FAQ's

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Introduction
1. Is there any advantage in an all electric unit?
2. Is there any money saved by using an electric unit instead of a diesel engine?
3. Are there any other advantages to an all electric unit?
4. What size generator must I have for electric units?
5. How do I order equipment and what do I get

Introduction:

Transport refrigeration has been dominated by two major companies for most of the past 70 years. Lacking any other competition, they haven't been interested in providing a new type of equipment that is not based on their design of having a diesel engine incorporated into the unit. For example, the "newest" unit by Transicold is a combination of old and older technology. They now install a diesel generator in a package with a standard electric compressor. Sounds good until you realize that there is still a diesel engine in there drinking fuel and emitting carbon.

1. Is there any advantage to using a pure electric unit?

Yes. TTR incorporates a hydraulic driven generator that is powered off the gear train of the engine. One advantage is that a electric unit can be powered from more than one source without changing the way it operates. For example, a truck with a generator on the tractor engine operates exactly like a diesel powered one as long as the main engine is running. One big advantage of an engine driven generator is it only uses the power needed with an efficiency of nearly 95%. Whereas, a second diesel is about 60% efficient and runs at a set rpm to maintain a required amount of power if needed. One of the greatest advantages is the ability to plug the unit into any 208/220 AC power source. A diesel powered reefer consumes about one gallon of fuel per hour. A modern Class 8 tractor engine burns about a quarter to a half gallon an hour at idle while it also supplies needed power for required systems.

2. Is there any money saved by using an electric unit instead of a diesel driven unit?

Yes. When a refrigeration unit is driven by a diesel engine, the engine has to produce enough horsepower at all times to provide the maximum horsepower needed by the refrigeration under the most demanding conditions. In addition to a required excess of horsepower being available at all times, the diesel must also operate at a horsepower and RPM rating 20% above anything needed just to insure its continued operation. With a TTR unit, electric power is provided by a hydraulic driven generator. The engine provides more than enough horsepower to drive another 10 to 17 horsepower without affecting its operation. In addition, it usually provides an added power consumption that actually increases the overall efficiency of the tractor engine. Under most conditions, the added diesel fuel consumed cannot be easily calculated because of the added efficiency factor of the driving engine. In tests, the extra amount of fuel used was minimal and hard to calculate.

3. Are there any other advantages to an all electric unit?

Yes. The components in an electric driven refrigeration unit are much smaller and lighter than the diesel parts. If it becomes necessary to replace a component, the part can be removed quickly and easily by one person, with one exception -- the compressor. It weighs 221 pounds. The total weight of a pure electric is about 1,000 pounds less than a standard full size Transicold or Thermo King unit.

4. What size generator must I have for electric units?

All TTR units are supplied with a complete generator system that can be tractor mounted in less than a few hours. In the event of a tractor break-down on the road, any generator of 15 kw, or more, could supply power to the trailer while waiting for a replacement tractor. In almost all cases though, the trailer can be left closed until a replacement tractor is available. In very rare circumstances, the trailer could be towed to a refrigerated warehouse until a replacement tractor is available. It is very rare, with today's equipment, that a trailer would need to be disconnected for any length of time. If it was a concern, a separate high speed generator set could be installed under the trailer for emergency operation of the reefer.

5. How do I order equipment and what do I get?

TTR is in the early stages of expansion and will strive to provide all customers with the equipment they request at the earliest date possible. Eventually, TTR will stock remanufactured units ready for rapid replacement as well as new units. TTR's plan is to have a few replacement facilities across the country that will carry units in stock and have the ability to repair equipment in the unlikely event of a break down. In addition, TTR will be working with existing regional repair facilities to supply the back-up needed for all units. In the meantime, customers who wish to have more than one unit converted, may elect to drop off trailers, or units, for conversion and pick-up. New units are expected to be available for purchase in 2012.