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<center>*There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.*</center>

<center>**- Homer -**</center>
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I used to be able to operate with little sleep - it's a state of mind - I've always been able to find when I've had the need. I love sleep though. A lot. Sleep is restorative and has the ability to shield us somewhat from our troubles, a place to retreat, although one's dreams aren't always wholesome, I guess. Still, I love sleeping and look forward to doing so, always remaining optimistic that *tonight will be the night I get a great sleep*. Usually I don't. 

Earlier this week I spoke to the owner of a large transport and logistics company and sleep was the topic of conversation. 

He just purchased ten new prime movers adding to his already substantial fleet and I was closing out a deal to do some work on them. Trucking is a massive industry here in Australia as our rail network only connects the major centres. Product is shipped into our ports, or made locally, transported across the country to major cities, usually by rail, then distributed far and wide, by many thousands of trucks, to places the rail network simply can't reach.

*Main image above - A self-contained diesel power plant which is the heart of sleeper cabin air conditioning. It hangs on an overhead crane prior to being maneuvered into place.* 

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*Image above - The SleepAir unit almost in its final resting place between the two massive chassis rails, behind the double axles of the of the prime mover. You will note the dolly-pull pin and bar has been removed to get the engine into place. It is replaced later.*

My discussion with the fellow revolved around sleeper-cabin air conditioning; a self-powered air conditioning system that provides air conditioning to the prime mover's sleeper-cab. It's an important accessory and whilst it seems like a comfort item, it's actually a safety item. Whilst it's not the core business of the company I work for I wasn't passing over the opportunity to win this valuable and lucrative work - It's my job to bring develop business. 

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*Above image - The engine and system is completely mounted and installed at this stage and the refrigeration system is being vacuumed to remove all the air and moisture. You will note the dolly-pull has been replaced now. The vac gauges are hanging on it.*

With Australia being so vast truck drivers are on the road for many days at a time and mostly in very remote areas. When I say remote, I mean no one and nothing around for hundreds, often thousands of kilometres, and these operators need to be self-sufficient. Long-haul and line-haul drivers are a breed apart. They operate heavy machinery at high speed and with so much on the line, *their loads, lives and that of other road users*, being alert and able to make decisions quickly is critical; that's where a good night's sleep (or day, depending on their schedule), comes into play.

I recently won the job of installing SleepAir to the chap's new prime movers and with so many vehicles it was a juicy pick up considering the cost of each installed unit tops $13,000AUD. We'll get the unit-servicing for his entire fleet also, so it's a very lucrative deal for my company. The prime movers will roll in and out over the next month or so until they're all done and as each heads out onto the road a driver, or driver-team, will appreciate the comfort the SleepAir systems provide and the better night's sleep they will deliver.

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*Above image - A close up of part of the engine. The compressor is to the left and it's this component the engine is there to drive - It pumps the refrigerant around the system. You can also see the evaporator and the black box is the vent junction box and filter assembly.*

The SleepAir units operate off a diesel engine which powers the compressor pumping the R404a refrigerant to the condenser and evaporator units and back which ultimately provides the cooling effect. It is no different to how your fridge, freezer or any other refrigerated unit works.

The engine is mounted at the rear of the chassis behind the twin rear axles and whilst snug, is reasonably straightforward to fit. Ok, to be honest, you probably wouldn't want to do one without explicit and detailed instructions, but the lads in the factory make it look easy. 

Once fitted the unit is plumbed into the prime mover's fuel tank so it'll never run out of fuel, and the air conditioning pipe work is run through to the cabin along with the electrical cables and control unit. Add in the head unit and vents, fuel and oil filters plus some other bits and pieces and that's about it. (Clearly I'm over-simplifying it for this post.) 

The operator simply pulls the truck over at the end of the driving stint, turns off the prime mover's engine and hits a button to start the SleepAir system which is controlled from the electronic controller in the sleeper cab. The diesel engine fires up and cold air flows. We isolate the system from the ignition so it can't be run at the same time as the vehicle's engine - drivers were doing so and overworking the systems which puts pressure on the servicing schedule. Trucking is all about keeping the wheels rolling, there's no money being made in downtime, so we protect the integrity of the units, and other systems, which extends service periods, minimises downtime and costs.

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*Above image - Here's the job done. You can clearly see the dolly-pull now, basically a pin that allows the driver to hook up a dolly-trailer without using the fifth-wheel (The black thing further along the truck chassis which is where the larger trailers get coupled. Not the neat checker-plate cover to protect the SleepAir diesel engine.*

The owner is looking forward to getting his prime movers fitted-out. He's one of those owners who likes to run immaculate vehicles and he bling's them up with loads of accessories also, so when he buys new ones there's always a time-process to get them road-ready. 

He was telling me how important SleepAir is for his company and why he goes to the fairly significant cost to have them installed. 

Here's one reason why: One of his mates, an owner-driver, was pushing too hard to meet deadlines, dozed off and crossed the white line into oncoming traffic at 110kph. The resulting collision killed a family of five and destroyed the driver's life, despite him having survived. A good night of comfortable sleep may have prevented that tragedy, an event that, unfortunately, is repeated many times around the country each year. 

It was great to hear how safety-conscious the trucking company owner is because a lot hangs in the balance.

With the SleepAir system being only around 3.25% of the overall cost of the prime mover it makes a lot of sense to add it in and most long-haul and line-haul drivers will expect it. Sure, the diesel engine is a little (very) loud making roadside truck parking bays and truck stops noisy places to sleep, but the alternative is a hot, uncomfortable and restless sleep and with many thousands of kilometres ahead that's not a very good option. 

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Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - *Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind*

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