How To Choose The Right Idle Mitigation System?
For long-haul trucking, the driver’s comfort plays a very crucial role. Sometimes, they have to run their engines to keep them warm or cool while the truck is not in motion. However, long-duration idling is expensive for the truck driver, fleet owner, as well as the environment.
Taking the point into consideration, this blog is created. It is an in-depth overview of the steps that can help choose the right idle mitigation system.
What is an Idle Mitigation System?
When an idle mitigation system is installed in a vehicle or heavy-duty machinery, the process of idling gets eliminated or reduced for a longer time. Some also offer an alternative source of energy that helps in the working of onboard applications like light, heaters, and air conditioners even after the engine is off.
This system tends to have the following features:
- It does not require any outline maintenance.
- Because of reduced idling, the DPF regenerations also tend to minimize significantly.
- There is less wear on the powertrain.
- Minimizes emissions for the environment.
- When the conditions are met, it shut down the chassis engine automatically.
- It does not emit or use a lot of fuel and reduces engine noise and exhaust heat during operations.
Benefits of Idle Mitigation System
Idling has some of the benefits given below:
- It decreases fuel and engine maintenance costs.
- Extends the life of the engine.
- Minimizes emissions that prove to be harmful to the environment.
- Enhance the well-being of the operator by reducing the noise levels.
Choosing the Idle Mitigation System: A Buyer’s Checklist
The steps that help in finding an appropriate idle mitigation system are as follows:
- First, the operator has to conduct a controlled test that will help them in determining the number of idle trucks and the cost required for idling them. During this process, they have to conduct both the long-term idling for the rest periods and the short-term for the workdays.
- Then, they have to generate these system acceptance criteria that will define their company’s crucial features. It will include performance expectations, initial costs, an expected payback period, service, and part support, installation time, and many more.
- They have to survey the available idle mitigation solutions so that they can acquire the one that specifically meets their criteria.
- The next step is talking to the suppliers to understand every system appropriately.
- They should also check for the available grants, special project funds, tax credits, or equipment weight exemptions so that they can counterbalance the purchase price of the system.
- They can also compare the systems side-by-side if possible. Test all the systems in both hot and cold weather.
- If the operator is purchasing an aftermarket system, they need to consult the truck OEM for any packages available to streamline the installation process. It will extensively help them in reducing labor costs.
Conclusion
In the end, suppliers are constantly improving and enhancing their systems or even partnering with other companies to add more functions and features. By interacting with the supplier or Truck OEM, they will be able to identify the things that can be done to meet their needs.