Nov 1, 2006 12:00 PM

Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies says it introduced cold plate technology to transport refrigeration, and for decades cold plates have been a reliable and cost-effective refrigeration choice for truck bodies.

During the day, cold plates act like picnic cooler ice packs and absorb heat. At night, the compressor/condensing unit is plugged into shore power. Refrigerant passes through the plates, refreezing the salt brine/eutectic solution in approximately six to eight hours. Unlike mechanical blowers, cold plates have few moving parts that can break down. In case of breakdown, product is protected for up to two days with cold plate refrigeration, compared with about two hours of mechanical blower protection.

Initial cost of a cold plate system is about 40 percent lower than a mechanical system. Unlike mechanical systems that last on average five to seven years, cold plate refrigeration systems will last the life of the truck body — often 15 years or more.

For more information, visit www.johnsontruckbodies.com.