DC Airco - DC-Powered Air-Conditioning Units for Trains

DC Airco, a company based in the Netherlands, has specialised in energy-efficient DC-powered air conditioners since 1997. It provides 24VDC, 48VDC, 74VDC and 110VDC units.

DC Airco has three product groups:

• Cab air-conditioning units for trains, metros and locomotives (24VDC, 48VDC, 74VDC and 110VDC units)
• Air-conditioning units to cool remote telecommunications stations (24VDC and 48VDC, and solar or diesel-powered)
• Sleeping cab air-conditioning units for trucks running off starter batteries (12VDC and 24VDC)

Air-conditioning units for trains, metros and locomotives

The main features of our air-conditioning units for trains, metros and locomotives are:

• Energy consumption of only one-third of a normal air-conditioning unit — therefore no expensive alterations to the train's electrical system.
• No power surge during start up — soft start
• Standard or custom-made
• Easy installation — packaged units or split units with self-sealing couplings pre-charged with ozone-friendly refrigerant
• Factory tested
• Long service intervals

Metro-cab air-conditioning systems

The 6800DC Airco air-conditioning system was designed for Amsterdam Subway metros to cool the operator's cabin. The evaporator is mounted in the roof of the cabin and the condenser unit is installed under the floor.

The complete system is 24VDC powered.

Metro-cab cooling systems

The 11000GVB Airco air-conditioning system for the Amsterdam Subway cools the operator's cabin of a light-rail vehicle.

The evaporator is wall-mounted and the condenser is mounted under the cab floor. The system has a thermostat and two fan speeds, and is 24VDC powered.

Train-cab cooling system

The 11000FGWL Airco air-conditioning system was developed to cool the operator's cabin on trains from First Great Western. The evaporator is installed in the cupboard at the bottom of the cabin. With four 70mm hoses the cooled air is brought up to the ceiling where it is blown out to four adjustable air outlets.

Custom air conditioners for trains

DC Airco also develops and designs custom-built DC-driven air conditioners for trains.

About DC Airco

DC Airco is an independent company that has been in business since 1990. In 1991 the founders of DC Airco started to develop energy-efficient cooling / air conditioning that could work on DC power for use with solar power. Since 1997 DC Airco has manufactured more than 10,000 air-conditioning units, of which 98% have been exported all over the world.

A selection of projects to which DC Airco has supplied railways units to:

• Amsterdam Metro – 50 24VDC units
• First Great Western, UK – 240 24VDC units for class 143, 150, 153, 158, 165 and 166 trains
• First Capital Connect, UK – 84 110VDC units for class 313 trains
• First Capital Connect, UK – 26 110VDC units for class 317 trains
• NEXIA, UK – 104 110VDC units for class 317 trains
• Southern, UK – 48 110VDC units for class 456 trains
• Southern, UK – 40 110VDC units for class 313 trains
• EMSI / EMDiesels, UK – for class 66 / JT 42 locomtives
• Corus Steelworks, the Netherlands – for locomotives working in 50°C temperatures