Equipment

Carrier boosts refrigeration visibility and shore power

April 4, 2007

Carrier Transicold has announced it is expanding its recently created third-party protocol

Carrier Transicold has announced it is expanding its recently created third-party protocol, designed to permit telematics providers to interface with the company’s refrigeration systems for centralized monitoring and control.

The current list of telematics providers offering services compatible with Carrier’s DataTrak protocol include: Qualcomm, Inc.; StarTrak LLC; Terion, Inc.; PAR Logistics Management Systems, Satamatics, Ltd.; and InterLink Logistics Technologies.

DataTrak is a software upgrade for Carrier’s truck and trailer unit controllers.

Carrier Transicold also offers a hybrid diesel-electric multi-temperature refrigeration system, dubbed the Vector 1800MT, which uses electricity from a high-performance generator to run the compressor, evaporator and condenser fans and heating system. Because it is electric, it can also be plugged into an AC power supply (shore power) when it is available and the trailer is parked.

For trailers that must sit a long time from loading to departure, this can mean big fuel savings, Carrier said. According to a current study co-funded by the U.S. EPA and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and bringing together a number of industry participants including Carrier Transicold and Shurepower, one refrigeration unit switching to shore power during mandated ten-hour rest periods, can realize a fuel savings of approximately 2,200 gallons of fuel per year.

The full project proposal is available by checking the link provided at www.shurepower.com/shureRD.htm.

About the Author

Wendy Leavitt

Wendy Leavitt joined Fleet Owner in 1998 after serving as editor-in-chief of Trucking Technology magazine for four years.

She began her career in the trucking industry at Kenworth Truck Company in Kirkland, WA where she spent 16 years—the first five years as safety and compliance manager in the engineering department and more than a decade as the company’s manager of advertising and public relations. She has also worked as a book editor, guided authors through the self-publishing process and operated her own marketing and public relations business.

Wendy has a Masters Degree in English and Art History from Western Washington University, where, as a graduate student, she also taught writing.