With the launch of its versatile new dual-voltage option, called Flex Power, Carrier Transicold further improves refrigerated operations by enabling its Vector trailer refrigeration units to now use either low- or high-voltage power sources when parked for loading, unloading or staging. Compared to running refrigeration units on diesel, electric standby offers the multiple benefits of lower operating costs, fuel conservation and elimination of diesel engine emissions and noise.
Carrier Transicold helps improve global transport and shipping temperature control with a complete line of equipment for refrigerated trucks, trailers and containers, and is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.
"The new Flex Power option makes the electric standby capability accessible to more hauling and food distribution operations, extending the Vector hybrid dieselelectric family's long-standing reputation for versatility," said Kevin Williams, trailer product manager, Carrier Transicold.
On the highway, a diesel engine-powered generator provides electricity for the Vector unit's all-electric refrigeration system. When parked, the built-in electric standby capability enables a Vector unit to be plugged into an electric power source. Until now, Vector electric-standby required 460-volt power exclusively, but the Flex Power option enables them to now also tap 208 to 230 volt sources.
"The Flex Power option means fleets and distribution centers are no longer restricted to a single voltage when it comes to standby power," Williams explained. "The new option allows a Flex Power-equipped trailer to plug into 460-volt power at one location, and then be moved to a different location and plugged into 230-volt power, and so on, providing fleets greater operational flexibility."
Driven by the benefits provided, more distribution centers are adding electric infrastructure to loading docks to take advantage of electric standby.
"Newer installations are generally set up for 460-volt operation," Williams explained. "However, some customers occasionally operate in places where high voltage power may not be readily available."
The Flex Power option consists of a specially designed step-up transformer that has no moving parts and is built for the rigors of trucking. Users may power the Vector unit by plugging low-voltage power into the Flex Power receptacle, or plugging higher voltage power directly into the Vector unit. Regardless of which voltage is used, the Vector unit delivers the identical high cooling capacity.
"Vector units with the Flex Power option are ideal when trailers are used to cater large public events, such as golf outings, fairs or sporting events at stadiums and race tracks, where the added noise and diesel exhaust from a traditional refrigeration unit is not desired, and electric power supplies may vary," Williams added.
The Flex Power option is available for Carrier's hybrid diesel-electric Vector 6500 single-temperature unit, the Vector 6600MT multi-temperature unit and the engineless Vector 5100 designed for stationary use only. It also may be used with Carrier's original Vector 1800MT multi-temperature unit, and it will be compatible with Carrier's 2013 Vector units, designed for compliance with the latest EPA Tier 4 requirements.
