Webasto North America announced the introduction of its new Thermo Top Evo coolant heater. The Thermo Top Evo is the latest in a long line of engine-off heating technologies from Webasto and operates directly from diesel fuel drawn from the vehicle’s primary fuel tank.
“By using the Webasto Thermo Top Evo pre-heater, fleets can save fuel by reducing idling time, warming engines so they start easier, and by avoiding extended engine warm-up times,” says Don Kanneth, aftermarket sales director for Webasto North America. “Most important, however, is that the Thermo Top Evo helps fleets reduce maintenance by reducing the strain on emission control devices, like DPFs.”
The Thermo Top Evo is more flexible to install, more intuitive to diagnose, and features a quieter heater and fuel delivery system. With its efficient 8,600 - 17,200 BTU/h (2.5–5.0 kW) range and ultra-low power consumption, the Thermo Top Evo is more than capable of pre-heating a wide range of vehicle types, from light duty commercial vehicles to heavy duty trucks.
The Thermo Top Evo’s compact size and new features are designed for installation in vehicles with limited space. Its coolant inlet and outlet ports at the top of the heater can rotate up to 180 degrees, offering flexibility for routing coolant lines.
The unit comes with a longer fuel line, universal controller harness, and mounting bracket. The Thermo Top Evo also operates at a higher maximum combustion air temperature that allows it to be mounted in more locations within the engine compartment, the company says.
The Thermo Top Evo also gives users the ability to read simple fault codes at the controller without the need for ancillary equipment or software. This feature enables the driver to identify the specific fault category while on the road and to make the necessary adjustments. The Thermo Top Evo can be controlled manually or can be programmed to turn on in advance via Webasto’s SmarTemp Control fx 2.0 so that the engine is pre-warmed when the driver arrives.
“Idling the tractor to warm the engine is not just inefficient; it creates a significant amount of noise pollution,” Kanneth said. “The Thermo Top Evo includes advancements in its fuel delivery system design, and its new DP 42 fuel pump utilizes half-stroke technology that makes it up to 20 percent quieter than previous fuel-operated heater systems.”
Many of the Webasto fuel-operated heater products are listed under the “Verified Idling Reduction Technologies” category by the EPA SmartWay Program. According to the company, Webasto coolant heaters are fuel efficient, helping achieve optimal engine starting temperatures while reducing engine wear, fuel consumption, and exhaust emissions. A Webasto engine pre-heater also delivers a fast ROI in the form of improved fuel cost savings and reduced DPF maintenance, the company says.
