How to power a refrigerated trailer

If you're booking a refrigerated trailer hire for your event, wedding, festival, mobile bar, outdoor catering or emergency cold storage, one of the first questions that you might want to ask is "How do I power it?"

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It is actually much simpler than you may think. All of our chiller trailers are designed to run from a standard mains electric supply, using one of two common connection types:

• 13 Amp connection: This is a standard UK household plug.

• 16 Amp connection: This is a heavy-duty, weatherproof 'commando' plug.

At Ice Maiden Event Solutions, both of these options are available with a 25m cable.

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Let's have a look at what each means and which one will work best for you.

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A 13 amp connection uses a regular UK 3-pin plug, exactly like your kettle or toaster.

The benefits of these are:

• They can be plugged straight into a household socket.

• Perfect for smaller events, private parties, or venues with easy mains access.

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*Top Tips* 

• Use a dedicated socket for your mobile refrigerated trailer or freezer trailer to prevent overloading.

• If you are using an extension lead, make sure that it is heavy duty, outdoor rated and is fully unwound for safety.

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A 16 amp connection uses a blue 'commando' plug, common at event sites, catering venues and outdoor spaces.

The benefits of these are:

• Weatherproof and robust for outdoor use. 

• Handles higher loads, ideal for busy events or continuous operation.

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*Top Tips*

• You will need access to a compatible 16 amp socket or distribution board.

• If there is only 13 amp power available we can supply you with an adapter.

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If you don't have mains power on site, you can run your mobile refrigerated trailer or freezer trailer from a generator.

• Use a generator with upwards of 5kVA available to supply the chiller trailer.

• Avoid DIY generators or budget generators as they often provide unstable power which can damage refrigeration systems.

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Safety tips:

• Connect to a dedicated power supply where possible.

• Protect cables from water, foot traffic and vehicles.

• Switch on the trailer at least 1 hour before loading so it reaches the correct temperature.

• When loading the chiller with a lot of stock, it's best to unplug it from the power supply, then plug it back in once you are finished loading.

• Keep the chiller doors closed; leaving the doors open lets warm air in which can cause ice build up (especially with the freezer trailers), making the chiller have to work overtime, wasting energy, risking product spoilage.

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Whether you choose a 13 amp or a 16 amp connection, the most important thing is having a stable power source. For home events, a 13 amp power socket is usually perfect. For larger events or professional setups, a 16 amp supply provides extra reliability. 

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At Ice Maiden Event Solutions, we make mobile cold storage hire simple; from delivery and set up to ensuring you have the right power connection. Whether you need a trailer for a wedding, festival, market or emergency storage, we have got you covered.

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Any questions? Contact Michaela!