Cab Cooling Systems Become Eco-Friendly By Sherri Middleton The trucking industry now has more options than ever for keeping drivers cool and comfortable without idling the truck’s engine. Truck idling rules approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are typical of the legislation enacted by more than 20 states and cities across the country. Under the CARB rules, any truck or bus operating in the State of California’s borders, can not idle the vehicle engine for more than five minutes when not engaged in work activities. Manufacturers are meeting the challenge and designing new products that meet the challenges for present and future anti-idling legislation. Cool Moves Products is one program created to provide engine off, eco-friendly cooling solutions that meet current and future government requirements to reduce emissions. Gary Wilson, director of sales for Ontario, Canada-based Cool Moves, says his company’s products are lightweight, low power systems that are designed as a complete installation package with all the necessary hardware and trim. The product line includes the Mochila, Revolution, Minicool Dynamic and the Minicool Compact. The Mochila is a rear wall-mounted cooler that works when the engine is off and only consumes water for operation. All functions, including the fan speed, rate of cooling and the water pump can be controlled by remote or from the electronic keyboard. The Revolution is a roof-mounted cooler that works in engine-off and provides comfort in the cab overnight and during deliveries or anytime a driver needs additional cooling. All functions, including fan speed, rate of cooling and the water pump or controlled by remote or on the keyboard. The Minicool Dynamic is a stand-alone, vertical wall-mounted, engine-off air conditioning system designed to operate during rest periods or loading and unloading. This unit lowers fuel consumption and meets CARB and EPA requirements. The Minicool Compact is a roof-mounted system designed for night applications and used while the driver is sleeping. The compact unit features two compressors with two separate circuits of evaporators and condensers acting as two air conditioning systems. How does it work? Wilson says the Cool Moves products have two pieces in the unit – a nine-gallon water tank and the unit itself. Available in two configurations – roof mount or back wall mount –the driver sees his control panel with one-touch adjustments for water delivery rate, fan speed, timer to control auto shut-off, low water warning light and an alarm for when the cab doors are open. Four adjustable air vents are also incorporated in the control panel. On the outside of the truck the unit’s operating components are connected directly to the control panel. The operating components consist of the filter containing the moisture absorbent media and a dual turbine fan. Charcoal filters protect the fresh air inlet on the Mochila model. When the unit is switched on, a pump mounted on the tank delivers metered amounts of water via a tube to the filter. The pump is virtually silent and does not need to run continuously because it automatically obeys the control panel setting. Excess water is returned via a drain hose to the tank. The fan draws fresh air in through the most media filter and as the warm air passes over the moist media, energy is required to convert liquid to vapor. The heat is removed and the air is cooled and humidified. “A frequently asked question is ‘will it kill my batteries?’” Wilson said. “At the trade shows this year we ran the units all day for three days on one group 31 battery each, so the answer is no.” The units are not designed to cool large areas, but they are designed to provide a comfortable environment in the cab and sleeper. The Mochila weighs about 30 pounds and the Revolution weighs 40 pounds. Water should be drinkable and can come from any “town water” supply intended for human consumption. Maintenance is minimal and includes changing the anti-fungal water-softening cap after about six months of use. The inner filter should be inspected and replaced every year. Wilson says the Cool Moves products are not designed to heat the cab and suggests users install a small diesel fired heater in conjunction with the cooler for year-round comfort. “If you know that the majority of you driving is in high humidity areas then the Minicool range of air conditioners would be a better solution,” Wilson says. Super Air’s High Performance System Super Air offers another cab cooling option for comfort and environmentally friendly use. Super Air’s High Performance Cooling System maintains a comfortable resting and working environment inside the cab on an average of 25 degrees cooler than the outside environment. It not only keeps the air cooled, but it doesn’t use ozone-depleting gases for cooling. The Super Air unit features a simple operating mechanism working directly from the vehicle battery. The cooler collects air from a twin-turbo motor and the air circulates along a filter that is continuously moistened by water pumped from an external container. Six air diffusers move air through the cab. The manufacturer says Super Air is easy to install and easy to maintain and operate. The parts are UV resistant and run off Bosch manufactured motors and controls. ClimaCab Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) is switching to ClimaCab’s electric APU in its quest to become the EPA Smartway Carrier of the year and the most fuel-efficient fleet. The company currently holds the highest possible SmartWay rating, and was among the first to integrate idle reduction technology into 100 percent of its fleet. In addition to eliminating idling, MVT’s complete fuel efficiency program includes installing over 3,000 trailer skirts and offering driver bonuses for best mileage. Now the company is making the switch from diesel to electric APU systems. “Diesel-powered APU still burn fuel, and they still need maintenance,” says Royal Jones, president and CEO of MVT. Glacier Bay’s electric APU, ClimaCab, uses no fuel, requires no maintenance and has no emissions. The company says the unit is quicker and easier to install compared to diesel APUs and drivers like it because it doesn’t use under-bunk space. The power management module with Smart Assist ensures optimum battery charging and eliminates jump-starts. “I like that ClimaCab charges truck batteries first, and how it optimizes battery charge parameters to extend battery life, “ Jones says. “A jump start can cost up to $300, but with ClimaCab the expense and hassle is