Thermo King V-Series direct drive
V-520 Rooftop
Perfect for medium to large insulated vans and body-on-chassis vehicles with reach-in side compartments.
Why the V-520 Rooftop
No extra diesel engine to maintain
The road compressor runs off the vehicle's engine, so there's no extra diesel engine on the unit to maintain.
Low noise in all conditions
If you deliver in areas with noise restrictions, direct-drive units offer low noise levels in all operating conditions.
Fresh, frozen or multi-temp
The V-520 RT suits fresh loads, the V-520 RT MAX uses R-452A for frozen loads down to -20°F, and the SPECTRUM version is multi-temp.
Plug in with SmartPower
The SmartPower electric standby option lets the unit run plugged in with the engine off.
Ideal for demanding conditions
V-Series units function in ambient temperatures up to 122°F, in both the R-134A fresh and the R-452A frozen versions.
Slim V-520 Rooftop profile
Only Thermo King offers a rooftop unit with this much capacity in a slim line package, just 6 inches above the roof on non-standby units.
Overview
- 12,200BTU/hrV-520 RT: cooling at 35°F on engine power
- 15,500BTU/hrV-520 RT MAX: cooling at 35°F on engine power
- 6inchesAbove the roof on non-standby units
- Up to122°FAmbient temperatures the units work in
The V-520 rooftop arrangement is perfect for medium to large vans and body-on-chassis vehicles with reach-in side compartments. Only Thermo King offers a rooftop reefer unit with this much capacity in a slim line package (just 6 inches above the roof for non-standby units).
Driven by the vehicle.
What Thermo King built into the V-520 Rooftop.
Driven by the vehicle.
The V-520 RT runs its road compressor off the vehicle's engine, so there's no extra diesel engine to maintain. Direct-drive units run at low noise levels in all operating conditions.
- SmartPower electric standby option on every model
- Automatic hot gas defrost
- Jet Lube compressor lubrication; Jet Cool compressor injection cooling on MAX units
Fresh or frozen.
The V-520 RT uses R-134A for fresh loads; it's rated at 0°F but locked out below 25°F to protect the system. The V-520 RT MAX uses R-452A for frozen loads and more capacity, down to -20°F. The V-520 RT SPECTRUM is the multi-temp version, with the V-520 RT MAX's capacity and two ES300 evaporators.
Nosemount or rooftop.
The V-520 comes two ways. The nosemount suits small to medium insulated box trucks. The rooftop suits medium to large insulated vans and body-on-chassis vehicles with reach-in side compartments, and only Thermo King offers a rooftop unit with this much capacity in a slim package: just 6 inches above the roof on non-standby units.
- Engine-mounted TK-16 compressor, or the optional TK-312 reciprocating compressor
- The TK-312R reciprocating compressor has the life of 5 swash plate compressors
Built for the road.
- Direct Smart Reefer controllerIn-cab controller
- Door switch kitTurns the refrigeration off when the doors open to limit load temperature rise and save fuel, and restarts it when they close
- DIN adaptorLets the controller fit any available radio slot in the dashboard
- Hose coversMetal or plastic kits that protect hoses and cables
- Muffler kitKeeps unit vibration and noise out of the driver's cab
- Snow coversKeep snow and ice off the condenser fan blades
- HeatingHot gas heat (14,000 BTU/hr on the truck engine, on MAX and SPECTRUM units)
Compare the V-520 RT.
Side by side with another van and small-truck unit, with only the differences showing.
Every truck unit side by sideUnit specs
Specs for the V-520 RT and V-520 RT MAX, with their test conditions.
Refrigerant
| Specification | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Type | R-134A | R-452A |
Refrigeration capacity: engine power (BTU/hr)
| Return air to evaporator | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| 35°F | 12,200 | 15,500 |
| 0°F | 5,000 | 8,200 |
| -20°F | 5,000 |
System net cooling capacity at 100°F ambient. V-520 and V-520 RT: 2,400 RPM engine operation, standard swash plate compressor. Non-MAX R-134A units are rated at 0°F but not allowed to operate below 25°F due to system protection. A blank cell means no figure is listed.
Refrigeration capacity: engine power, optional TK-312 reciprocating compressor (BTU/hr)
| Return air to evaporator | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| 35°F | 13,700 | 16,600 |
| 0°F | 5,410 | 8,700 |
| -20°F | 5,300 |
V-520 and V-520 RT only, at 100°F ambient and 2,400 RPM engine operation.
Refrigeration capacity: SmartPower electric standby (BTU/hr)
| Return air to evaporator | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| 35°F | 10,000 | 10,400 |
| 0°F | 3,500 | 6,600 |
| -20°F | 3,500 |
All standby capacities rated with 230 VAC option.
Evaporator and airflow
| Specification | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporator | ES500 (single temp) | ES500 (single temp); ES300, 2 required (SPECTRUM) |
| Airflow | 1,415 cfm | 1,415 cfm (ES500); 765 cfm (ES300) |
Heating (optional, BTU/hr)
| Specification | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Hot gas heating, truck engine | 14,000 |
On the V-520 and V-520 RT it's a MAX-only option.
