Bergstrom Inc., a provider of climate systems to the commercial vehicle industry, says it has developed a new battery-powered air conditioning system designed specifically for day cabs. The company says the Nite Day Cab No-Idle System was developed in response to growing demand for solutions to reduce idling in the day cab industry, as well as increasing federal, state and local regulations against truck idling.
“Just like their long-haul counterparts, day cab drivers are subject to state and local idling restrictions,” says Bill Gordon, national director of aftermarket and director of global marketing for Bergstrom, based in Rockford, Ill. “This truly offers fleets the opportunity to keep day cab drivers comfortable in the hot weather while adhering to anti-idling regulations.”
The company says the Nite Day Cab No-Idle System utilizes one or two deep-cycle absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries to power the air conditioning system; to maintain sufficient battery power to start the truck, the starting batteries are protected from discharge by a separator. Bergstrom says the system uses the same technology as its Nite Plus unit, but is installed as a split system; the compressor and evaporator are installed between the truck’s seats, and the condenser is mounted remotely to the exterior of the cab.
Bergstrom says when the system is in the air-conditioning mode, no fuel is used as it uses deep-cycle AGM battery power; with the optional heating unit, only 0.05 gallons per hour are consumed, and the battery is charged by the truck’s alternator during normal operation. The system runs quietly and requires minimal maintenance, according to the company; when the system is in air conditioning mode, the sound level doesn’t exceed 50 dBA.
The unit’s power system will be available in summer 2009 from both Bergstrom Kysor and major OEM dealerships; it carries a two-year limited warranty. For more information, go to www.bergstrominc.com.
