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  • From: "gutierrez-lagatta" <gutierrez-lagatta AT charter.net>
  • To: <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Cooler
  • Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 19:07:48 -0800

Paul,
I have a reefer truck box for a cooler. In this area (Birmingham,) I can
tell you where youc an get 30-40 used ones. The trucks cost around $12k,
complete, the box alone without refrigerationeqpt - $500-600, with eqpt-
$750-1,000. Call your local dairy to see what they do with their old
trucks. I bet there is a junk yard somewhere which resells them. The
beauty of reefers is that they have 4-6" of insulation on the walls and roof
and are intended to be outside in the elements. If you buy a walk-in cooler
you will have to either build a roof over it or pay extra for a special roof
coating. The things to watch out for with the used reefers are:
a) does the refrigeration equipment work , can you test it
b.) is there any guarantee
c.) what type of refrigerant does it use - if it is the old type of
refrigerant it will cost a BUNDLE to replace it should the system need to be
recharged at any point in time
d.)what power does it require - some require 3-phase power which is not
available or expensive to put in , stay away from those
e.) If you buy just the box be sure to look for one without wheel wells
which protrude into the box. These require a special platforn top rest on,
plus steps and are awkward to work around inside the cooler.
> I am renting a new piece of land that doesn't have a barn (yet...) and I'm
thinking through some ideas for a temporary cooler, and would really
appreciate any feedback. Some possibilities are
> -used cooler put outside (maybe with shed roof over it, or a sealed roof
on the cooler).
> -no cooler, just harvest and sell (I like this the least)
> -old reefer truck, park it and plug it in
There are ways to convert an air conditioner into a cooler, allowing you to
get lower than the usual 64 degrees that you can get with an a/c unit. If
you're handy or know a good electrician , maybe you can do this. I talked
to two guys - one electrician and one refrigeration guy and neither would
touch it. Plan on paying a refrigeration guy $55/hour or more for any work
that they do, IF you can find one who is interested. Good luck.

Adriana






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