Mack adds factory-installed Idle Free eAPU as option for 70-inch sleeper

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Mack Trucks is offering a factory-installed electric auxiliary power unit (eAPU) for Anthem and Pinnacle models spec'd with a 70-inch sleeper.

The Phillips and Temro Idle Free Series 5000 eAPU offers customers increased air-cooling capacity, reduced idling and simplified maintenance. Stu Russoli, Mack Trucks highway product manager, said the Idle Free eAPU features a 10,000 BTU compressor and three-speed evaporator fan to direct the airflow to the sleeper without duct work, allowing the driver to easily adjust temperature and fan speed from the control panel located on the evaporator in the bunk. The Trojan AGM battery can keep the sleeper 73 degrees (from am 83-degree ambient temperature) for 9 hours. 

The unit is recharged while the truck is driving but an optional automatic start-stop kit, which allows the truck to automatically idle to recharge the batteries, turning the engine off when they are fully charged, is available as an option. 

Russoli said the unit can be recharged in 90 minutes once it's depleted or 3 hours if battery is completely drained. 

Jason Cannon has written about trucking and transportation for more than a decade and serves as Chief Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. A Class A CDL holder, Jason is a graduate of the Porsche Sport Driving School, an honorary Duckmaster at The Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee, and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Reach him at [email protected].Â