Help with a refridgeration unit

[motor]

i picked up a load of fresh produce, the temp was supposed to be set at 36.F.... I think i may have a problem the inside temp keeps reading 27.5 even though i have it set at 36... the produce has been in there for about 20 hrs, the ice that was on top of it hasn't even thawed. I'm new the this part of the industry any help or tips would be great.


I'm worried it may be destroyed I have the unit shut off right now to try and bring the temp up.

 

[shadox65]

Turn the thermostat up to 40 and monitor the inside temp every 2 to 3 hours.

 

[motor]

ok.... now i'm very new to this.... should i be worried that the temp inside is under freezing even though i have turned it up?.. or is it normal for the temp to jump up and down 10 degrees?

 

[motor]

it was fine for the first 17 hrs then it just started dropping....maybe a faulty unit?...

 

[shadox65]

Yes, it is common for the temp not to match the thermostat setting. If you are at 27.5 degrees the load will be fine. I wouldn't worry unless it drops below 20. That being said, turn the thermostat to 40 degrees and monitor it. 40 degrees will not harm the load either.

 

[motor]

thanks shadox i really appreciate the help..... maybe 1 more stupid question... the produce had ice on top of it when it was loaded... why is that?.... and if i had a 36 hr trip would the ice be melted by the time i arrived?

 

[shadox65]

An example I remember was around 15 years ago I picked up a load of seafood from Boston to go to Alabama. The ambient temp in Boston was 5 degrees and the trailer temp needed to be 25 degrees. By the time I was south of the mason dixon line, the ambient temp was 65 degrees. Inside the load jumped to 36. So yes it is a living, breathing animal depending on the age of the unit, and the trailer. Should it do that? No! but it does happen. Make sure you tell the shop about it....

 

[shadox65]

It had ice on it because it was kept colder in cold storage and was loaded that way. Ice will not hurt you bro, only frost will and you are far from that. Good luck!

 

[motor]

Great Thank you for easing my mind!

 

[shadox65]

No problem. Glad to help!

 

[Biker]

Biggest question is what does the Bill state the temp should be set at? Many shippers are now inserting recording devices with the loads that monitor the temperature. If the reefer isn't set to what the Bill states, and the load is being monitored, it could present some problems upon delivery.

 

[shadox65]

That is true Biker,, but if the thermostat is set based on the requirements on the B.O.L. and it is delivered out of spec, the consignee will hold the carrier responsible. He needs to take a proactive appoach to deliver the load at the right temp and hopefully he tells his company what is happening. Lovely refer business huh?

 

[Biker]

Yep. Gotta love it when that pretty green light turns red. :banghead:

 

[patriciajnsn]

As long as it's set at 36 I would'nt worry but everytime you make a bathroom brk always check it.I'f it's red that's when you have to worry.Two times hauling I forgot to even turn the reefer on once I got loaded.It was'nt too big of a deal because it was freezing cold outside.But I don't forget anymore that's for sure.There may be a time you'll pick up two loads going to the same place and they require different temps,that's when you'll have to call your dispatcher.

 

[2lilboots]

Shoot if my temp wasn't that of the load plan, dispatch was sending a qualcom msg wanting to know what was up, why there was a temp difference.

 

[Biker]

Yep.. Thing that used to chap my hide about all that is the message asking why there was a difference between the load assignment setting and actual BoL setting usually came after I had already sent the heads up to my DM.