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DriVer · 07-31-2006, 03:18 PM

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

<span class="ev_code_RED">"Extreme" air conditioning a blast with Workhorse Parts' new Crystal Air™ kit</span>

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. - July 31, 2006 -"” Workhorse Parts' new air conditioning kit, Crystal Air™, has been tested to deliver 48-degree-Fahrenheit air out of the dash vents at outside temperatures of up to 118 F "” a difference of 70 degrees!

"These tests were performed on a motor home equipped with an evaporator and fan system that matched the rest of the A/C system capacity, which is typical," said Stoney Steenekamp, director, Service Parts Engineering for Workhorse Parts. "But even if that is not their situation, customers should still expect Crystal Air™ temperatures that are at least 35 to 45 degrees lower than ambient temperatures, even when stationary with the system in recirculation mode, and with a less than perfect evaporator system."

"We think this will really appeal to those people who want extreme air conditioning and a unit that outperforms almost anything in the gas or diesel market," said Steenekamp.

The "extreme" capability of Crystal Air includes parts developed initially for military applications. What the customization kit does is add an additional condenser and dual fan assembly to the chassis, doubling the condensing capacity. The kit also adds a new, slower turning compressor, expansion valve and a controller that detects problems and isolates components of the system to prevent damage.

"The controller is an important part of the kit," said Lonnie Wilson, one of the kit's designers. "Besides speeding up service diagnostics, it is the electronic brain of the system and monitors how the parts of the air conditioning system work with each other as well as outside and inside air temperatures. Then, depending on different temperatures, the controller optimizes the flow of the R134a cooling fluid in the unit."

Also included with the Crystal Air kit is a one-of-a-kind, patented variable control expansion valve. This valve expands or contracts in conjunction with the R134a flow to produce an air conditioning system that is optimally balanced and produces its maximum cooling capacity regardless of conditions

The Crystal Air air conditioning kit fits all W Series motor home platforms from Workhorse Custom Chassis and is available through the Workhorse Web site (see the Parts tab dropdown), where RVers can obtain more information and a list of Custom Install Workhorse service centers in their area. If there are questions, customers may also call 877-446-7731.

For more information, contact Adam Schuler at Workhorse Parts, 630-231-5400.

DriVer · 07-31-2006, 03:18 PM

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

<span class="ev_code_RED">"Extreme" air conditioning a blast with Workhorse Parts' new Crystal Air™ kit</span>

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. - July 31, 2006 -"” Workhorse Parts' new air conditioning kit, Crystal Air™, has been tested to deliver 48-degree-Fahrenheit air out of the dash vents at outside temperatures of up to 118 F "” a difference of 70 degrees!

"These tests were performed on a motor home equipped with an evaporator and fan system that matched the rest of the A/C system capacity, which is typical," said Stoney Steenekamp, director, Service Parts Engineering for Workhorse Parts. "But even if that is not their situation, customers should still expect Crystal Air™ temperatures that are at least 35 to 45 degrees lower than ambient temperatures, even when stationary with the system in recirculation mode, and with a less than perfect evaporator system."

"We think this will really appeal to those people who want extreme air conditioning and a unit that outperforms almost anything in the gas or diesel market," said Steenekamp.

The "extreme" capability of Crystal Air includes parts developed initially for military applications. What the customization kit does is add an additional condenser and dual fan assembly to the chassis, doubling the condensing capacity. The kit also adds a new, slower turning compressor, expansion valve and a controller that detects problems and isolates components of the system to prevent damage.

"The controller is an important part of the kit," said Lonnie Wilson, one of the kit's designers. "Besides speeding up service diagnostics, it is the electronic brain of the system and monitors how the parts of the air conditioning system work with each other as well as outside and inside air temperatures. Then, depending on different temperatures, the controller optimizes the flow of the R134a cooling fluid in the unit."

Also included with the Crystal Air kit is a one-of-a-kind, patented variable control expansion valve. This valve expands or contracts in conjunction with the R134a flow to produce an air conditioning system that is optimally balanced and produces its maximum cooling capacity regardless of conditions

The Crystal Air air conditioning kit fits all W Series motor home platforms from Workhorse Custom Chassis and is available through the Workhorse Web site (see the Parts tab dropdown), where RVers can obtain more information and a list of Custom Install Workhorse service centers in their area. If there are questions, customers may also call 877-446-7731.

