BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Thermo King showcases a line of reliable, compact and affordable StudentAIRE™ heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions for school bus operators, manufacturers and dealers at the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) annual summit, held Oct. 19-24 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Solutions that include a high performance air conditioning system requiring minimal space; a bulkhead evaporator for small to mid-size school bus applications; and two split air conditioning systems will be featured at the Thermo King booth, #735. All units will be available for order in first quarter 2014.
“These units respond to customer requests for solutions that help ensure passenger comfort in all ambient conditions while addressing headroom clearance issues and offering reliable, low-cost solutions,” said Doug Lenz, vice president of product management and marketing for Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand.
Slimline Rooftop (SLR) Air Conditioning System ─ The SLR is a lightweight, ultra-low profile heating and air conditioning unit for school bus applications with a revolutionary design that offers superior airflow, easier installation and better service accessibility. Thermo King engineers developed this system to address requirements from customers, while adhering to transportation guidelines.
The SLR offers the industry’s lowest roof profile – measuring approximately six inches above the roof – and provides significant space savings while reducing the potential for impact with trees or buildings. The unit also maximizes headroom by measuring just three-and-a-half inches inside the vehicle.
Utilizing state-of-the-art structural foam molding, a first in the industry, and weighing in at 124 pounds, the modular unit is easy to install and maintain, providing easy and safe access for maintenance from inside the bus – an industry first for roof-top systems. The unit allows for 90 percent of components to be serviceable from inside the bus.
Additionally, the SLR can be installed in the middle of the bus for more uniform air flow while distributing the weight evenly between the axles. The SLR is manufactured in the United States and meets Buy America requirements. This solution also requires 40 percent less refrigerant than conventional units, making it a more sustainable solution.
BE-550 lightweight bulkhead evaporator – The BE-550 lightweight bulkhead evaporator for small to mid-size school bus applications helps ensure passenger comfort in vehicles where headroom clearance is an issue.
The new bulkhead evaporator is a split-system solution that can be mounted in the front, rear, or both bulkhead areas of a vehicle. In general, this unit offers advantages over similar industry solutions that include: 46 percent smaller by volume and 28 percent lighter in weight; 6 percent airflow improvement; and 23 percent greater capacity.
Three-speed blowers provide quick temperature pulldown inside the bus to maximize passenger comfort while reducing interior noise levels. The blowers and the return-air filter are easily accessible to allow for efficient maintenance. The evaporator can accommodate either right-side or left-side refrigeration and electrical connections and also features a flexible mounting arrangement. The bulkhead evaporator is compatible with skirt-mount and roof condensers.
SA-400 and SA-800 split air conditioning systems – The SA-400 delivers economic, high-performance cooling for small and mid-sized vehicles while the SA-800 offers the same benefits for mid-size and larger wheelbase vehicles.
These reliable, low-cost HVAC solutions feature three-speed blowers for optimal pulldown and passenger comfort and an easily accessible return air filter and blowers for efficient maintenance. The units offer galvanneal and aluminum construction for excellent corrosion resistance and less weight. They are compatible with skirt-mount and rooftop condensers.
Condensers on the systems use microchannel technology, which reduces the refrigerant charge by
30 percent. The SA-800 can be paired with two separate condensers and compressors to provide another level of system redundancy.
About the 2013 NAPT Trade Show
The 2013 NAPT Trade Show, held Oct. 19-24 in Grand Rapids, Mich., provides a cutting-edge curriculum and serves as the showcase for the newest products and the latest technology the industry has to offer. Conference website: http://www.naptonline.org/summit.
About Ingersoll Rand and Thermo King
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands—including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® —work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Thermo King manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit ingersollrand.com or thermoking.com.
