FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joan Schimml
Thermo King, a brand of Ingersoll Rand
(651) 260-4983, joan.schimml@irco.com
Thermo King Introduces Smaller and Lighter Bulkhead Evaporator and New Split
System Solutions at BusCon to Optimize Passenger Comfort
Bloomington, Minn., Sept. 10, 2012 –Thermo King is unveiling the new BE-550 lightweight bulkhead
evaporator for small to mid-size shuttle and school bus applications to help ensure passenger comfort in
vehicles where headroom clearance is an issue.
Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications and
a brand of Ingersoll Rand, is introducing this solution at BusCon 2012. It will be available to original equipment
manufacturer installers in the first quarter of 2013.
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:
 Approximately 40 percent smaller by volume and more than 20 percent lighter in weight;
 Approximate airflow improvement of more than 5 percent; and,
 Approximately 20 percent greater in capacity.
“The updated evaporator responds to customer requests for an HVAC system that keeps passengers
comfortable in ambient conditions, while not intruding into the cabin space to avoid headroom clearance
issues,” said Doug Lenz, director of product management and marketing for Thermo King. “Thermo King
engineers concentrated on reducing the unit footprint and weight, while increasing the airflow and cooling
performance to produce a lightweight solution that maximizes performance.”
The new bulkhead evaporator is ideal for small to mid-size bus users such as transit authorities, airport shuttle
services, as well as school bus fleets. Three speed blowers provide optimal pulldown on the evaporator to
maximize passenger comfort. 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. It
features a flexible mounting arrangement and is compatible with skirt-mount and roof condensers.
SA-600 Skirt-Mounted Condenser and Evaporator
Thermo King will also feature the SA-600 skirt-mounted condenser and evaporator solution in its booth that
was introduced at BusCon last year. The solution is now available in two new offerings: the SA-400 skirtmounted condenser and evaporator, designed for smaller shuttle bus applications and the SA-800 evaporator,
designed for the largest shuttle bus applications.
-more-
Thermo King Introduces Smaller and Lighter Bulkhead Evaporator - 2
The SA-800 evaporator features dual refrigeration circuits, providing a redundant air conditioning loop to
maximize uptime.
The SA series of systems was designed to significantly reduce maintenance time while offering increased
performance and energy efficiency. The condensers feature micro-channel coils in lieu of standard fin-and-tube
designs for increased performance and a refrigerant charge which is 66 percent lower than previous versions
offered by Thermo King.
The total system charge reduction for the units is estimated at 30 percent due to the micro-channel
condensers. The height of the skirt-mounted condensers is reduced by approximately 17 percent, which allows
for increased ground clearance.
The condenser designs provide optimized fan placement for improved airflow through the coils. The filter/drier
in the condensers is mounted in an easy-to-access location. The evaporator blowers can be replaced quickly
without having to remove the entire unit cover or blower frame assemblies. The return air filter is located at the
rear of the evaporator section in a swing-out frame for replacement in seconds.
All of these systems are compatible with the slim-line condenser system which was released last year. The
condenser provides the industry’s most compact solution and the lowest profile, measuring just six inches
above the roof.
Rooftop placement of the condenser reduces installation time and lessens refrigerant charge because it can be
installed directly above the evaporator toward the rear of the vehicle. Reduced hose and harness lengths and
the solution’s modular design also contribute to reduced installation time. Placing the condenser on the rooftop
instead of in the traditional skirt location also removes it from exposure to road heat and debris, and reduces
the chance of collision damage.
All SLR, SA and BE series systems are available with three different controllers: Standard, the ClimaAire 1D
with diagnostics, and the Intelligaire III microprocessor with advanced diagnostics and J1939 CANBus
communication capability. The SA-400, SA-600, SA-800, and BE-550 are all manufactured in the United States
to allow for a minimal lead-time and to ensure that they meet all Buy America requirements.
New Solutions at BusCon
Thermo King will unveil these solutions at the annual BusCon trade show:
When:
Sept. 11-12, 2012
Where:
Booth 1006, Festival Hall A, Navy Pier Conference and Expo Center, Chicago
BusCon has been the most extensive gathering of private and public-sector decision-makers in the bus industry for 17 years. At this
premiere show attendees can find a vast selection of buses, equipment and first-class educational seminars. Conference website:
www.busconexpo.com/
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About Ingersoll Rand
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.