eliminated.” MTV’s field test of the system showed that on 100 degree days in full sunlight, the unit reduced cab temperature to 65 degrees in under an hour and maintained that temperature for the duration of the test.” ECCO System DC Power Solutions’ ECCO (Electric Climate Control Operating Unit) system runs entirely on a 12- or 24-volt power supply to air condition a sleeper cab without idling the main engine. With two major components, the system is able to cool the sleeper for up to 10 hours without the need to recharge batteries or run the main engine. Jeff Wallace of DC Power says the system is so comprehensive that by installing ECCO to the OEM rear cabin air conditioning system, the air conditioner will function without the need for running the engine. ECCO can be installed on Volvo, Freightliner or Kenworth trucks. Since the system is totally electric, it is among a few of the CARB compliant units available. Cooling capacity can be up to 14,000 Btu and installation is simple and can usually be performed in about four hours. The system includes a drive unit and it can be combined with other manufacturers’ condensers and evaporators. DC Power Solutions also offers the complete system either for roof mount or split mount installation. The second part of the system is the Electric Power Unit, which is driven by four deep discharge batteries. The ECCO consists of a rail mount cabinet and an inverter/charger to supply power for Hotel loads of a sleeper cab. Incorporated under the cabinet, the electronics to charge batteries are available when needed without interfering with the starting batter, shore power accessories and electronics. Wallace says the products are recognized by EPA under the SmartWay program making it easier for truckers to access government funding for anti-idling technology. Kenworth Clean Power The Kenworth Clean Power no-idle system is also qualified for an exemption from the 12 percent U.S. Federal Excise Tax (FET). The Clean Power system is available as a factory-installed option for the Kenworth T660, T800 and W900 models equipped with the 72-inch AeroCab sleeper. The system may enhance fuel economy by ads much as 8 percent for customers with high-idling times. Clean Power uses dedicated, advanced deep-cycle batteries that power a thermal storage cooler with 21,000 Btu of cooling capacity. The system has the ability to provide engine-off cooling and heating, plus 120-volt power for hotel loads. Once the truck is shut off, a sleeper control panel regulates the temperature range and a variable speed fan circulates chilled air through a duct located near the bunk. Tridako PowerCube APU PowerCube represents APU technology built from a comprehensive menu of designs that provide the perfect blend of BTU output and cab temperature sustainability. Tridako Energy Systems has been building HVAC systems since 1972, so if experience is important in APU purchasing decisions, then it might be wise to consider this company. “The heritage of smart engineering behind this unit stands to offer some reliability that seems to lack in the market,” says Dan Koch, vice president of marketing for Tridako. “Our unit is built for heavy service and long term value for fleets and owner operators looking to support driver health and safety inside large cab environments, while reducing fleet costs and emissions.” The PowerCube is proven in the field with companies like Terex, Volvo and CASE. “Drivers will notice the difference in our Btu output,” he said. “Plus we’ve eliminated the remote condenser and have one fan.” The unit meets SAE J-1503 automotive performance standards and provides 24,000 Btu/hr cooling and 30,000 Btu/hr heating. “One key behind raising the APU performance and keeping steady temperatures is proper air flow,” Koch said. “When the dual 600 CFM blowers in the bunk unit recirculate the heated air, or the cool air over the evaporator coils reaches desired temps, it cools or heats quickly.” Tridako offers three models, including the HC6000, the HC5100, and an Isuzu model 00000. Willis Auxiliary Power Willis continues to develop solutions for limiting diesel engine idling, while providing cab comfort. Willis’ APU is designed to meet the anti-idling regulations. When used in conjunction with an air starter, the Willis system does not add much weight to the truck. The design draws heavily on aviation technology and helps to extend engine life, save fuel, reduce air and noise pollution and provide back-up power while running the engine. The heating and air systems provide back-up air supply for primary and secondary air systems. The unit also supports air starter operation and the capacity to run power for lights and communications while the main engine is off. BlueCool Truck Webasto offers the BlueCool Truck to keep the cab or sleeper cool on hot nights without idling or running off an auxiliary power unit. Webasto officials say the unit solves one of the biggest challenges presented by anti-idling legislation aimed at heavy-duty trucks. “BlueCool Truck presents a huge step forward in presenting solutions that assist fleet and owner operators to meet the regulations, yet still provide interior comfort regardless of the vehicle’s location in hot or cold climates,” says Rolf Lichtner, director of marketing services at Webasto Product North America. “Paired with the truck cab auxiliary heaters in our C5 complete cabin climate comfort control concept, BlueCool Truck completely eliminates the need for engine idling to condition the vehicle’s interior environment.” Unlike auxiliary cab heaters and engine pre-heaters, which use the vehicle’s on-board fuel tank as a direct energy source during heating, the BlueCool Truck system uses no diesel fuel for cooling. A cold storage cell is charged during the daytime when the truck is running. At night, the engine can be switched off and the system provides cooled air. CoolBlue Truck runs independent of the vehicle’s air conditioner and uses small amounts of electricity to circulate super-chilled coolant to the sleeper. One rotary temperature knob and an infinitely variable fan speed control with an integrated on/off switch let drivers adjust the comfort level in the cabin. CoolBlue features a 17,000 BTU cold Storage unit and a graphite matrix provides heat conductivity between the circulated coolant and the core of the cold storage unit to cool the cab over a prolonged period. www.coolmoves.ca www.kenworth.com www.dcpowersales.com www.superairsales.com www.climacab.com www.glacierbay.com www.powercubeapu.com www.willisapu.com www.webasto.us