“From the moment we announced the Vector 8611MT unit, there was tremendous interest from grocery distribution and food service operations that deliver mixed loads and can most benefit from its design,” says Patrick McDonald, product manager, trailer products, Carrier Transicold, which is part of part of Carrier.
“The all-electric architecture of Carrier Transicold’s Vector platform enables the Vector 8611MT unit to independently manage both zones more simply and efficiently than mechanically interconnected competitive dual-discharge systems,” McDonald says.
Introduced in limited-production in 2019, the Vector 8611MT unit incorporates dual evaporators and fans into a single unit for two-zone cooling, with side-by-side compartments for perishable and frozen goods. By eliminating the need for a remote evaporator, installation is simplified, the company says.
The Vector 8611MT unit uses E-Drive technology, in which the diesel engine runs a 21 kVA generator that powers the all-electric refrigeration system. Vector units have the advantage of built-in electric standby capability, so when parked for loading, unloading or staging, they can be operated via a separate power source, providing full refrigeration capacity while eliminating refrigeration unit engine noise, emissions and fuel consumption.
Vector unit architecture eliminates most refrigerant valves and significantly reduces the number of braze joints and potential refrigerant leak points compared to mechanically interconnected competitive models. The Vector 8611MT unit has independent air control, optimizing airflow and pulldown to both zones. If heating is required, the unit offers consistent electric heat, rather than hot gas heat. This reduces system complexity and enables the unit to shut down the compressor and other refrigeration components during heating, resulting in fuel savings, Carrier Transicold says.
The unit provides 55,000 BTU of cooling per hour at a setpoint of 35 degrees Fahrenheit and excels at freezing temperatures. For customers wishing to add a third refrigerated compartment, the system is pre-configured to enable installation of a remote evaporator from Carrier Transicold’s line of full-width, half-width, single- and dual-discharge smart evaporators.
Carrier Transicold says the Vector 8611MT unit complements Carrier Transicold’s traditional multi-temperature refrigeration unit, the Vector 8600MT model, giving customers a wide range of multi-temperature configuration options.
