Custom power for cold-chain platforms

Custom Transport Refrigeration Unit Battery Systems

Battery and integrated power systems engineered for electric TRUs, refrigerated trucks, reefer trailers and related cold-chain equipment. Configure voltage, energy, AC or DC output, charging, enclosure, thermal management and communication around the refrigeration platform.

Get a Custom TRU Battery Proposal View the 39 kWh Reference System

Not sure about voltage or capacity? Share the TRU model, target runtime, electrical input or available space you already know.

  • Custom Voltage & Energy
  • Battery-Only or Integrated System
  • EU & North American AC Output
  • Under-Chassis Packaging
  • CAN Communication
  • Prototype-to-Production Support
Low-profile two-chamber battery system mounted centrally beneath a refrigerated semi-trailer between its landing legs and first axle

Platform-first engineering

Engineered Around Your Refrigeration Platform

The right architecture begins with the refrigeration unit and its operating profile—not a fixed battery capacity.

  • Joint definition with TRU manufacturers, trailer OEMs, refrigerated body builders, vehicle integrators and retrofit companies.
  • Electrical interfaces aligned with the refrigeration unit, vehicle platform and regional power standard.
  • Mechanical packaging reviewed against available space, ground clearance, service access and vehicle integration needs.
Discuss Your TRU Application

Load Match

Evaluate rated, continuous and startup power before defining energy and power conversion.

Route Match

Size around duty cycle, stops, door openings, temperatures and charging opportunities.

Vehicle Match

Coordinate enclosure, mounting, mass distribution, service access and interfaces.

Region Match

Configure AC output and charging input for the target market and refrigeration equipment.

Cold-chain applications

Battery Systems for Multiple Cold-Chain Platforms

One engineering framework can support different vehicle and refrigeration architectures while preserving project-specific electrical and mechanical decisions.

Refrigerated rigid truck, reefer semi-trailer and electric refrigeration retrofit work area at a cold-chain depot

Refrigerated Trucks

Custom systems for chassis-mounted refrigeration platforms and urban delivery duty cycles.

Reefer Trailers

Central under-chassis solutions developed around trailer layout and refrigeration demand.

Electric TRU & Retrofit

Battery-only, DC system or integrated AC power options for new and converted platforms.

Reefer Container Power

An adjacent application requiring separate interface, charging and installation review.

Explore a Custom Application

Sizing inputs

A TRU Battery Cannot Be Selected by kWh Alone

Runtime depends on the complete operating profile: TRU load, ambient temperature, box setpoint, door-opening frequency, temperature zones, SOC window and charging strategy.

Refrigeration LoadRated, continuous and startup power; high-voltage DC or three-phase AC input.
Thermal DutyAmbient conditions, box setpoint, pull-down needs and single- or multi-zone operation.
Route PatternTarget runtime, door-opening frequency, delivery stops and route profile.
Charging WindowDepot dwell time, charging source, input standard and operating schedule.
Energy ReserveUsable SOC window, reserve strategy and project-specific operating margins.
Vehicle IntegrationAvailable space, ground clearance, weight, service access and CAN requirements.
Size My TRU Battery System

System boundary

Choose the Right Level of System Integration

The final architecture depends on whether the refrigeration unit accepts high-voltage DC, three-phase AC or connects through the vehicle's existing electrical platform.

01

Custom Battery Pack

A project-specific LFP battery pack designed around the required voltage, energy, envelope and vehicle interface.

02

Complete DC Battery System

Battery, BMS, high-voltage distribution, thermal management and controls integrated as a coordinated DC system.

03

Integrated AC Power System

Battery, power conversion, charging, control and enclosure integration for compatible three-phase TRU loads.

Review Integration Options

Project configuration

Configured Around Your TRU, Vehicle and Operating Route

Voltage, energy and power are starting points. The surrounding interfaces determine whether the system fits the refrigeration platform and operating plan.

Battery

Voltage, energy, power capability, LFP architecture and usable SOC strategy.

Power Output

High-voltage DC, regional three-phase AC or a project-specific interface.

Power Conversion

Conversion architecture coordinated with the TRU input and control approach.

Charging

Input voltage, frequency, source, bidirectional operation and charging windows.

Mechanical Packaging

Enclosure, mounts, service panels, ground clearance and vehicle interfaces.

Thermal Management

Cooling, heating and low-temperature strategy selected for the operating environment.

Control & Communication

CAN integration, state management, diagnostics and host-system coordination.

Validation Support

Project-specific integration checks and refinement plans defined with the customer.

Request a Custom Configuration

Reference engineering platform

39 kWh Integrated TRU Battery System — Reference Configuration

A practical example of how battery, power conversion, charging, control and mechanical packaging can be integrated. It is not a fixed product limit.

