Posts Tagged “trailer refrigeration”
ATHENS, GA – Optimized to deliver more power faster, Carrier Transicold’s newest solar charging system for transport refrigeration unit (TRU) batteries features an innovative design that conveniently fits on top of the transport refrigeration unit TRU. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
The new TRU-Mount Solar Charging System delivers 2.0-amp power delivery by combining ultrapure silicon cells with a high-performance charge controller.
“With a significantly smaller footprint than our prior solar panels, the new system provides up to 18% greater power delivery for faster, more complete charging of a 12-volt TRU battery, helping ensure uninterrupted performance,” said Jason Forman, associate director, Sales & Marketing, Performance Parts, Carrier Transicold.
Solar panels are being widely adopted by refrigerated haulers to help offset battery draws from ancillary devices, such as fuel-level sensors, interior trailer lighting and telematics systems. During periods when the TRU is not running, such power draws can potentially drain the battery too low to start the TRU engine, resulting in a service callout or battery replacement. Solar panels can also help conserve fuel by minimizing the need to run the TRU engine to charge the battery.
The innovative panel design provides a custom fit on the narrow, curved top surface of Carrier Transicold X4™ and X2™ series trailer refrigeration units and Vector™ 8000 and 6000 series units. The charge controller is integral to the panel, which simplifies installation.
“The location of the TRU-Mount panel has multiple advantages,” Forman said, “The lower positioning on the TRU makes it less susceptible to overhead scrapes that can affect trailer-top-mounted panels. Unlike some competitive units, Carrier’s TRU-Mount system is not suspended over the exhaust path, helping to avoid efficiency losses that occur when solar cells are exposed to high temperatures. The system also conveniently stays with the TRU if the TRU is removed and reinstalled on another trailer.”
The panel uses three engineered layers to maximize strength and efficiency. The light-trapping upper layer is scratch-, impact- and weather-resistant. The middle layer is composed of uncut monocrystalline cells that maximize output and minimize power loss from intermittent shading. The copper bottom layer serves as a heat sink that keeps the panel cooler for greater efficiency.
The new TRU-Mount Solar Charging System is now available for field installation and will be offered as a factory-installed option later this year. For additional details, turn to the experts in Carrier Transicold’s North America dealer network.
About Carrier Transicold
Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature-controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For 50 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative HVAC, refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. For more information, visit www.transicold.carrier.com. Follow Carrier on Twitter: @SmartColdChain.
by Carrier Transicold
ATHENS, Ga. — Engineered to protect temperature-sensitive products transported by trailer or rail through sub-freezing ambient conditions, Carrier Transicold’s Solara™ heating unit now features the APX™ control system, providing improved functionality.
Using a Z482 2-cylinder diesel engine, compliant with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 standard, the Solara unit can generate 50,000 BTU/hour of heating at 0 degrees Fahrenheit ambient to protect against the freezing of sensitive commodities such as produce, beverages, flowers, plants, paints and chemicals, pharmaceuticals and more.
“The addition of the APX controller means Solara unit users now enjoy the same advantages found with our trailer refrigeration system controls,” said Patrick McDonald, product manager, trailer products, Carrier Transicold. “The modular APX system combines control intelligence, temperature control and system reliability with amazingly simple operation.”
The APX controller has an easy-to-read, full-information dashboard-style display and is preloaded with Carrier Transciold’s programmable IntelliSet™ software to easily create heating parameters for different commodities. With the APX controller, the DataLink™ data recorder is now integral to the Solara unit, and a USB port makes for easy data downloading and uploading of information to the controller. Built-in diagnostics simplify service and troubleshooting for technicians.
Options for the Solara unit include:
- DataTrak™ software, which enables remote communications via telematics
- Flush-mount and surface-mount control panels, providing optional control placement on the outside or inside of the trailer
- Fuel-level sensors
- An open-door indicator
- Shutdown switches
Users can choose from fuel tank options ranging from 30 gallons to up to 120 gallons.
For more information about the improved Solara heating unit, turn to the experts in Carrier Transicold’s North America dealer network.
About Carrier Transicold
Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature-controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 45 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.