Shipping Container as Cool Room...Opinions?

[CMG]

My company sells shipping containers. I had a request from a potential customer to convert a new 20' container into a cool room. It would be done using our structural insulated panels (SIPS), which we use for moible offices. I was wondering what you guys thought about the potential for such a product? The idea would be to utilize a 20' shipping container with doors on both ends (tunnel container) so the cattle can come in from one side and out the other. I'm not even sure if that would be necessary, I think a standard shipping container, with the doors on one end would do the job.

Anyways, I have priced out the new 20' tunnel container with the insulated panels and it comes out to around $5500-$6000 (using a standard 20' container it would be even cheaper). That would be a 8'x20' cool room. This would not include the AC unit or drains, which would have to be done by the buyer.

What do you guys think? I was told that similar sized cool rooms from other companies are $10,000+.

Please give me your thoughts and whether or not this is a good product to actually make available. I added a video below which shows the types of panels that would be used. Thanks.

http://youtu.be/F3qXmP2EEhE

 

[goodnight]

A cool room needs to have a drain, a good ventilation system, and an emergency system if the power goes off, the room temp rises above a certain level, and/or the oxygen levels are off. The width (8') is a little tight, but would work. The door is a little tight, too. I would modify the size of the window and make the door wider. I like the idea of a window, as someone could check without going in all the time. I would install a trough drain into the system somehow.

Aside from that, it is a good price point. I think it would sell. I don't know how much the alarm system would cost, but it is a necessity, imo.

 

[Tallcool1]

Great Idea!!

Small.

I like the idea for 2 head, and I also like the idea of a walk through design.  It is really tight but again, for 2 head I think it would work really good.

 

[LLBUX]

Lots of thoughts on this idea-

R13 is not a lot of insulation considering the heat cattle can produce and the cooling BTUs that would be required to keep it cool.  Inside an older barn or cool shed would save you $.

I would be concerned about the moisture and ammonia produced.  Mold is a killer.   
Ventilation would be an absolute necessity and what is shown in the video would be too air-tight in my opinion.

Electrical service looks like it must be surface mount and certainly moisture resistant.

A sloped false floor(or poured concrete) in one end with a gutter or drain would help with liquids.

I would say this would be a two calf cooler.

Can't see doors on each end as I see calves tied facing the back end.

Lacey curtains would be a nice touch on the window

I believe I would use double doors on the one end or at least one 4' wide door to aid loading calves.

To take this further, an underground cool air loop system could bring 55 degree air into the box for just the cost of running an exhaust fan(along with burying the tube of course).

Spray-on insulation on the outside can further increase R values at a very reasonable cost.

 

[CMG]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Some things I should clarify:

1. I posted the video to show the type of panels that would be used, not the concept shown. So, as it stands, there are no plans to use that window and door panel. It would just be the panels along the sides, roof, and back wall (if a standard 20' container is used). The entrance would be the standard double doors on one end.

It would like something like this (minus the flooring)

2. My plan was to provide the insulated 20' containers to a buyer who would then make the final modifications. I.E. drains, sloping floor, vent fan, AC unit and electric. However, these modifications could be done prior to delivery and I would estimate the costs to be another $3k. The truth is, I see better potential in just selling the insulated containers (possibly with the vent, electric, and AC already installed), rather than selling the complete turn-key package.

3. We also have modular containers, which are built with 4.5 inch SIPs. These can be built to custom sizes, custom doors, etc...But again, it would just be the container and possibly some minor modifications that could be done at the depot before delivery.

Similar to this, minus the windows.

How I see the pricing is this (as a 2 calf cooler):

New 20' insulated container with doors on one end for $5000

If the buyer wants the vent, AC, electric done: $7000

If they want everything done (drains, sloping floor): ~$8500

I'm still in the early stages of brainstorming, figuring out pricing, and if we should even pursue this...but I see potential...