Can a refrigerated truck continue cooling after the engine is turned off?
2 Answers
Refrigerated trucks cannot continue cooling after the engine is turned off. Here are the relevant details: In-vehicle refrigerator stops working: In-vehicle refrigerators operate by drawing power from the car's cigarette lighter socket. When the vehicle is turned off, the refrigerator loses power and stops functioning. However, some vehicle models may still provide power to the cigarette lighter socket even when the engine is off, allowing the refrigerator to continue operating. In this case, the refrigerator uses power from the car's battery, so it's important to check if your refrigerator is equipped with an intelligent battery protection module to prevent complete battery drain. Precautions: If the vehicle cannot supply power to the refrigerator under certain circumstances, a dedicated portable power supply for in-vehicle refrigerators can be used. A 62,400mAh power bank can provide over 6 hours of operation for the refrigerator. Additionally, the multiple USB output ports can charge other digital devices, further reducing the reliance of other in-vehicle electronics on the car's battery.
I've driven refrigerated trucks for years, and the cooling system basically shuts down as soon as the engine stops. The compressor relies on the engine belt for power, so without that power source, the cooling effect drops instantly, and the temperature starts rising quickly. It's especially noticeable in summer—the cold storage temperature can rise several degrees within half an hour, and I've seen cases where fruits spoiled. Nowadays, when parking, I always check in advance if there's a backup battery or independent power source to keep things running for a while, but don't expect it to last long. Mechanics often say that aging seals accelerate temperature rise, so regular maintenance of the insulation layer is crucial. The key to safe transport is not letting the engine idle for too long, especially when hauling perishable goods.
