Dometic today announced that it is supplying battery-powered engine-off air conditioning systems to Volvo Trucks North America for factory installation on new Volvo VN sleeper model trucks.
The Dometic air conditioners are being installed at Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley plant in Dublin, Va. Volvo dealers can order the air conditioning systems by contacting the Volvo Options Center.
The CARB-compliant 10,000 BTU/hr air conditioning system provides efficient cooling of the sleeper compartment under high ambient temperature conditions. It is designed to run for more than 10 hours at a 100-percent duty cycle on battery power, meeting the federal Hours of Service mandatory rest stop regulations, and will recharge the batteries fully in under six hours when driving.
The Dometic split system consists of a condensing unit mounted outside the cab and a compressor-evaporator-fan unit under the bunk. The two units are connected by reusable refrigerant lines with quick-connect fittings, pre-charged at the Dometic factory for easy installation without special tools. The system also includes a high-performance alternator and 2,000 Watt inverter as well as a bank of eight absorbed glass mat batteries.
“Since the systems are being fitted into the trucks on the assembly line, Volvo dealers and customers can be assured of a standardized high-quality installation,” said Lou Siegel, spokesman for Dometic’s U.S. trucking business unit. “We have been working closely with the Volvo Trucks’ engineering and production departments to ensure a smooth, trouble-free process.”
“We are creating educational tools, including printed and video materials, which will be distributed to Volvo Trucks dealers across the country,” Siegel added. “These include maintenance guidelines and tips to help customers get the best performance out of their air conditioning systems.”
“With diesel prices ratcheting up toward $4.00 a gallon, truck fleets simply cannot afford to waste expensive fuel idling the engine for hours at a time,” said Siegel. “Now, with the Volvo factory-installed option, it’s easier than ever for fleets to order engine-off air conditioning systems on new trucks with a return-on-investment of less than 12 months.”
For more infrmation:
Lou Siegel
Dometic Group
+1 804-559-6434
lou.siegel@dometicusa.com