Bill of lading says +24, continuous run, or not?

When it's on continuous only the engine runs constantly. The cooling or heating still cycles according to need.

 

Your reefer is like a big fridge or freezer so yes you can run it on either, the key being that the produce must remain frozen till it gets to the delivery point and if the receivers are vigilant they will do a temp check when they unload so that's the key here delivering it on time and at the right temp. Personally i'd leave it on continuous run but that's just my own preference, i just couldn't sleep with the thing starting and stopping all the time.However if your O/O setting it to stop start will save you a few bucks on diesel.

 

It circulates air continuously making the temp more uniform through out the load.

 

Where are you ?

If you are in the extreme cold like most of the country right now continuous loaded or empty. They are no fun when they freeze up in the extreme cold.

Chickens I'd run continuous anyway but thats just me..

Did you call the shipper and ask them ?

 

What is more costly? a bunch of fuel or the whole load being rejected?

 

or road service to get one running again ?

 

True, but the logic also changes the amount of temperature differential it will allow between the incoming and outgoing air [once it gets near the set point]. This is primarily designed to keep it from blowing sub-freezing air onto sensitive product while trying to maintain, say 36 degrees. Also, in Continuous Mode, it virtually eliminates all temp range tolerance like you'll see in cycle. Also in Continuous Mode, It becomes very careful about how it regulates the temp and makes sure not to blow air that might freeze exterior product that might be very sensitive to freezing

 

Like I said more uniform

 

Okay. Uniformity is one thing but some are more concerned with never introducing sub-freezing air into the box. Continuous [above 32 F set point] does both.

Cycle is happy to introduce 26 degree air into the box for 5 minutes with a 34 set point.

 

I picked up my first frozen load in my new TK reefer last Sunday. Ran it for 3 days at continuous -10 and it only used 10 gallons of fuel the entire time. I was amazed. The last place I worked, I ran a frozen load in a 8 year old trailer with a TK and it used like 8 gallons a night.

 

It is my understanding that trailer flexing reduces trailer insulation levels over time. Compressors also degrade over time.

An older unit has to move more heat with a less efficient compressor, even if the design of trailer and compressor are exactly the same.