Portland, OR-based PacWest Global has signed on to help promote and sell “zzzBox,” a new auxiliary power unit (APU) technology packaged developed to replace diesel-operated APU systems. 

The company said zzzBox connects directly to the reefer unit and taps available power and converts it to free AC power to the cab, generating cab power without heavy batteries or diesel . It can be attached to the underside of a reefer unit in reportedly less than an hour.

PacWest said the device is solid state, weighs 50 lbs. and requires no maintenance – allowing drivers to operate the vehicle’s air conditioning or heat as well as other appliances including laptops, charging systems for I-Pods, games etc. 

The zzzBox is considered a “green” product because it harnesses power from the reefer unit that stays running in order to keep refrigerated items cold during transport, PacWest said.