Webasto Exhibits New Engine-Off Technology at bauma 2013

For the first time Webasto will be exhibiting at bauma as a single-source systems supplier of heating and cooling solutions. The exhibition highlights include air-conditioning systems for construction machines and newly developed Engine-Off technology for avoiding unnecessary engine idling. This can be seen between April 15 to 21  at the Webasto stand in Hall A4, Stand 325A4, Stand 325. The heating and air-conditioning solutions ensure a pleasant cab climate not only during operation, but during operational downtimes and breaks too. Thanks to a broad product range customers receive a custom-made solution– specially developed and manufactured for fitting to their machines and needs as original equipment.

Small system, big effect – the new Engine-Off technology

Webasto is exhibiting its Engine-Off technology for parking heaters and air-conditioning systems for the first time. By employing this technology, unnecessary engine idling can be avoided. Engine idling often accounts for up to 50% of total engine running time in construction machines. Robert Lang, Director of Product Market Management Heavy Duty at Webasto, comments, “Manufacturers, owners and lessees of these machines will all profit in equal measure from the benefits delivered by our Engine-Off technology. The system reduces the number of engine operating hours, which means that fuel consumption is also reduced and the level of emissions is lower. Furthermore, service intervals are extended, the service life of the machine becomes significantly longer and the resale value of the vehicle increases.” A further benefit is the big improvement in driver which offers an associated gain in productivity, because – irrespective of the external temperature – he spends his whole working day in a pleasantly conditioned cabin.

How the innovative Engine-Off technology works

The Engine-Off technology allows the vehicle to be heated or cooled during operational downtimes and breaks, irrespective of whether the engine is running or not. The Engine-Off technology is available for fitting as original equipment, but it is also easy to retrofit because only a small number of additional components need to be integrated into the existing heating or air-conditioning system. Controlling the system is easy. The driver need only activate Engine-Off using the switch. The temperature inside the driver’s cabin is then automatically maintained at the desired level.

• Engine-Off with parking heater: When the vehicle’s engine is running it heat that is distributed via the cabin’s heat exchanger. When the engine is turned off the Engine-Off system takes over. The parking heater’s circulation pump ensures that the coolant continues to circulate through the system. This allows for the continued use of the residual engine heat to keep the cabin warm. If the temperature in the driver’s cabin drops below a predefined value, the parking heater is automatically switched on.
• Engine-Off with air-conditioning: When the vehicle’s engine is turned off is turned off the vehicle’s integrated air-conditioning system shuts down. At this point the Engine-Off system activates the auxiliary Webasto Engine-Off compressor which is powered by the vehicle’s battery. In this way the system ensures efficient interim cooling of the driver’s cabin during operational downtimes and breaks. Even though the Engine-Off system runs from the vehicle’s battery drivers need not worry that their engine will no longer start following a longer period of Engine-Off operation: The system is fitted with undervoltage protection.