Peterbilt Motors Co. is now offering Dometic battery-powered air conditioning systems as a factory installed option with its new Model 386 Hybrid Electric (HE) diesel-electric hybrid trucks developed by Eaton Corp.

Dometic’s high-efficiency 7,000-BTU air conditioning system consists of an external condensing unit mounted on the back of the cab and a compact compressor/evaporator/blower unit, which is enclosed in a heavy-duty composite cover and mounts between the driver and passenger seats. The inside and outside units are connected by reusable pre-charged refrigerant line sets with quick-connect fittings for easy installation and service. The air conditioner is powered by the lithium-ion batteries in the Eaton electric drive system.

“The system is designed to cool the entire space under high ambient temperature conditions,” said Lou Siegel, senior vice president, Dometic Automotive. Dometic also offers battery-powered HVAC packages tailored for Peterbilt’s full line of hybrid trucks, according to Siegel.

The Dometic system also improves fuel efficiency and lowers emissions by powering the heating, air conditioning and vehicle electrical systems while the engine is off. When the idle-reduction mode is active, engine operation is limited to battery charging, an automatically controlled process that takes approximately five minutes per hour to fully charge the system, the company said. For more information, visit http://www.peterbilt.com/ and http://www.dometicusa.com/.