Overview

The Bergstrom NITE (No Idle Thermal Environment) parked, or no-idle, air conditioning system is a compact, electrically powered, 3000-BTU system. It is designed to provide a means of air conditioning to the sleeper area without having the engine running. It is completely self-contained, and runs on 12-volt deep-cycle batteries. The system is designed to maintain cool air in the sleeper interior. For optimal operation, the curtain between the cab and the sleeper must be closed when using the A/C system. The parked A/C unit will not cool down a hot sleeper that has been sitting in the sun without the vehicle A/C running. If the interior temperature is higher than desired, start the engine and run the vehicle A/C system until the desired sleeper temperature is achieved. This will help cool the sleeper to a temperature that the parked A/C system can maintain. Once the sleeper temperature is lowered, the system will maintain a comfortable setting.

The A/C unit is located under the lower bunk in the sleeper compartment. The unit gets its intake air from the under-bunk area through a grate in the top panel. An air intake grille is located on the front panel of the lower bunk. The outlet ducting runs from the left side of the unit to an outlet near the bunk occupant's face on the back wall of the sleeper. It is important to keep the air intake grille, and the area under the bunk, free of objects that might block air flow or put objectionable odors into the cooling air. Air for the condenser is taken in from under the cab and exhausted through another opening in the cab floor.

The system receives power from four deep-cycle batteries located between the frame rails. These batteries are completely isolated from the starting batteries to keep the starting batteries from being drawn down during operation.

The heater unit is located under the lower bunk in the sleeper compartment next to the A/C unit. The unit gets its intake air through a duct attached to a grille located on the right side of the front panel of the lower bunk. The outlet ducting runs from the back of the unit to a grille on the left side of the front panel of the lower bunk.