Reference configuration specifications
Nominal Energy39 kWh
Nominal DC Voltage371.2 VDC
Battery ChemistryLiFePO4 / LFP
Reference Application LoadUp to 20 kW, subject to duty-cycle and interface verification
CommunicationCAN
Enclosure ProtectionIP67
Bidirectional Charging:Yes
ArchitectureIntegrated low-profile, two-chamber under-chassis system

This reference configuration demonstrates one possible system architecture. Final specifications are developed around the refrigeration unit, target runtime, charging strategy, vehicle layout and regional electrical requirements.

Customize This Reference Architecture
Low-profile dark-gray two-chamber transport refrigeration battery and power system reference configuration

Regional electrical interfaces

Configured for European and North American TRU Power

Output and charging input are distinct interfaces. Both must be verified against the refrigeration equipment, charging source and destination market.

European Configuration

Charging Input
400 VAC
Three-phase · 50 Hz
AC Output
400 VAC
Three-phase · 50 Hz

North American Configuration

Charging Input
480 VAC
Three-phase · 60 Hz
AC Output
460 VAC
Three-phase · 60 Hz
Confirm My Regional Configuration

Trailer packaging

Central Under-Chassis Integration for Reefer Trailers

The reference layout places the integrated system beneath the trailer, between the king pin and axle group, behind the landing legs and ahead of the first trailer axle, near the longitudinal centerline and trailer mass center.

  • Final brackets and structural interfaces must match the trailer frame.
  • Ground clearance, axle-load effect and landing-leg working space require project review.
  • Service access, harness routing and cooling connections depend on the final layout.
Review My Trailer Layout
Central under-chassis TRU battery installation behind trailer landing legs and ahead of the first trailer axle
1 · Landing Legs 2 · Central Battery System 3 · First Trailer Axle
Engineers reviewing a low-profile two-chamber TRU battery system in an integration workspace

Engineering considerations

Designed for Commercial-Vehicle Operating Conditions

System engineering can address the environmental, electrical and service conditions of a TRU project, with validation activities defined for the final architecture.

  • IP67 enclosure protection and connector protection.
  • Vibration and shock design considerations for commercial-vehicle installation.
  • Thermal management and low-temperature operating strategy.
  • High-voltage safety, service access and CAN integration.
  • Project-specific validation planning and refinement support.
Talk to a Battery Engineer

Development workflow

From TRU Requirements to Production-Ready System

A staged process keeps electrical, mechanical and operating requirements connected as the system moves from concept to production support.

Requirements Review

Collect TRU, runtime, route, charging, environmental and commercial inputs.

System Sizing

Evaluate load profile, usable energy, power, reserve and charging strategy.

Electrical & Mechanical Interfaces

Define power, communication, packaging, mounting and service boundaries.

Prototype Build

Produce the agreed architecture for platform integration and evaluation.

Validation & Refinement

Execute the project validation plan and resolve integration findings.

Production Support

Prepare the confirmed system and interfaces for the intended production program.

Start a TRU Battery Project

FAQs About Custom Transport Refrigeration Unit Battery Systems

You need more than just a single lithium ion battery pack​. You need a veteran manufacturer who has been in the field for 10+ years to save your project time, build your brand and grow your profits. Let Bonnen Battery help you achieve business success.

The right TRU battery size depends on much more than the required kWh. We normally evaluate the refrigeration unit’s rated and continuous power, startup demand, target runtime, ambient temperature, cargo temperature setpoint, door-opening frequency, single- or multi-zone operation, usable SOC range, charging opportunities and available installation space before defining the battery voltage and energy.

There is no single kWh value that works for every reefer trailer. A trailer operating on long routes with frequent door openings and limited charging opportunities may require much more usable energy than a trailer running predictable depot-to-depot routes, so the battery should be sized from the refrigeration load and real operating duty cycle rather than selecting capacity from trailer size alone.

A 39 kWh TRU battery can be suitable for some refrigeration applications, but runtime must be verified against the actual refrigeration load and operating conditions. Bonnen’s 39 kWh system is a reference engineering configuration rather than a fixed solution for every project, so factors such as ambient temperature, pull-down demand, door openings, route duration and usable SOC should be reviewed before confirming capacity.

Yes. The reference TRU battery architecture shown on this page uses a nominal voltage of 371.2 VDC and 39 kWh of LFP energy, but voltage and capacity can be configured around the refrigeration platform. The final battery should match the TRU input, required power, charging system, available installation space and vehicle electrical architecture.

It can when the electrical interfaces are compatible. Some refrigeration units can accept high-voltage DC, while others require three-phase AC, so the battery may be supplied as a battery-only solution, a complete DC battery system or an integrated battery and power-conversion system depending on the TRU electrical input.

