New Trane S-Series CenTraVac

[Tech Rob]

Not much to go on, but it's exciting to see them finally coming out with something new. I was beginning to wonder if they were going to give up the small-tonnage centrifugal market completely to York and McQuay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_H7KyV3zvo

[Screwit]

Been a slow Trane coming back from the Poses era.

On first pass looks like a modernization of the LCV compressor mounted on CVH vessels - Original S Series was first released 2002/03 then mothballed along with a whole lot of other product development and engineering talent in the company.

[Tech Rob]

Wasn't the original S series just a brown paper bag CVHE with some extra piping and ceramic bearings? The permanent magnet motor on this thing interests me. It's gonna be interesting to start seeing the differences and similarities between this and the current stuff.

[Nuclrchiller]

Been a slow Trane coming back from the Poses era.

On first pass looks like a modernization of the LCV compressor mounted on CVH vessels - Original S Series was first released 2002/03 then mothballed along with a whole lot of other product development and engineering talent in the company.

Frankly, I was beginning to think all engineering talent was gone. I can't help but wonder how much of this was engineered "in-house". Hopefully a lot, if not all.

[Nuclrchiller]

Wasn't the original S series just a brown paper bag CVHE with some extra piping and ceramic bearings? The permanent magnet motor on this thing interests me. It's gonna be interesting to start seeing the differences and similarities between this and the current stuff.

That's what I remember about an "S Series" too, Rob. I heard there are some out there, but I haven't seen one. I can't wait to see this new one! Gotta make some phone calls to my local Trane buddies!

[R123]

This chiller is going back to the spool design but modern and small footprint with compressor on top. Reason being the thrust is cancelled out. There are many old spools still running that have never been torn down. It has ceramic bearings and no oil. All of these chillers will be AFD.

[Tech Rob]

I wonder if it's going to be falling film or flooded with fixed orifice? All of the flash gas in a falling film evap is passed directly to the suction. The vent line that enters the interstage crossover pipe on the Series-S makes me think fixed orifice with an economizer.

This'll be the first time anyone has ever associated an "AFD Centravac" with a "small footprint".

[Nuclrchiller]

This chiller is going back to the spool design but modern and small footprint with compressor on top. Reason being the thrust is cancelled out. There are many old spools still running that have never been torn down. It has ceramic bearings and no oil. All of these chillers will be AFD.

I always liked that about both the "spool" (or "benchgrinder") AND the "sidewinder" chillers. "Stacking" all the thrust in one direction, and managing it with roller, then ball bearings, was a step backwards in "thrust management", in my opinion. In spite of this, I still consider the CVHE/F chiller to be the best available. But with the "S-Series", that may soon change ...

[Nuclrchiller]

It looks as though Trane has changed it's mind again about using ceramic bearings. Or maybe it's a matter of who currently has the upper hand - engineers or bean counters.

[Nuclrchiller]

Dang it!! I want details! Anybody want help a frustrated tech out? Pdf's and links welcomed...

[Tech Rob]

I can't find any details on this thing on eLibrary. Maybe the factory will wait until they crash a few to write a manual?

[Screwit]

No listing on the AHRI certification website as yet so suspect release for sale (including literature) is still pending

[lipsoffurry]

I wonder if the factory will have that huge flat screen as an option for you old guys?