Espar Heater Systems added three new models to its lineup of cab and engine warmers.

All of the devices rely on Espar's gas- or diesel-fueled, battery-ignited heaters. The Hybernator-On Frame model uses Espar's Hydronic 5 heater mounted on the truck's frame to provide continuous heat to the cab, the engine and the fuel system.

The Hybernator-In Frame model uses the same device but installs it with a bracket system between the frame rails so the rails do not have to be drilled. Espar said this saves installation costs and reduces installation time.

The Baire Necessity System uses Espar's Airtronic D2 heater mounted in a cab window. The system has its own fuel tank and is portable. The company suggested that drivers can carry the heater with them, or terminals or truck stops can supply them to incoming drivers.

In the era of anti-idling regulations, Espar has been in the right place at the right time. Its heater business has quadrupled in the past three years, company officials said. The Hydronic 5 and Airtronic D2 heating systems, which burn less than a gallon of fuel over eight hours, have been approved by the California Air Resources Board as meeting the state's strict emission standards. The company's Airtronic D4, a large bunk heater, also has been approved.

Espar also announced that it has formed a partnership with the battery company Discover. Espar's Hybernator and Hybernator II are powered by Discover's EV12A-A Traction Dry Cell batteries. In a dry-cell battery the electrolyte is a paste-like solution, rather than to the liquid electrolyte in a traditional battery. Discover says its batteries are maintenance-free, non-hazardous, non-gassing and spill-proof.

More info: www.espar.com.