ATHENS, Ga. — Carrier Transicold says its new Vector 8500 trailer refrigeration unit is lighter, and better performing than previous units.

The company says its Vector 8500 offers the first fully hermetic electric scroll compressor used in the North American industry. The technology was adapted from the container segment, and has 70% fewer moving parts then conventional systems, while weighing 200 lbs less.

“The expression ‘work smarter not harder,’ truly applies to our systems with ecoFORWARD technologies,” said Bertrand Gueguen, president, global truck/trailer, Carrier Transicold. “Innovative improvements in efficiency allow individual components, such as the engine, to use less energy while producing greater results – all in a system configuration that remains familiar to owners of prior Vector equipment.”

David Kiefer, director of marketing and product management, added “While Carrier Transicold’s legacy Vector units are highly efficient, the new ultra-efficient Vector 8500 achieves 5-30% more BTUs of cooling per gallon of fuel at AHRI rating conditions.”

The Vector has all-electric capability, using an on-board generator to heat and cool the trailer while in motion. An electric standby function allows operators to plug in while at their terminal, or shipper and receiving locations. This can reduce operating costs by 70% compared to diesel operations, the company says.

“Vector systems provide the dual benefits of reduced maintenance requirements and higher system reliability because overall they are less complex than conventional mechanical systems or competitive partially-electric systems,” Kiefer said.

Compared to the unit it replaces, the Vector 8500: reduces weight by 210 lbs (10%); provides 4% higher cooling capacity; consumes up to 26% less fuel; and reduces engine run-time by up to 14%.