LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Drawing on more than eight decades of history in the power generation market, Kohler Power System is expanding its product line to include an auxiliary power unit (APU) for the heavy-duty trucking industry.

The new Kohler 5-kilowatt APU was unveiled during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. from March 22 to 24.

Perhaps best known for its kitchen and bath products, Kohler also provides complete power systems, including generators (stationary, mobile, residential and marine), automatic transfer switches, switchgear, monitoring controls and accessories; for emergency, prime power and energy-management applications.

Kohler has stepped into the APU market to offer trucking fleets, OEMs and truck owner/operators an air-cooled APU in the 5kW, side-rail mounted size. The air-cooled, self-contained engine means less intrusion into the trucks critical systems.

Weve kept the truck owners needs in mind when designing this new APU, said Chris Baldwin, director-Kohler Mobile Generator Business. When you start to tinker with the trucks original system people tend to get a bit nervous.

Understanding that compactness is crucial, Kohler designed its first APU product as a lightweight air-cooled generator, weighing in at less than 340 pounds.

The Kohler APU offers 120-volt AC and 50-Amp DC power and is designed with a direct-drive alternator a direct connection between the engine and alternator.

By eliminating the alternator belts found on competitive models, Kohler is able to offer increased reliability and reduced maintenance issues, explained company officials. Additionally, the Kohler APU has an oil service interval of 500 hours to reduce standard maintenance costs.

We are offering a space-saving, fuel efficient product that keeps installation and maintenance costs to a minimum, said Baldwin. The Kohler APU provides the peace of mind that comes with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use, backed by an industry-leading distribution and service network of more than 500 Kohler distributors and dealers throughout North America.

The Kohler Advanced Digital Controller will come standard on the new APU product, which allows the driver to start and stop the generator, and adjust the heating and cooling from inside the cab. The digital controller also features an easy-to-read LED screen that displays up to 13 operational conditions.

Additional features of the new Kohler APU include a custom sound-attenuated enclosure for quiet operation, and a full in-cab, climate control system providing both heating and cooling output with a remote digital gauge for in-cab monitoring and operation. The Kohler-branded, under-the-bunk HVAC system provides 14,000 BTU/hour of cooling and 2.5 kW of electric heating capacity, completely independent of the trucks climate control system.

The unit is currently available for order through Kohler dealers and distributors with production to begin in April.