HOTSTART APU Features Tier 4 Final Engine and New Cab Heat Option

Spokane, Wash. – HOTSTART, an international engine heating technology company, recently upgraded its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for the locomotive market with a three cylinder, Yanmar Tier 4 Final compliant engine. The new engine offers greater horsepower than its two cylinder predecessor which in turn provides increased heat output for effectively heating vital engine fluids and maintaining the temperature of the prime mover in cold weather. Utilizing a Tier 4 Final engine, the HOTSTART APU is more fuel efficient while further reducing NOx and particulate emissions compared to Tier 3 engines.

The latest generation of HOTSTART’s APU features a cab heat function. Powered by the APU’s 72-volt DC, 80-ampere alternator, it can power existing cab strip heaters up to 3-kilowatts. In addition, the APU will also charge locomotive batteries. The APU is also available with an Automatic Engine Start/Stop (AESS) interface and is compatible with third party remote monitoring devices.

HOTSTART’s APU allows an idling locomotive to be shut down in cold weather at any location. It is a self-contained system that runs off the locomotive’s diesel fuel supply, keeping the prime mover warm and ready to restart. The three cylinder engine consumes ½ gallon per hour (2 liters per hour) of diesel fuel on average, depending on ambient temperature. While the locomotive is shut down, the APU automatically starts to maintain coolant and oil temperatures and battery charge. It is small enough to install on the walkway, inside the car body or in the nose of the locomotive.

Cold temperatures force railroads to keep their locomotives constantly idling, resulting in harmful emissions and excessive consumption of fuel. It’s not uncommon for engines to idle for days or weeks at a time. HOTSTART’s idle reduction heating systems keep the entire locomotive’s water system warm during shutdowns, eliminating the need to idle. “The larger three cylinder engine provides ample heat power to keep locomotives warm in very cold conditions. Aside from the fuel savings, customers will see a significant reduction in engine wear,” says Jason Barnes, Senior Market Manager for HOTSTART’s railroad division. “Shutting down the locomotive during its entire layover period as opposed to repeated start-ups and shut-downs really helps to prolong battery life and extend the life of the starter as well,” Barnes added.