For a food truck owner, a reliable power supply is the lifeblood of the business. It runs the refrigerators, powers the cooking equipment, and keeps the lights on. A power outage, even for a short period, can bring service to a standstill, resulting in lost revenue, spoiled food, and unhappy customers.
This guide explores the critical importance of power management for food trucks in Australia, highlighting the common causes of service interruptions and providing a roadmap to a more reliable and efficient power solution.
For many years, the default power source for food trucks has been the petrol or diesel generator. While generators can provide the necessary power, they come with a host of problems that can lead to service interruptions and other business challenges.
One of the most significant drawbacks of traditional generators is the noise, fumes, and emissions they produce. A noisy generator can create an unpleasant environment for both customers and staff and may even breach local noise restrictions.
The fumes and emissions from generators are not only unpleasant, but they can also be a health hazard with diesel exhaust in particular containing high levels of particulate matter.
These emissions can also lead to restrictions on where a food truck can operate, with many indoor events and emissions-restricted zones off-limits to vehicles with traditional generators.
Generators are mechanical devices with many moving parts, which means they are prone to breakdowns. A generator failure during a busy service period can be catastrophic for a food truck. Also, generators require regular maintenance, including refuelling, oil changes, and servicing, adding to the operational workload of the owner and generating significant ongoing expense. The need to handle and store flammable fuels also presents a safety risk.
Generators are not always the most efficient way to power a food truck. They can be oversized for the actual power requirements of the vehicle, which means they are running at a low load for much of the time. This is an inefficient use of fuel and can lead to increased wear and tear on the generator. As one expert points out, “Load banks waste diesel keeping generators healthy.” [4]
Fortunately, there is a better way. Modern battery power systems, like Coolabah’s, offer a clean, quiet, and reliable alternative to traditional generators. These systems, which typically use advanced lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery technology, are specifically designed for mobile applications and can provide a consistent and reliable power supply for your food truck.
There are several advantages to battery power:
To determine the right size battery power system for your food truck, you will need to conduct a power audit. This involves identifying all the electrical appliances in your vehicle and calculating their power consumption / current draw:
You can usually find the wattage of an appliance on its compliance plate or in the owner’s manual. If the wattage is not listed, you can calculate it by multiplying the voltage by the amperage (Watts = Volts x Amps).
Once you have a complete list of your appliances and their power requirements, you can work with us to design a battery power system that will meet your needs. It is always a good idea to build in a buffer of at least 10% to account for any future expansion or unexpected power demands. Coolabah and it’s authorised agents are also able to assist you in measuring the accurate current draw and help design a system.
Power management is a critical aspect of running a successful food truck business. By moving away from noisy, polluting, and unreliable generators and embracing modern battery power technology, you can create a more pleasant and professional environment for your staff and customers, reduce your operating costs, and protect your business from the costly consequences of service interruptions.
An investment in a quality battery power system is an investment in the future of your food truck.