A TRU battery pack mainly provides the required DC energy, voltage and power, while an integrated TRU battery system can also include the BMS, high-voltage distribution, thermal management, controls, power conversion, charging hardware and enclosure. The right system boundary depends on what functions are already provided by the refrigeration unit and vehicle.

Yes. For compatible applications, Bonnen can develop an integrated system combining the battery, power conversion, charging, control and mechanical enclosure to support a three-phase refrigeration load. The TRU input voltage, frequency, startup demand and operating power should be confirmed before the AC architecture is finalized.

Yes. The European reference configuration supports 400 VAC three-phase, 50 Hz charging input and 400 VAC three-phase, 50 Hz AC output. The actual system still needs to be matched with the refrigeration unit, charger or depot power source and the electrical requirements of the vehicle or trailer.

Yes. The North American reference architecture uses 480 VAC three-phase, 60 Hz charging input with 460 VAC three-phase, 60 Hz AC output. Because charging input and TRU output are separate interfaces, both should be verified against the refrigeration equipment and available site power before production specifications are confirmed.

Yes, but the electrical interfaces normally need to be configured for the destination market. European projects may use 400 VAC three-phase at 50 Hz, while North American refrigeration platforms commonly require a different voltage and 60 Hz frequency, so output, charging input and power-conversion components should be selected for the specific market.

The 39 kWh reference system is designed around a reference application load of up to 20 kW, subject to duty-cycle and interface verification. Continuous load, compressor startup characteristics, peak demand, operating temperature and required runtime should all be reviewed before confirming whether this architecture is appropriate for a specific TRU.

For a typical reefer semi-trailer, a low-profile under-chassis battery system can be installed centrally beneath the trailer, behind the landing legs and ahead of the first trailer axle. The final location must be checked for available space, ground clearance, trailer frame structure, axle-load impact, service access, cable routing and other chassis components.

Yes. Bonnen can develop a low-profile under-chassis reefer trailer battery system with the enclosure, mounting arrangement and service interfaces designed around the available trailer space. The reference architecture uses an integrated two-chamber layout that separates the main battery area from the power electronics section within one complete system.

An IP67 enclosure is appropriate when a project requires strong protection against dust and temporary water immersion, and the reference TRU system uses an IP67 enclosure. However, under-chassis installation also requires consideration of vibration, shock, connectors, mounting strength, road exposure, service access and other vehicle-specific environmental conditions.

Yes. CAN communication can be integrated into the TRU battery system for functions such as battery state management, diagnostics and coordination with the host system. The required CAN protocol, messages, baud rate and control logic should be reviewed with the refrigeration unit manufacturer or vehicle integrator during system development.

Yes. Thermal management can be configured according to the operating environment, including cooling, heating and low-temperature operating strategies where required. The correct approach depends on the expected ambient temperature range, charging conditions, refrigeration duty cycle and installation environment.

Potentially, but multi-zone refrigeration must be included in the battery sizing process because multiple temperature zones can change the refrigeration load and operating profile. We would review the number of zones, temperature setpoints, pull-down requirements, door-opening patterns and refrigeration unit power before determining the required battery capacity and power capability.

Yes. Custom TRU battery systems can be developed for refrigerated trucks, reefer trailers, electric refrigeration conversions and other cold-chain platforms. The mechanical packaging and electrical architecture are adapted to the vehicle because a chassis-mounted refrigerated truck can have very different space, weight distribution and charging constraints from a semi-trailer.

A battery system can be part of an electric TRU or refrigeration retrofit project where the refrigeration equipment is electrically compatible. The project should first confirm the TRU’s electrical input, continuous and startup power, required runtime, charging strategy and vehicle integration requirements before deciding whether a battery-only, DC or integrated AC solution is appropriate.

Yes, depot charging can be incorporated into the system design. The available grid voltage, phase, frequency, maximum charging power, dwell time and daily operating schedule should be defined so that the charger and battery capacity can be sized around the actual charging window.

Yes. Bidirectional charging is included in the 39 kWh reference system architecture. Whether and how it is implemented in a production project depends on the power-conversion architecture, charging infrastructure, control strategy and the intended use of bidirectional power flow.

You do not need to know the complete battery specification before contacting us. If possible, share your refrigeration unit model, electrical input, rated or continuous power, target runtime, vehicle or trailer type, available installation space, operating temperature range, charging source and destination market; if some information is unavailable, the remaining requirements can be defined during the engineering review.

Project inquiry

Tell Us About Your TRU Project

You do not need to provide complete battery specifications. Share what you already know, and our engineers can help define the remaining requirements.

    Get a Custom TRU Battery Proposal

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