For more information, contact Adam Schuler at Workhorse Parts, 630-231-5400.

Jestme13 · 07-31-2006, 05:48 PM

I guess us P chassis people are the red headed step children of the workhorse clan. No super duper crystal air for us ?

DriVer · 08-01-2006, 02:41 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jestme13:
No super duper crystal air for us ? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Steve, The real estate to mount the equipment is just not there on the P-series. Here's hoping they find a workable solution for you guys. Call Adam.

MikeT · 08-01-2006, 12:58 PM

Jestme13,

You aren't part of the Chosen ones Only W Chassis

Easyrider · 08-01-2006, 02:48 PM

Sounds cool! (pardon the pun

)I'll certainly check it out but just this past weekend we took our workhorse out for some camping and we're having a heatwave currently in Wisconsin with highs in the upper 90s and dew points in the seventies

, we found the air conditioning out of the dash was adequate as long as we ran the roof air first to take the edge off the inside temps before we started driving and then switched over to dash air once we were ready to be on the way. I don't think the dash air would have cooled down the inside temps to a comfortable level by itself as warm as it was but it was up to the job of maintaining the cooler temps once the roof air got it down to that level.

rogueii · 08-01-2006, 03:37 PM

Sounds like WH accepts the fact that the dash air is inadequate.--I tried to use mine yesterday, and my dog ran to the back of the RV--it was like I had opened a steam valve.

DriVer · 08-01-2006, 05:24 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Easyrider:
.... we found the air conditioning out of the dash was adequate as long as we ran the roof air first to take the edge off the inside temps before we started driving and then switched over to dash air once we were ready to be on the way.. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The Crystal Cool will obsolesce the need to run the coach air conditioner at any time while your engine and dash air are operating including standing still in heavy traffic.

DriVer · 08-01-2006, 05:27 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rogueii:
Sounds like WH accepts the fact that the dash air is inadequate... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I don't read that into the offer. The system was designed by a seperate 3rd party engineer and it was tested and accepted by Workhorse Parts, not Workhorse the chassis builder.

Having this system as an available option can only make the ownership experience better.

Kazoo Tom · 08-02-2006, 12:27 PM

From my experience, admittedly limited, the dash air in most gas motorhomes is inadequate to cool the entire coach. That's an awfully large volume of air to cool. Heck, even larger passenger vans need supplemental air conditioning to keep the entire interior cool. I don't think this is Workhorse acknowledging that the system is inadequate, but rather offering what is obviously a better system. Hope it works well and becomes popular enough to become a standard feature.

max49 · 08-03-2006, 04:34 PM

If Workhorse had put a decent AC unit in when they built it, that '3rd party engineer' would have had to look else where for a need for his very expensive super duper AC unit. It's probably only super duper as compared to the WH stock unit, not super as compared to most vehicle AC's

edgray · 08-03-2006, 06:42 PM

MAX49: You need to understand that Workhorse only supplies the compressor and some hoses.

Your coach builder is responsible for the design and function of the rest of your A/C system, including the evaporator core and expansion valve which play a major role in how much "cold" is produced. It is also your coach builder who provides the fan and duct work and controls which determine how much of the produced cold gets distributed from the outlets the coach builder provides.

At the very least, I hope you will stop giving Workhorse ALL the blame for your dis-satisifation-since they only designed and provided a portion of the system. ED

DriVer · 08-04-2006, 06:45 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
If Workhorse had put a decent AC unit in when they built it, that '3rd party engineer' would have had to look else where for a need for his very expensive super duper AC unit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>That's right, like the US and other International governments.

You see Specialist Mechanical Engineers makes the Crystal Cool unit for Workhorse parts as well as for various other military combat vehicles and other hi demand air conditioning requirements.

You can vist SME at their website for a complete listing of their products and technologies.

max49 · 08-06-2006, 04:00 PM

It just seems like a lot of Workhorse owners are not that happy with their dash air, and that is with a lot of differnt brands of MoHo's.
When Workhorse promotes and sells the new optional AC unit, I mean, it's obvious that even they know the stock unit is not very good.
I have'nt seen Ford, Chevy, Chrysler or even Hyundai advertising a new and improved AC unit as an after thought add on, endorsed by the mfgr.