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cooler for a box truck?


TKK

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We used actual reefers on our box trucks that ran off the cab air conditioning compressor.  The diesel trucks ran all day long so the boxes stayed cool, though we had to turn off the cab A/C when idling so the box would stay cold.  The diesels hardly use any fuel when idling so the only thing you put on the engines is hours.  Two of our trucks had Tempcon units but my favorite was the one ATC reefer we had.  Tempcon might not exist anymore and ATC units are built in Canada but sold around the US.

 

You can also get an Omni Cooler from Equipment Innovators in Georgia that has a cold plate in it.  You plug it in overnight to freeze the cold plate and then it will keep the chest cold during the day.  They also have a smaller one that you can swap freezer packs into each day. 

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I've been using 120quart ice chests just fine since 1995. I use 1 liter water bottles and freeze them. 3-4 in the morning when I head out and replace in the afternoon when I quit for the day and I just leave the chests onboard.

Had a buddy buy the cooler plate freezer unit, was around 3K new and added 800 pounds to his truck so its not something you take off and on whenever you feel like it.

Not sure what the other system costs but I'll guarantee I can buy a lot of ice chests for that many that will last many years and still have money left over.

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  • 2 weeks later...

What if you ran a compressor would it coil a box or are they designed to.only cool Vending machines? I have an extra Dixie narco New compressor? I was thinking running a 2-3000 watt converter to the rear of the box and hook up a medium mini fridge I have its like 3 feet tall...

http://m.samsclub.com/ip/whistler-2000-watt-power-inverter-includes-3-battery-cables/prod2090444

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What if you ran a compressor would it coil a box or are they designed to.only cool Vending machines? I have an extra Dixie narco New compressor? I was thinking running a 2-3000 watt converter to the rear of the box and hook up a medium mini fridge I have its like 3 feet tall...

http://m.samsclub.com/ip/whistler-2000-watt-power-inverter-includes-3-battery-cables/prod2090444

You would probably need a 5000 watt inverter, that's what it took to run a small freezer set up I tried for a while. You need the extra wattage for the extra power draw when the compressor starts. I gave up and went with a battery pack setup for the freezer after putting in 3 alternators in less than a year.

I still use the battery pack and freezer setup for food and icecream.

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The fridge says .8 amps... Looking it.up I think id be fine w 2000 watts? It does have a freezer on the top though. I dont need the freezer just want it for pastries and some chocolates as I dont sell alot of chocolates..plus the room I.have in the box truck is tall wise...dont fwel like buying ice all the time..battery pack? I have one w a built in compressor that charges by the home outlet it also jump starts and has a cig lighter input.. Keep in mind I have a diesel w 2 batteries..and I service 2 days a week 7 hrs a day...how about propane tanks? I have 2 Coleman cig powered chests but they take forever to cool

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The fridge says .8 amps... Looking it.up I think id be fine w 2000 watts? It does have a freezer on the top though. I dont need the freezer just want it for pastries and some chocolates as I dont sell alot of chocolates..plus the room I.have in the box truck is tall wise...dont fwel like buying ice all the time..battery pack? I have one w a built in compressor that charges by the home outlet it also jump starts and has a cig lighter input.. Keep in mind I have a diesel w 2 batteries..and I service 2 days a week 7 hrs a day...how about propane tanks? I have 2 Coleman cig powered chests but they take forever to cool

The cig lighter is not designed to handle that kind of wattage all the time and it will cause electrical problems for the truck. Burned up alternator or worse the heat from the current draw starts a fire in your dash.

Looks like you are looking for the easiest solution and that goes back to the original answer of a giant ice chest(s) and ice blocks. You don't have to buy ice all the time to do this. You just need some bottles with water or freezer packs and just switch them out once in the morning and again in the afternoon when you are done for the day, you don't even have to take the ice chest out of the truck

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I have standard upright freezers (whig I bought used) on my trucks which are plugged in at the end of the day. I fill the baskets in the bottom with bottled water so it will freeze (great for the driver in the summer because he always has cold water/ice) and using Equipment Innovators ice packs. It isn't going to keep anything frozen all day but it does a great job with candy and pastry. 

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Would this work....a 2000 watt converter hooked up to the bottom battery, then hook up a small LG 9000 btu portable ac theres.one.for $100 on cl. Then cut a small hole in the floor and mount it with a good restrain box type out of wood. Its a diesel so im sure.I can.just leave it on while im parked. Or would the movement mess up the compressor on the.portable ones? I.could run the exhaust hose to a hole in the floor...

Its only 81 degrees right now and the inside box feels hot. The roof I.noticed isnt painted white its aluminum. I will still use like 2 ice chest for pastry and chocolates but I want the rear box cooled.

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