Carrier Transicold's new low fuel level sensor, which is compatible with its Vector range of trailer refrigeration units, is designed to help safeguard the integrity of the cold chain and to protect Carrier's temperature controlled systems from running out of fuel. Carrier Transicold is a unit of Carrier Corp., the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, improving the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Carrier Corp. is a business unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
Instances of customers running out of fuel vary among fleets, but in many cases, this is the number one cause of breakdown call-outs. Depending on the travel charges involved, the cost to repair a unit that's run out of diesel can often exceed £100. Added to this is the inconvenience for the customer and the obvious risk to the integrity of the load - not to mention the additional stress placed on the starting system as a result of drivers continually attempting to re-start air-locked units.
Available as both a retrofit option and as original equipment, the sensor works by constantly measuring the level of diesel in the refrigeration unit's tank. If the fuel level drops below 15 per cent for more than 30 seconds, an alarm is activated to notify the driver. If the fuel level continues to fall and drops below 10 per cent for more than 60 seconds, the system automatically shuts down.
"It's essential to the integrity of the cargo to ensure that the refrigeration unit doesn't run out of fuel," says Scott Dargan, operations director at Carrier Transicold UK. "Once a fuel tank runs dry, air can be drawn into the system, and a technician is required to bleed the fuel lines before the system can be re-started.
"The sensor not only helps to warn the driver of the need to refuel, it protects the unit from running out of diesel completely. This enables the system to be re-started by the driver as soon as the tank is refilled, without incurring the cost of an emergency call-out from a mobile technician or requiring any other form of technical intervention.
"The low fuel level sensor is a perfect example of Carrier Transicold working to provide a unique solution to the day-to-day obstacles fleet operators can face. We expect it to help improve the lives of both drivers and transport managers, whilst helping to increase their operational effectiveness and avoid unnecessary breakdown costs," says Dargan.