901-10113 - 5 - 9/16/2024
1 Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a Johnson Truck Body with Cold Plate refrigeration. We believe
that you will enjoy years of reliable service from our equipment and enjoy the benefits of accurate and
efficient temperature management in your refrigerated truck. Thank you for choosing us for your
refrigerated transport needs.
1.1 Cold Plate System Overview
Cold Plate refrigeration from Johnson Truck Bodies (JTB) is an all-electric refrigeration system that we
have offered for decades. The refrigerated compartment is cooled by the Cold Plates, which are filled
with a eutectic solution which freezes and thaws at a temperature lower than the desired compartment
temperature. When the truck is parked, the refrigeration system is plugged into AC electrical power.
This powers a Condensing Unit(s), which circulates refrigerant through the Cold Plates and freezes
their solution. When the truck is used for the delivery route, the frozen Cold Plates absorb heat from
the refrigerated compartment, which slowly thaws the frozen solution. This is like using a “freezer
pack” to keep a lunch box cold, except that most Cold Plates operate at much colder temperatures.
Like a “freezer pack”, the Cold Plate system does have a capacity limit. While the Cold Plates have
frozen solution left to thaw, they maintain the designed temperature. But if the Cold Plates become
completely thawed, temperature control is lost until the truck is plugged in to run the Condensing Unit
and re-freeze the Cold Plates. JTB carefully sizes the Cold Plate system to provide cooling for the entire
route, with more to spare, based on each truck’s design and expected usage.
1.2 Cold Plate System Advantages
The Cold Plate system is a simple and robust refrigeration system. If the Cold Plates are fully frozen at
the beginning of the route, the user is assured of predictable and reliable cooling for the duration of
the route. Compared to a diesel-powered refrigeration system, there is no engine, no oil changes, no
extra emissions, and silent operation during the delivery route. Depending upon fuel prices and
electric rates, a significant savings in operating costs is usually realized.
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