Had a reefer break down. Learned a couple valuable tips to save you some money and hassle

[@DIYSEMI]

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[@bigmike9060]

Two items to have on hand for your refer. 1 extra alternator belt (cheap at dealers). Spare fuel filter (cheap at Napa or dealers). On the carrier and I do believe thermo King also the alternator belt also runs water pump on unit

[@DIYSEMI]

Good thinkin

[@markm0000]

That’s a valuable lesson. I plan on adding a second connector to the trailer for battery charged back up and a reverse camera and a box camera. Also to have the warning siren inside the cab so I can wake up at night if there’s a problem.

[@DIYSEMI]

Hey... Thats a good idea

[@jti2007]

I made a set of jumper cables with round eyes on the battery ends and welder connectors I the middle. On set goes to the truck and the other one goes onto the trailer. At night I’ll run the reefer on continuous and keep my tractor batteries charged up since I use a bunk heater to heat my cab. I’ve been able to jump start both the reefer and truck engine by starting the other engine. I also had an alternator go out and I finished a 4 day frozen trip by jumping the reefer from the tractor.

[@DIYSEMI]

Well done !

[@bigmike9060]

One other thing. When the alternator goes bad they will run continuous mode until fixed. Typically on low speed

[@DIYSEMI]

Yes, start and stop will draw too much on the battery.

[@alanbozard4701]

Put in continuous and ride out big dawg!!!

[@kellyhoneyfeloncdljourney]

Cool, thanks for the knowledge.

[@kelleyskitchen9046]

Keep up the good work. Always worth learning.

[@newarkmuslim]

Dude, you have awsome videos

[@CashisKingtrucking]

👍

[@Acts238Church]

Good vid, don't miss my refer days at all.

[@markm0000]

That’s interesting that my carrier mechanic told me if the battery drops below 12 V some of the sensors stop working right. I had the same problem in my unit couldn’t keep the right temperature they kept cycling up and down without an alternator. I think it also just depends on the battery and how old they can supply a steady stream of power.

[@DIYSEMI]

Yes, low voltage can cause a variety of boogeymen

[@Acts238Church]

All that snow tho😯

[@CashisKingtrucking]

I'm going to open a shop and sell nothing but "shop supplies".

[@DIYSEMI]

Brilliant!

[@mrfree1445]

Do you recall roughly how many hours were on the unit when it went out? What is your opinion on the Carrier 7500 and did you go with it over the 7300 for any specific reason? I pull reefer as well and just gathering knowledge. Thanks for making useful content - I sincerely appreciate it.

[@DIYSEMI]

It was about 10,200 hours. 7500 is a little higher capacity. I would have still bought it if it were a 7300 on here. I couldnt pass on the trailer. Both good units.Bought it used, i really like it. Its a bit louder than a tk, but it has some advantages. It was designed to be carb compliant forever, but no egr or emmisions. Its pretty fuel efficient. Has neen very reliable for me. Only real issue is a small crack in the exhaust manifold, whivh is a common issue with these.$1000 to fix, but it can wait til i have some downtime scheduled. Not hurting anything, just makes a ticking soud.

[@mrfree1445]

Thank you for the thorough reply. Both of the 2017 Great Dane trailers I’m looking to buy have Carrier units; one has the 7300 and the other 7500. Knowledge is power so I appreciate your sharing yours. Stay safe out there!

[@damnitdang]

@@DIYSEMI I used to work on carriers reefer for union pacific and over there ,before I left... we would replace all alternator at 6k hrs. And at 8k hrs. Replace the alt belt... part of the PM service that carrier and UP found what needs to be service before it breaks. And most alternator breaks around 8 to 9k hrs

[@superfly4137]

im not experienced in the refeer world but could've an APU helped out in this situation?

[@DIYSEMI]

potentially yes