Carrier Transicold has equipped Wild Water Group’s trailer fleet with Vector HE 17 units, replacing Vector 1550 systems and delivering fuel-efficiency gains, higher cooling capacity and lower noise levels, according to the companies. After an initial deployment of five units, the Wales-based temperature-controlled warehousing and distribution provider reported performance improvements and is now planning to upgrade its full 24-trailer fleet.
The trailers are 13.6 metres long (about 44.6 ft) and supplied by Chereau. Wild Water Group said the fleet upgrade supports its efforts to modernise its UK-wide temperature-controlled distribution network.
Carrier Transicold said the Vector HE 17 uses inverter technology to adjust compressor speed to real-time cooling demand. The unit offers cooling capacity of more than 16 kW (about 54,600 BTU/h), a noise reduction of 6 dB(A) compared with the Vector 1550, and a weight of 720 kg (about 1,587 lb). The company also said the system shares a similar build architecture with the Vector HE 19 and includes E-Drive technology, which converts energy from the motor into electricity to power the unit.
E-Drive removes the mechanical transmissions used in belt-driven refrigeration systems, Carrier Transicold said, and can operate when plugged into the grid at a depot or on the road via an alternative power source such as a trailer-mounted battery pack or a tractor-driven Eco-Drive module. Wild Water Group operates seven cold stores across South Wales and Southern England.
“Fuel efficiency is a major priority for us, and the HE 17 units have delivered noticeable gains in day-to-day use,” said Jon Sutton, Transport Manager, Wild Water Group. “The reduced noise levels have also been a huge benefit for both our drivers and the communities we operate in.”
