used it plenty of times on the semi.
Chris
I know it's no big rig, just wanted to share that some of the newer diesels do not have the issues associated with older oil burners. Fuel has not gelled, either, though I wouldn't want to go too low on temps for that one. Actually, fuel that is sent to the engine and not injected into the cylinders is sent back to the tank warmed up, thereby heating the fuel in the tank.
New European diesels kick [non-permissible content removed]
vintner
Vintner's and other drivers got it right...they're left on to heat/cool the bunks and run accessories (TVs, Radios, etc)...try sleeping right next to a reefer that kicks in to cool the trailer...you'll know why accessories are helpful. Try sleeping in a sleeper (especially a coffin) and you'll know why heat/air is necessary; better yet, try two in a bunk.
For example, the parasite load (alternator, A/C compressor) on an inner city bus can be as high as 80 hp. Granted, a sleeper is smaller, but you get the idea.
More recently, some sleeper cabs have Laptop ports, TV's, even satellite systems, all requiring electrical power. The auto shut down and restart functions typically monitor all of the key parameters (voltage, cabin temp, outside temp) and run or shut off the engine accordingly.
At normal temperatures (above, 20 below or something, I don't remember), idling the engine can cause more harm than good, mainly fouling the injectors, screwing up the rings, that sort of thing. They don't produce enough heat at idle to keep things from getting gummed up. At really cold temperatures, these disadvantages may be the lesser of two evils. Either way, a big diesel (Cat, Cummins, Detroit, etc.) is generally meant to be run at 50-80 percent of rated power for several thousand hours between overhauls. A 250hp engine in a car, by contrast, will generally only run at 50 hp or less at 70mph - 20% of rated power. FWIW, this accounts for some of the cost difference between an "industrial grade" diesel (Cummins, Nav, - too soon to tell about the Isuzu) and an automobile derived engine. Given proper maintenance, and some actual use (pulling a camper, horse trailer, etc) either diesel ought to be good for 300,000 - 400,000 miles before an overhaul, and another similar amount after. If you use it to haul kids to soccer practice, it won't go nearly that far. However, with good care 500,000 miles plus before an overhaul is not out of reach (IMO). Some of the 12-15 liter trucks will go close to 1,000,000 miles before an overhaul. The automotive V8s are, by comparison, disposable. Yes, you might get 300,000 miles from one, but if you run it fairly hard, you're probably looking at more like 150,000. This is OK, because the body hardware often gives it up at 200,000 so nobody notices.
Anyway, the main reason the big trucks idle all night is operator comfort, and maybe the sound :-)
Harry
Deadman Pulling