For Webasto, climate comfort in mobile workplaces means more than just providing powerful solutions in the driver’s cab and the cargo space. As a systems supplier, the company combines heating and cooling systems into complete climate solutions that are as intelligent as they are superbly coordinated in their design. As a global player, Webasto development teams are local and thus close to our customers, providing customized solutions for the entire water circuit. Thus, Webasto will be at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in hall 12, booth B22 from September 22 to 29, 2016, showcasing its newest innovations under the slogan “Heating and cooling – efficient and customized”: They include a powerful prototype of the electric High-Voltage Heater (HVH) for light-duty commercial vehicles and trucks, the compact transport refrigeration systems of the new and completely re-engineered Frigo Top series and the efficient Thermo Top Pro 120 and 150 water heaters for buses.
Powerful High-Voltage Heater for commercial vehicles
The increasing global demand for hybrid and electric vehicles comes with a special challenge: There is only limited waste heat from the engine that can be used in heating these vehicles. To address this issue, Webasto had already introduced an electric heater to the market as early as 2015, the High-Voltage Heater (HVH) with continuously adjustable heat output of 0.2 to 7.0 kW. Webasto is currently working on a further development of the HVH, which will feature heating capacity of 10 kW. This will allow for more effective heating of the larger interior spaces in light-duty commercial vehicles, vans and trucks that are increasingly available as plug-in hybrids and electrically powered versions. The 10 kW HVH covers a variety of voltage levels of up to 850 V. Thanks to the efficient heating layer technology, the heater converts electricity into heat with almost no loss at a constant efficiency factor of over 95 percent. An additional advantage of the Webasto HVH: Taking environmental protection into consideration, only easily accessible raw materials and no lead are used. In addition, the heating layer also does not contain any rare earths whatsoever.
Elaborate, well thought-out solutions featuring greater performance
The Thermo Top Pro 120 and Thermo Top Pro 150 slated for market launch in early 2017 constitute a new generation of water heaters in the high-performance categories of 12 and 15 kW. So the low fuel and energy consumption along with optimized noise features make a valuable contribution to both cost savings and environmental protection. The powerful heaters are each available in 12 and 24 V versions and are therefore ideally suited for use in mini and midi-buses, construction vehicles and agricultural equipment. The heaters feature an innovative burner concept and an intelligent diagnosis and security system. Sensors monitor the exhaust gases and coolant temperature and continuously transmit the values to the control unit. One of the new features in this performance class is the automatic altitude adjustment. This way, in keeping with the Webasto motto “Your Comfort – Our Mission”, travelers to the mountains are not required to give up comfort and convenience. On one hand, the automatic altitude compensation ensures full heating capacity at altitudes of up to 3,500 meters above sea level. On the other, the heater also functions at extreme temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. The high-quality components and the brushless EC-motor along with the higher classification of protection from water and dust make for an extended service life and low maintenance costs. The compact size and light weight enable easy installation of the water heater, even in confined spaces. What’s more, the high-efficiency system features a coolant pump with a volumetric flow rate of 1,500 l/h as well as a self-protective feature.
Made to measure transport refrigeration
Webasto also provides a wide variety of individual solutions in the area of refrigeration systems for light-duty commercial vehicles. To this end, the entire Frigo range has been completely overhauled. The new Frigo Top 50 and Frigo Top 60 transport refrigeration systems offer powerful refrigeration for larger transport vehicles with a cargo capacity of up to 38 cubic meters. The system’s low weight facilitates greater vehicle load capacity. In addition, the aerodynamic design generates a smaller drag coefficient, thereby ensuring lower fuel consumption. Both of these elements result in reduced transportation costs and constitute a clear competitive edge for companies or business owners.
In the future, customers will no longer be forced to make compromises when simultaneously transporting goods that require different types of refrigeration or cooling in the same vehicle. With the Frigo Top 35 Multi-Temperature, Webasto offers a flexible and expandable module with which customers can set temperatures – from minus 20 to plus 20 degrees Celsius – precisely in terms of their needs. For instance, culinary establishments can transport frozen fish at minus 18 degrees in one cargo compartment. At the same time, they can ship wine at an appropriate drinking temperature of ten degrees Celsius in a second, separate cargo compartment – both in the same transport vehicle.
All-inclusive service concept
If a defect does occur when the merchandise is shipped, Webasto offers a special post-purchase benefit: the Webasto Priority Service with a 24-hour emergency hotline. The service is available all over Europe in the respective local language. The comprehensive service network consisting of over 500 qualified Webasto dealers offers fast, professional assistance. In addition to the standard package, Webasto is now presenting an expanded version at the IAA: Webasto Priority Service Comfort. Functionality and operational reliability of the refrigeration system are protected and secured by annual service intervals. Furthermore, when choosing the full service option, all costs incurred during maintenance or repair work are covered. This enables business owners to have complete cost control and to rely on fast and simple handling for their transports. The Comfort package will be available in Germany in early 2017. Expansion to all of Europe is planned in the course of the same year.
