Significantly reduced weight, improved fuel economy and greater refrigeration capacity are a trio of advantages found in Carrier Transicold’s new Vector 8500 single-temperature hybrid trailer refrigeration unit.
With the Vector 8500 unit, Carrier Transicold introduces the first fully hermetic electric scroll compressor used in a North American trailer refrigeration unit, according to the company. Proven efficient and reliable in Carrier Transicold refrigerated marine container systems, the scroll compressor has 70% fewer moving parts and is 200 pounds lighter than a traditional reciprocating compressor.
As with other 2013 Carrier Transicold models, the Vector 8500 unit incorporates Carrier Transicold’s ecoForward technologies, which boost performance while providing compliance with 2013 Tier 4 emissions requirements from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
David Kiefer, director of Marketing and Product Management, said, “While Carrier Transicold’s legacy Vector units are highly efficient, the new ultra-efficient Vector 8500 achieves 5 to 30% more BTUs of cooling per gallon of fuel at AHRI rating conditions.”
The Vector platform’s signature E-Drive all-electric refrigeration technology means refrigeration and heating operations are 100% electric, powered over the road by an on-board generator driven by the unit’s diesel engine. Additionally, electric standby capability is built-in, allowing haulers to tap into electric power supplies to run the system when parked, providing quiet, emissions-free refrigeration performance that can reduce operating costs by up to 70% compared to diesel operations, while conserving fuel for the highway.
A core component of Carrier’s exclusive ecoForward technologies is a 2.2-liter engine that has been made smarter through the use of sensors and an electronic control module that communicates with Carrier’s APX control system to optimize performance. The sophisticated, yet easy to use APX control system is now standard with Carrier’s 2013 models.
Compared to the unit it succeeds, the new Vector 8500:
Weighs 210 pounds less, a 10% weight savings, which also makes the Vector 8500 unit between 3 to 15% lighter than competitive units designed for 2013 EPA Tier 4 compliance;
Provides up to 4% higher cooling capacity – 60,000 BTU at 35 degrees F and 24,000 BTU at -20 degrees F;
Consumes up to 26% less fuel over a full range of operating conditions; and
Reduces engine runtime by up to 14%, resulting in improvements in durability and longevity as a result of more lightly loaded components.
In start/stop mode, the greater capacity and higher efficiency also help the Vector 8500 achieve setpoint faster, enabling the engine to shut off sooner, ultimately reducing engine run hours and runtime-based maintenance expense.
Using 20% less engine power than previous Carrier Transicold models, the Vector 8500 unit’s engine is certified for “evergreen” compliance with the 2013 EPA Tier 4 standard for engines less than 25 horsepower.
For fleets operating in California beyond seven years, the Vector platform’s standard electric standby capability provides an in-use compliance option for the California Air Resource Board. Carrier Transicold is also developing an optional engine emissions system that further reduces engine emissions and provides a future CARB in-use compliance Verified Diesel Emissions Control strategy.
