Shipping container reefer what to do with the cooling unit?

[Guzrik]

I'm about to buy a reefer (isolated shipping container) for storage purposes, with the cooling unit still in, apparently it is defect.
I am thinking to take the whole unit out, and make a door on that end of the container as seen on youtube.
Does anyone have an idea what to do with the unit? I think there is a sturdy frame, a compressor and an electric motor in, does it have any value?
Anyone on here ever did ths?

 

[James1979]

They normally have a Diesel engine rather than an electric motor? Usually a good one like a kubota or yanmar

 

[Sergei Slovenija]

The refrigeration module certainly has value.

 

[qwakers]

Gimme

 

[Guzrik]

Gimme

But what would you do with it?

 

[James1979]

But what would you do with it?

Build a refrigerated container?

 

[Mikes]

Have a look and see if it has a data plate on it. Some of the more elderly units will have been designed to run on refrigerants which are now not commercially available due to their ozone depleting capacity. If yours is like this, then worthless as a refrigeration unit but as others have said it might have a good diesel engine although some were electric only. If only scrap, will have a bit of value but as many mixed metals could take a while to separate them out.

 

[qwakers]

But what would you do with it?

Aircon!

 

[500e]

Some overhang,
Have a contact for front weights if required

 

[Bornfree]

I'm about to buy a reefer (isolated shipping container) for storage purposes, with the cooling unit still in, apparently it is defect.
I am thinking to take the whole unit out, and make a door on that end of the container as seen on youtube.
Does anyone have an idea what to do with the unit? I think there is a sturdy frame, a compressor and an electric motor in, does it have any value?
Anyone on here ever did ths?

Knock a hole in your house wall. Bolt it on. Air conditioning

 

[knighty]

are you getting a shipping container? they're electric only no diesel

parts are expensive for them.... but if the compressor is dead that's the expensive bit

you could use the heat exchangers to cool air from your air compressor?

 

[Robbie260]

They normally have a Diesel engine rather than an electric motor? Usually a good one like a kubota or yanmar

Only seen super freezers with them and they usually had electric motor drive as well 440v. They were usually kept down at -180 degrees Celsius. Couldn’t afford to be off for more than a few minutes.

If you have a manual for a diesel drive only one be interested in having a butchers James.

 

[DAPPH]

I'm about to buy a reefer (isolated shipping container) for storage purposes, with the cooling unit still in, apparently it is defect.
I am thinking to take the whole unit out, and make a door on that end of the container as seen on youtube.
Does anyone have an idea what to do with the unit? I think there is a sturdy frame, a compressor and an electric motor in, does it have any value?
Anyone on here ever did ths?

Some reefers have shelves & all manner of stainless lab fittings inside , which can be brilliant . Most will still have the problematic old electric systems with controlled disposal refrigerants which become your responsibility once you have purchased it . Best to go and see what you want if you haven't done that already . Some have serious damage to the back doors & floors .
If it's leaked out all its coolant take out what you don't want and get it down to the scrap metal merchants .

 

[Guzrik]

Went to look for it this evening; severe rust, and rusted holes. Didn't buy it since it was too far gone.
The compressor was electric only, and I've seem these used as air compressor.
Will continue looking.
Thanks everyone your reactions.

 

[Guzrik]

Bougth this today, cooler should still work except one ventilator was burned.

 

[beardydave]

The compressor will have limited value as mixed metals, unless you can be bothered to remove and separate the copper windings from the stator.

Strip the fins from the tubes on the cooling coils, and weigh in the aluminium and copper separately, and strip out all the copper pipes.


Very illegal to just vent the refrigerant to atmosphere, esp. If its an old one like R12 or R22, but accidents happen and sometimes they leak out through a punctured coil. Shouldn't cost too much to get an aircon tech to come out and recover the gas responsibly though. And if its a newer gas like R134a, R407, R404a or R410 it will have value for reuse / recycling.

If its R600a then you can just let it out as its propane. Just make sure it's well ventilated and don't smoke!

 

[Guzrik]

The compressor will have limited value as mixed metals, unless you can be bothered to remove and separate the copper windings from the stator.

Strip the fins from the tubes on the cooling coils, and weigh in the aluminium and copper separately, and strip out all the copper pipes.


Very illegal to just vent the refrigerant to atmosphere, esp. If its an old one like R12 or R22, but accidents happen and sometimes they leak out through a punctured coil. Shouldn't cost too much to get an aircon tech to come out and recover the gas responsibly though. And if its a newer gas like R134a, R407, R404a or R410 it will have value for reuse / recycling.

If its R600a then you can just let it out as its propane. Just make sure it's well ventilated and don't smoke!

I already talked to a company and he said it would be around 40 euro, so no problem.
Will try to sell it since this one works(?) after finding a suitable door, to put in.

 

[tom2207]

Knock a hole in your house wall. Bolt it on. Air conditioning

run it in reverse and heat your house with it.

 

[knighty]

If its R600a then you can just let it out as its propane. Just make sure it's well ventilated and don't smoke!

propane refrigerasnt is r290a

r600a is.... some weird mix I think :-o

 

[Guzrik]

I think the container is from 1980 so the refrigerant has to be disposed of in a responsible way, no problem.
I do not expect to be able to sell the unit which is fine, I'll just scrap it.
Will post more when I get it home.