LOUISVILLE, KY. — A new climate-control system that works independently of the vehicle’s main engine will be offered in freightliner’s heavy-trucks.

The Bergstrom NITE (No-Idle Thermal Environment) system will be available in Freightliner Century Class, Coronado and Columbia models, the truckmaker announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville.

NITE is designed to keep the sleeper compartment cool in hot weather and warm when it’s cold, without relying on power from the engine, while saving fuel and reducing engine wear by eliminating overnight idling.

Engineered specifically for long-haul trucks, the entire NITE System is controlled from the Freightliner SleeperCabs. At only 345 pounds, it’s lightweight and compact, says freightliner, and consists of a rechargeable battery system that supplies electricity to a hermetically sealed air-conditioning unit and an auxiliary heater.

The system also includes a smart control system, featuring electronic variable functions for comfort and power management. The engineered ductwork circulates air, providing a low-voltage cutout to safeguard the independent NITE battery and a status indicator to notify the owner when recharging is needed.

Powered by four deep-cycle batteries instead of the truck’s electrical system, the NITE air conditioner offers 3,500 BTUs of cooling capacity. The air conditioner draws no energy from the truck’s electrical system when the truck engine is off. The diesel fuel-operated heater throws off 2,900 to 7,500 BTUs per hour, with the energy requirement to heat the sleeper area less than one-tenth of a gallon per hour.