Dometic Environmental has announced that it is manufacturing air conditioning systems for Mechron Power Systems, which are sold under the CCS Lightning brand through Volvo Trucks North America, Flying J Enterprise Solutions Inc. and Toromont Cat Service Centers.
The Dometic air conditioning systems are part of Mechron’s CCS Lightning auxiliary power unit package. Mechron, a division of Toromont Industries, has integrated the Dometic HVAC components with a powerful, lightweight 6 kW diesel generator designed to provide driver comfort and power for other electrical amenities without idling the truck’s engine. The system is controlled from the CCS control unit that allows the user to access all heating, air conditioning and generator control features from one control pad conveniently located in the cab of the truck.
“We are especially pleased to be partnering with Mechron to serve their growing customer base in the North American trucking market,” says Lou Siegel, senior vice president of marketing and strategic business development for Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Dometic Environmental. “Mechron’s strong technical expertise in genset technology in the military sector has produced a rugged, reliable and robust integrated solution to meet the growing demand for anti-idling solutions in today’s trucking industry.”
The 14,000 BTU Dometic system consists of a stainless-steel condenser unit that bolts to the underside of the sleeper and a compressor/evaporator unit that mounts inside the sleeper, with precharged refrigerant tubes connecting the two. The system provides both heating and cooling.
Mechron, which has a long history in power generation technology for military and industrial/commercial applications, developed the CCS Lightning APU specifically for the needs of the longhaul trucking market. The APU is powered by a Kubota, liquid-cooled, in-line, two-cylinder diesel engine, which drives a 3,600-rpm Mechron generator rated at 6 kW for 115VAC 60 Hz power. It uses a maintenance-free, direct-drive AC alternator instead of a belt-driven system.
The genset cooling system can be tied into the truck’s engine cooling system or an optional, standalone remote radiator. The 360-lb. engine-generator unit is packaged in a nearly square configuration that requires only 21 inches of frame rail. The system also includes a 30-amp battery charger and external AC power receptacle for shorepower hookup. According to Mark Richardson, manager of mobile systems for Mechron, the APU’s noise emission is just 65 dB(A), and fuel consumption is 0.21 gph. Service intervals are designed to mirror the vehicle’s maintenance cycles.
“We selected Dometic as our HVAC subsystem supplier after careful consideration and extensive testing to make sure they met our rigorous standards,” Richardson says. “Dometic has worked closely with our engineers to develop an unbeatable combination when it comes to dependability and performance under the toughest, over-the-road conditions.”
