MATS, LOUISVILLE -- Kenworth Idle Management System is now available as an option for the Kenworth T680 with a 76-inch sleeper. The system offers a battery-based auxiliary power unit system for air conditioning that is tied directly into the T680’s ducting system.

“The Kenworth Idle Management System is the most robust, battery-powered system on the market,” said Brett VanVoorhis, Kenworth on-highway marketing manager. “The system eliminates the need to idle the engine to run the HVAC system. That can save about $4 an hour as idling usually burns about one gallon of fuel per hour.”

Combined with a new insulation package for the T680 cab and 76-inch sleeper, the system can provide more than 12 hours of continuous AC performance in typical off-hour downtime. An optional fuel-fired heater provides full engine-off heating capability.

Powered by four dedicated Paccar batteries, the AC system has a small under-bunk footprint to maintain storage space for drivers and passengers. The Kenworth Idle Management System features full on-board controls in the sleeper to control both cooling and heating.

The system is mounted under the bunk, so it requires no additional frame space.

“Once the truck is turned off, the driver simply uses the control panel in the sleeper to maintain the temperature – there are three fan speeds for air flow," said VanVoorhis. "An LCD display gives drivers full system information, plus allows the driver to monitor remaining battery power.”

Once the truck is back on the road, the batteries are recharged to 90 percent capacity in as little as 4-1/2 hours.

Kenworth claims the factory-integrated Idle Management System requires virtually no maintenance.