AUTONOMOUS CHARGING SYSTEMS FOR BATTERY POWERED TRANSPORT REFRIGERATION UNITS

An automatic coupling system for connecting grid power to charge the battery of a battery powered electric semi-trailer reefer and a method for automatically, directly providing electrical power to a battery powered electric semi-trailer reefer battery. The method comprises providing an auxiliary power source and electrically connecting said auxiliary power source to a parking surface charging pad for each leg of a landing gear for a battery powered electric semi-trailer reefer. The parking surface charging pad contains an electrode plate in it. Also provided is a landing gear electrical contact pad containing an electrode on a lower end of each leg of the landing gear.