A system for supplying electrical power for use when the vehicle engine is
shut down and configurations of long-haul trucks employing the system are
disclosed. The power system is a battery bank contained within an
insulated enclosure. The batteries are heated when the truck is in
operation with the insulated enclosure maintaining battery temperature
sufficient to provide high battery power capacity for an extended period
after the vehicle is shut down. A large capacitor, rather than the
batteries, provides current for starting the vehicle engine. A dc-to-dc
converter controls the fully charged capacitor voltage and provides
capacitor charging current even when the batteries have been discharged
to a low-voltage condition. The disclosed long-haul truck configurations
include a storage cooler that employs a phase-change medium that is
thermally charged to a low temperature while the truck is in operation
and is used to provide sleeper unit cooling air. Additional provision is
made for heating the sleeper unit and for powering a coolant heater that
can warm the truck engine block and truck fuel when the engine is shut
down during cold weather.