Evaporator has minimal cabin intrusion
For 2012, Rifled Air Conditioning Systems has made a variety of product enhancements for its most popular units, the BH-20 Evaporator and the RC-30 Condenser.

The BH-20 Evaporator has a rated capacity of 60,000 Btu/hour and is mounted in the front or rear bulkhead, with minimal cabin intrusion. Company officials said that the evaporator is "a complete blend of functional need, aesthetic design and serviceability access."

The BH-20's covers are contour fitted to each body manufacturer to give the appearance of an integrated, factory-installed evaporator. Product enhancements for 2012 include:

• A new deeper drain pan — with depth increased from 1 inch to 1.5 inches.

• A new four-drain multi-directional drain pan to allow for quicker, more efficient draining regardless of the orientation of the bus.

The RC-30 is Rifled Air's largest condenser and is most often used in hot climates on larger buses in combination with other condensers. It is mounted in the skirt location and has a rated capacity of 80,000 Btu/hour.

The RC-30 and Rifled Air's other weather pack condensers have environmentally sealed electrical connections designed to withstand exposure to extreme temperatures and moisture. Terminals are tin plated and have special core wings that allow crimp-only connections, eliminating the need for solder.

Product enhancements on the RC-30 for 2012 include:

• The new weather pack connectors replace the ring terminal connections on the face of the condenser, eliminating the potential for corrosion on the terminals.

• All connections are made of a male and female, plug-n-play style connection that improves installation and field service repair times.

Flush-mount evaporator suits height restrictions
Trans/Air Manufacturing has unveiled its new FM50 flush-mount evaporator. Specifically designed for school and commercial bus applications with bulkhead height restrictions, the FM50 has a low 10-inch-high profile.

Company officials said that the unit features a cosmetically pleasing metal cover, fully adjustable louvers, an innovative tapered drain pan for efficient removal of condensation, an aluminum seam welded cabinet and dual high-performance blowers.  

Trans/Air has also developed a dash air heat/cool unit specifically for IC Bus RE applications and one specifically for Blue Bird Vision applications.

Officials at Trans/Air said that both dash units provide "total climate control to the driver's area." The units mount in the OEM heat-only location and are available with 44,000/25,000 Btu heat/cool capacity.

Both dashes feature dual high-performance blowers, digital temperature control and air outlets at the windshield, driver and entrance door.

Trans/Air officials said that the anticipated availability of the Blue Bird Vision Dash is in the first quarter of 2012. The IC Bus RE Dash is immediately available.

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New rooftop condenser has low profile
American Cooling Technology (ACT) has released its new high-performance CR-4 roof-mount condenser unit.

Based on market feedback from customers who participated in field trials, ACT made the CR-4 unit smaller and lighter than other high-capacity roof-mount condensers.

At less than 10 inches tall, the CR-4 unit increases roof clearance and provides a cleaner, sleeker look to the air-conditioning installation. The low profile and tapered leading edge of the unit eliminate the need to install a branch guard, which is typically required on a standard rooftop condenser.

 The CR-4 is available in both 12-volt and 24-volt models and can be supplied as a dual loop unit to be connected to two automotive-style compressors or as a single loop to connect to a single high-capacity transit compressor.

Company officials said that by relocating the air-conditioning condenser from the typical position under the bus floor to the roof of the bus, the capacity and operating efficiency of the air-conditioning system improve because it uses cleaner air from the top of the bus through the unit's heat exchanger.

All ACT split systems use non-ozone-depleting HFC-134a refrigerant, and the CR-4 delivers a high cooling capacity (165,000 Btu/hour IMACA).

Also, the CR-4's modular construction allows for improved access to the unit's internal components, making it easier to service. "This translates to less downtime, which is critical for bus fleets operating on tight budgets," the company said.

Cooling solutions to enhance serviceability
Officials at Thermo King, a global provider of transport temperature control systems and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand,  said that the company will be offering new robust cooling solutions for school buses in 2012 that offer improved serviceability.