Is it ok to turn off a refr unit while it is in defrost mode?

I read on here or somewhere about shutting it off while fueling and what did I do fueled with it running and got a ##### load of air in the lines took me a while to figure out what happened but I was all ready at thermo king after hours with a -20 load and the reefer was at 28 $285 lesson

 

Pmracing, it's mostly a rule if your reefer tank is low (i.e, less than 1/4th). Not sure how, but it can suck air rather than diesel into the line. Won't shut off immediately. Will do it down the road.

Out of habit, I turn off my reefer when I'm fueling the reefer (only when walking back to start pumping for the reefer) and then turn it on when I'm about to pull up to the pay lane.

 

Imagine how the people that washed it out felt!

 

Shutting the reefer off during defrost can cause an alarm / error. When the unit is in defrost mode the system has to heat the coils above 40 F for the ice to melt. The cooling system valves are shut. this could cause a build up of pressure on the system if it is not fully cycled. let it finish defrosting then shut down.

When running a cooler at -20 the system will stay cool due to ice built up even when the unit is off for several hours. You'll notice water draining from the system as the temp inside the box rises. but there is also a chance the ice build up can restrict flow or cause other problems with maintaining -20.

Here is a fix, turn off the unit for 30 min. Then do a " self test pre-trip " on it and check the status when complete. If normal, the unit should reach -20 return. It can maintain -20 when on continuous at low speed cool for Ice Cream. Fill up once every day at the same time to monitor fuel usuage when doing long hauls. should use about 20 gal per day on continuous. Never let it run out of fuel!

Welcome to the summer...and -20 loads.

 

Never let it run out of fuel! That goes for any diesel or gas powered device

 

Full fuel tank and a clean body good way to end the day

 

Not much matches the entertainment value of watching the panic and excitement of someone else hand priming their out of fuel reefer with a load on board.

 

Glad you didnt see me with the air hose stuffed in the tank you would have felt over laughing