Mobile Cooler

[subzero*psia]

An emergency walk-in cooler, 7 foot by 12 foot... needs to be low to the ground, have its own power source but able to take advantage of any site with existing power supply, light in construction yet sturdy enough to handle the abuse of fast heavy loading. Any suggestions or tips on the system, insulation, construction etc?

[Mike Hopkins]

Dean,
When I first started in this buisness I worked for an appliance repair/ resale shop. Well, he and another chap came up with an idea for the local watermen who wanted a small walk in cooler that could be set on a pad and moved if neccesary. They came up with a skid mount wooden building. Built out of 2x4's and t-111
siding with foam filled walls. Base lumber was all salt treated including floor made of marine grade plywood and all interior joints caulked with 3M 5200 sealant. Refrigeration unit was mounted on the back wall braced with angle iron and evaporator unit just on the other side. Power was 230/1/60 with single point connection & step down transformer for lights, controls, utility plugs, etc. Easy to hook up to generator or shore power. Most were 10-12' long x 8' wide x 8' ceiling. Low pitch roof with shingles
but could be built with sloped flat roof also. A bit on the heavy side but a rollback trailer could pick one up no problem. Most were
set up to hold crabs or fish at 38-40*F and held up pretty well in the weather and somewhat rough duty they were exposed to. 8' was the limit on the width due to being hauled by rollback. The biggest problem we had was the door. Originally the door was wood as well but my refrigeration teacher came up with the idea of using a standard walk in cooler door and that worked well with a stainless trim around the opening, after all he said it was a walk in wasn't it ?
Not sure if this would be low enough for you in height but maybe could be adapted? Just what some old school mechanics did in a pinch to solve someones problems and make a buck or two.
Mike Hopkins

[Reeferjon]

The TK line up of reefers allows for a couple of units that will suit that application.

1. CD-- small enought, internal engine runs 3 phase @0C on R404A will shift 3.4Kw and 1800M3/hr weighs 311Kg

2. V or Vm series with 3 phase only.

As regard the box, chassis and box material will do the job.

We have a range of units, all you do is work out your heat load and select a unit at the higher end of that range. Obviously the range you have will be different to the European range.

John.