Propane Consumption Facts
LifeForce APUs consume a high average of .5 GPH of propane -
depending on the load factor. .5 GPH represents a 40% load factor, or
1800 continuous watts. The AC units draw between 850 and 1300 watts.
When the AC compressor cycles "on", there is a temporary load (surge)
that occurs, which draws a little more than 2X the wattage for about a
second. The running wattage then decreases after the compressor has
started. Our average consumption to run the AC unit by itself is about .40
GPH. Modern laptop computers consume less than 50 watts, 27" or
smaller TV's less than 100 watts, coolers are about 50 watts, and lights in
the truck are usually 40 watts each (less if you go to LED lights). If you
have your AC or heater on, and the TV, computer, cooler, and interior
lights on, the load will be about 40% (1700 to 1800 watts), which is where
we get the .5 GPH consumption. It is seldom, however, that we have all
of these appliances on at the same time. We use .5 GPH as a high
average.
We realize that many of the diesel APUs claim their consumption to be .2
GPH (even less for one or two of them). But their motor manufacture
specifications do not support these claims. They calculate this
consumption by taking an "average", including the no-idle time that the
APU is not running! Whew! By tapping the truck's large diesel tank, it is
difficult for the trucker to discern the real truth. Regardless, if you have
your own bulk propane tank, or visit one of the growing number of
LifeForce strategic Propane partners, Propane will cost you 40% to 60%
less than diesel fuel. This puts our $-comparable fuel consumption at a
comparable .25 GPH - leaving little, if any, advantage to diesel APUs. Two
30lb. Propane tanks hold about 15 gallons of propane. At .5 GPH
consumption, the tanks will run the APU for about 30 hours. At an
average of 8 hours per day of use, the tanks will last close to 4 days
before they need refilling. The law provides that up to 220 lbs. of extra
fuel can be carried on the truck without DOT placarding. That would be 5
extra tanks. The point is that drivers can carry extra tanks on trips that
will keep them on the road for more than 3-4 days. Optionally, the truck
can be equipped with a larger - 20 to 50 gal. tanks. Propane is available
at over 900 truck stops in the the US and Canada, and at thousands of
other fueling locations nationwide. Just fill the propane while you're
fueling your rig.
LifeForce APUs consume a high average of .5 GPH of propane -
depending on the load factor. .5 GPH represents a 40% load factor, or
1800 continuous watts. The AC units draw between 850 and 1300 watts.
When the AC compressor cycles "on", there is a temporary load (surge)
that occurs, which draws a little more than 2X the wattage for about a
second. The running wattage then decreases after the compressor has
started. Our average consumption to run the AC unit by itself is about .40
GPH. Modern laptop computers consume less than 50 watts, 27" or
smaller TV's less than 100 watts, coolers are about 50 watts, and lights in
the truck are usually 40 watts each (less if you go to LED lights). If you
have your AC or heater on, and the TV, computer, cooler, and interior
lights on, the load will be about 40% (1700 to 1800 watts), which is where
we get the .5 GPH consumption. It is seldom, however, that we have all
of these appliances on at the same time. We use .5 GPH as a high
average.
We realize that many of the diesel APUs claim their consumption to be .2
GPH (even less for one or two of them). But their motor manufacture
specifications do not support these claims. They calculate this
consumption by taking an "average", including the no-idle time that the
APU is not running! Whew! By tapping the truck's large diesel tank, it is
difficult for the trucker to discern the real truth. Regardless, if you have
your own bulk propane tank, or visit one of the growing number of
LifeForce strategic Propane partners, Propane will cost you 40% to 60%
less than diesel fuel. This puts our $-comparable fuel consumption at a
comparable .25 GPH - leaving little, if any, advantage to diesel APUs. Two
30lb. Propane tanks hold about 15 gallons of propane. At .5 GPH
consumption, the tanks will run the APU for about 30 hours. At an
average of 8 hours per day of use, the tanks will last close to 4 days
before they need refilling. The law provides that up to 220 lbs. of extra
fuel can be carried on the truck without DOT placarding. That would be 5
extra tanks. The point is that drivers can carry extra tanks on trips that
will keep them on the road for more than 3-4 days. Optionally, the truck
can be equipped with a larger - 20 to 50 gal. tanks. Propane is available
at over 900 truck stops in the the US and Canada, and at thousands of
other fueling locations nationwide. Just fill the propane while you're
fueling your rig.
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| Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. LifeForce Energy Corporation 485 Victor Way, Salinas, California 93907. (831) 422-2290 (831) 422-2299-fax |
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