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Dravo
Senior Member
USA
93 Posts |
 Posted - 02/02/2006 : 5:16:10 PM
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| I noticed some Bluebirds from Palm Beach District with what I assume is the air conditioning mounted on the roof. What are the advantages and disadvantages to this setup? What is the cost difference from mounting them underneith the bus? |
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Rich
Top Member
United States
5768 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2006 : 7:28:10 PM
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| A couple of advantages to having the air conditioning on the roof is that it makes less work for the air conditioning unit, since the roof isn't as hot as the road. Also, since it is not under the bus, no need to worry about road grime, no need to drill all throughout the bus, etc. |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2006 : 07:05:39 AM
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We began pilot testing these unts several years ago and found that they were infinitely more reliable, although they cost more. Richard is correct that the "air up there" is cooler and cleaner and requires lees work for the systems to do to cool it off. The RE buses with this set-up are utilizing large heavy duty transit style compressors, and most are completely ducted inside the bus and work very well! We also have the rooftop set-up on some FE wheelchair lift equipped units with dual ST-21 compressors. They are dual Split systems that will operate off of one compressor, should one fail. This is important since we transport a number of medically fragile students with breathing issues that must breath conditioned air for the periods of time required by our bus routes. We plan to continue to purchase these systems to ensure added reliability and longevity. In fact Florida's A/C spec for RE Transit buses includes this type of set-up, beginning this year. It is the most significant A/C spec change in the history of the school bus industry, we believe.
Joe |
Joe
Land of the Free, because of the Brave! |
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Palm Beach A/C