Road compressor
| Specification | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor | Swash plate | Swash plate |
Electric standby: total current
| Specification | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| 230V/3 Phase/60 Hz | 14.1A | 14.1A |
| 230V/1 Phase/60 Hz | 12.7A | 12.7A |
Weight
| Specification | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Condenser without SmartPower | 101 lbs | 101 lbs |
| Condenser with SmartPower | 190 lbs | 190 lbs |
| Evaporator | 60 lbs (ES500) | 60 lbs (ES500); 40 lbs (ES300, 2 required) |
| Installation kit | 10 lbs | 10 lbs |
| Hose kit | 16 lbs | 16 lbs |
| Compressor | 16 lbs (swash plate) | 16 lbs (swash plate) |
Refrigerant charge
| Specification | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| Charge | 3.5 lbs | 3.5 lbs |
The V-520 RT takes 3.5 lbs with either refrigerant.
Electrical
| Specification | V-520 RT | V-520 RT MAX |
|---|---|---|
| DC voltage | 12VDC; 24VDC (non-standby units only) | 12VDC; 24VDC (non-standby units only) |
| SmartPower electric standby | 230 VAC | 230 VAC |
Standard and optional
- StandardEngine-driven compressor · Direct Smart Reefer controller · automatic hot gas defrost · Jet Lube compressor lubrication · Jet Cool compressor injection cooling (MAX units) · installation kit
- OptionsSmartPower electric standby · heating package · door switch kit · DIN adaptor · hose covers · muffler kit · snow covers
- V-800 rangeV-800 MAX 10 · V-800 MAX 20 · V-800 10 · V-800 20 (10 = road compressor only; 20 = road compressor plus standby power)
Resources
Spec sheets, brochures and manuals for the V-520 RT and V-520 RT MAX. Each opens on thermoking.com.
Every spec sheet and manual- Spec sheetV-520 RT and V-520 RT MAX specification sheetPDF · 821 KB · TK 55050-18-PLOpen V-520 RT and V-520 RT MAX specification sheet (PDF, opens in a new tab)
- BrochureDirect Drive Truck Units brochurePDF · 4.7 MB · TK 56197-18-PLOpen Direct Drive Truck Units brochure (PDF, opens in a new tab)
- Operator's manualV-520 RT and V-520 RT MAX operator's manualPDF · 6.5 MB · TK 55032-18-OP-ENOpen V-520 RT and V-520 RT MAX operator's manual (PDF, opens in a new tab)
- Installation manualV-520 RT Series single-temp installation manualPDF · 3.2 MB · TK 54987-18-IMOpen V-520 RT Series single-temp installation manual (PDF, opens in a new tab)
- Installation manualV-520 RT SPECTRUM multi-temp installation manualPDF · 3.9 MB · TK 55455-18-IMOpen V-520 RT SPECTRUM multi-temp installation manual (PDF, opens in a new tab)
Keep it running.
The service, parts and plans behind every unit TKSE sells.
Service Factory-trained technicians at seven shops, and mobile service trucks that come to the unit.
Parts Every TKSE shop has a parts department with genuine Thermo King parts.
Guaranteed Maintenance Thermo King's fixed-cost agreement for planned and unscheduled maintenance and breakdown repairs. Your shop sets it up.
Get a quote on the V-520 Rooftop.
Tell us what you need and pick your shop. Or call and talk it through.
- Seven shops in Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.
- Factory-trained technicians, with ongoing training.
- A parts department at every shop.
- Service trucks that come to the unit.
Questions
About the V-520 RT and V-520 RT MAX. Anything else, call your shop.
Which V-Series unit fits my van or truck?
The box-size guide starts with the V-220 for a 6-foot box at 35°F and runs to the V-800 MAX for 20- and 22-foot boxes. Frozen loads move up a size: at 0°F a 6-foot box takes a V-220 MAX, and at -20°F, ask your shop about boxes of 18 feet and up.
What's the difference between standard and MAX?
The V-520 RT uses R-134A and suits fresh loads; it's locked out below 25°F to protect the system. The V-520 RT MAX uses R-452A for frozen loads and more capacity: it's rated at 15,500 BTU/hr at 35°F on engine power, against 12,200 for the V-520 RT.
Can it run with the engine off?
Yes, plugged in, with the SmartPower electric standby option: 230 VAC.
Nosemount or rooftop?
The V-520 Nosemount suits small to medium insulated box trucks. The V-520 Rooftop suits medium to large insulated vans and body-on-chassis vehicles with reach-in side compartments, and sits just 6 inches above the roof on non-standby units. Both have the same capacity.
Can I haul fresh and frozen together?
Yes, with the V-520 RT SPECTRUM. It has the same capacity as the V-520 RT MAX, with two ES300 evaporators.
Can it heat?
Yes, with hot gas heat (14,000 BTU/hr on the truck engine, on MAX and SPECTRUM units).
Do direct-drive units need CARB registration?
No. Because the units have no emissions, the CARB TRU Exemption saves you time and money by not having to register units or do expensive compliance upgrades. That's a California rule; check CARB's current requirements if you run there.
Who services it?
TKSE's factory-trained technicians, in its shops and on its mobile service trucks.
Other V-Series models
Compare truck units
Get a quote on a V-520 RT from TKSE.
Or call your shop to match a unit to your van or truck.