Using Coolbot technology Using Coolbot technology in a moveable containerin a moveable container

OR: All the things that can go wrong with a simple concept

Jan HanscomCarolyn ChapinPolar Peonies, LLC

Don Harmon made the boxesDon Harmon made the boxes

We bought one month of a We bought one month of a TEDnologies box at APGA’s last TEDnologies box at APGA’s last winter’s silent auction.winter’s silent auction.

Peonies in first boxPeonies in first box

We took delivery of a box with Coolbot technology (a modified air conditioner) on July 1.

The idea was to use our first month to test the box and ask for any modifications before we purchased it.

We also purchased RFID technology to monitor temperature inside the unit. As well, we wanted to send the monitors in boxes of shipped peonies to see what happened to the temperature inside the boxes we were shipping via FedEx.

We did not get delivery on this until July 14 so we did not have it for the first CoolBot unit test

The air conditioner was not able to cool the unit if there was any sun at all.

Don came to Fairbanks with the LD3 unit for us and 2 other units that were tested by Lilyvale and Virginia.

LD3 worked with a fan blowing over the cooling fins to reduce ice build up but it was not designed for high humidity use

Neither of the other units worked in high humidity conditions even with fans to remove ice from the cooling fins.

LD3LD3

2 other chest styles tested in 2 other chest styles tested in FairbanksFairbanks

Don returned the original insulated box with the CoolBot and an air conditioner with larger capacity.

The larger unit would not work on the inverter we had planned on using

May have to acquire a generator to cool the unit out in the field.

Drove unit to Delta Junction two times

Filled up with vegetables as peonies were not available

Monitored temperature

Did not cool unit before leaving field so it heated up when vegetables were put in.

Covered with a tent when parked near power supply.

Cooled down in 2 hour when full and held temperature at 33 degrees

Needed fan blowing across cooling fins to prevent ice from forming

RFID tags must be pulled out and read on separate unit so not great for monitoring unit

Turbo tag print outTurbo tag print out