Thermo King ThermoLite Solar Panels for Continuous Charging and Extended Refrigeration Units’ Battery Life

Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control solutions for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, introduced the new, high capacity ThermoLite™ solar panels designed to maintain a continuous charge, extend battery life of the reefer units and prevent costly road calls for flat batteries. This solution is based on the same technology that was launched by Thermo King in the US in 2015 and which has since been widely acclaimed across the market.

“Batteries, discharged for many reasons, may reach a point where they have been fully discharged so often that they become un-rechargeable and lead to expensive service call-outs and eventually battery replacement,” said Gary Mullins, aftermarket product manager at Thermo King in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Our solar panels enable TracKing™ and other telematics systems to monitor assets over long periods of time, even when the transport refrigeration unit is off, while also safeguarding the health of the battery.”

Transport companies often put significant attention to being in constant contact with their trailers through the use of a telematics system, even if the unit is off-road or on part of a journey where the reefers units are idle.

ThermoLite solar panels help prevent battery deterioration caused by natural or deep discharge through auxiliary loads like telematics systems or other devices, lights and sensors. They continuously charge the battery thus offsetting these loads and help to contribute to unbroken operation of the reefer systems.

The use of ThermoLite solar panels, through regular charging, even in low light winter conditions, and thus preventing decrease in battery discharge, contributes to extending battery life and increasing fuel savings over the life of the asset. The only automotive-rated charge controller on the market, ThermoLite’s patent-pending charge controller eliminates concerns regarding electrical power surges, reverse polarity that creates a potential shock hazard, overcharging, and high-voltage jump starting.

Designed to fit directly to the insulated bodies’ rooftops, the new Thermo King ThermoLite solar panels underwent extensive tests and validations including resistance to vibrations, pressure washing and exposure to high- and low-ambient environments to ensure the robustness and reliability needed for transport applications, no matter what climate a driver is in.