Reefer Temp Control in Winter

Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by ZzYy, Jan 6, 2012.

  1. ZzYy

    ZzYy Bobtail Member

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    Jan 6, 2012
    Atlanta
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    Sorry for my ignorance, but I couldn't get a straight answer from my carrier. If a 72' reefer trailer (with a ThermoKing) is configured with the front half being frozen ie 28 degrees or below and the back half being 'not frozen' ie 34 degrees, then if the ambient outdoor temperature is 5 degrees for more than 2 hours, how can the ThermoKing keep the 'not frozen' half from going below 34 degrees when it is mounted at the opposite end ?

    Maybe I should buy a book on thermodynamics, but I thought I would ask an expert.

    Thanks
     
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  3. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    The unit will heat. Just like if the whole trailer was loaded with tomatos set at 55 degrees and you were running in -30 outside temps, the unit will heat.
     
  4. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Nice long trailer :biggrin_255:
     
  5. rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

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    I've been thinking of trading one of my 48's in for a 72. Just to try something different.......
     
  6. SmoothShifter

    SmoothShifter Defender of the Driveline

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    72' trailer, eh?

    Assuming you are running a dual zone TK unit, both units will heat from a -5 degree standpoint to a certain set-point.

    I'm not 100% sure that you can leave the front unit off and heat the rear compartment only, because I never was in that situation. I would almost recommend running the frozen at near recommended temperature, in the event that heated air from compartment #2 leaks into the front.

    My dual zone units always had sub-zero frozen in the nose and fresh in the second compartment.
     
  7. ZzYy

    ZzYy Bobtail Member

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    Jan 6, 2012
    Atlanta
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    Thanks very much for the replies. I guess I should have put a ;-) next to 72'. Would make turning a corner fun.
     
    123456 Thanks this.
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Plus trying to freeze 34 deg product with 28 degree air would probably take 2-3 days to adjust out. If I had ice cream up front and banana's in the back, I would be a little worried. :)
     
  9. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

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    I run split loads every week and just use a bulkhead to seperate the two temps. The times I have seen a true dual temp trailer used OTR or even regional the rear unit was damaged in one way or another from careless forklifts with tall pallets. The extra cost and maintaince of the second unti just didn't seem worht it when you consider a bulkhead only cost around $1000. The only way I would ever consider a rear unit would be a dedicated run where the frozen had to be on the rear.
     
    The Challenger Thanks this.
  10. ZzYy

    ZzYy Bobtail Member

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    Jan 6, 2012
    Atlanta
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    The thing I can't grasp is, if you are partitioned and the ThermoKing is cab end, and the cab end is the frozen half, then if it 10 degrees outside, how can the refrigerated end be kept at 34 degrees ? If you are heating (slightly) the frozen part if at all, how can the back be kept at 34 degrees ?
     
  11. cuzzin it

    cuzzin it Road Train Member

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    i wonder if New York Triple charges of the turnpike for a 72
     
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