Fuel pump access control

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brantmacga

brantmacga

Señor Member
Location
Georgia
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Former Child
Looking for some ideas on fuel pump access control.

My brother in law called me today about putting up some cameras at his farm shop. One of the concerns is fuel disappearing. I’m thinking it may be beneficial to put some sort of access control; a keypad connected to a timer relay to energize the circuit connected to the pumps. Ideally he would have a master code that works anytime, but have the ability to add users that are limited to certain times of day for his employees.

I’ve found some keypads and components that can make this work, but looking for any other suggestions that could solve the issue?

My other thought was to setup a system that can send him alerts when the pump is activated. There is no internet service though. It’s not impossible to do but I don’t think he wants any monthly internet fees for this.

My last thought is to setup a timer that would energize a coil to activate a siren between certain hours, and have a bypass key switch he can use if he needs to fuel up at night that will disable the siren.


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ptonsparky said:
What is the distance to his house? 1-2 miles? Radio. I have a spare setup.

Simple key switch. A CLICK PLC with a small HMI.
Click to expand...

I've used these with great success.

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If you don't have the proper key or access code, a sugar solution is blended in with the fuel. ;)

Seriously though, the unit below will provide an alert if the AC power is off (and temp, humidity are out of range not that you probably care). You could turn off AC power to the unit when the pump is turned ON, and that would send an email, text, and/or phone alert via cellular system (seven different destinations can be setup). I've had one of these a few years and am happy with it.
It cost me about $200 for the unit and a $99 yearly fee that covers the cellular service, but I haven't checked the cost lately.
They use Verizon and AT&T and mention 4G, but I expect 3G coverage is all that's needed for it to work if 4G isn't available in the boonies.

www.meetmarcell.com

Meet Marcell

To stay on top of your property’s conditions, even while you’re away, MarCELL remotely monitors ambient temperature, humidity, power loss and more.
www.meetmarcell.com www.meetmarcell.com
 
synchro said:
If you don't have the proper key or access code, a sugar solution is blended in with the fuel. ;)

Seriously though, the unit below will provide an alert if the AC power is off (and temp, humidity are out of range not that you probably care). You could turn off AC power to the unit when the pump is turned ON, and that would send an email, text, and/or phone alert via cellular system (seven different destinations can be setup). I've had one of these a few years and am happy with it.
It cost me about $200 for the unit and a $99 yearly fee that covers the cellular service, but I haven't checked the cost lately.
They use Verizon and AT&T and mention 4G, but I expect 3G coverage is all that's needed for it to work if 4G isn't available in the boonies.

www.meetmarcell.com

Meet Marcell

To stay on top of your property’s conditions, even while you’re away, MarCELL remotely monitors ambient temperature, humidity, power loss and more.
www.meetmarcell.com www.meetmarcell.com
Click to expand...

I like this a lot. This could be the easiest solution.


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Credit card reader and associated controls, might as well make profits from non authorized users :unsure:

Though that probably brings up more requirements that commercial fueling places also need to follow.

Since this is at farm shop and he is interested in camera's might want to send pic's to carrier enforcement, or whoever is more likely to check "on road" diesel fueled vehicles for non taxed fuel as well.
 
I don't know what the problem is. All authorized users get a key, key fob or access code. Deal with it.

Alerts and sirens make no sense. It's like closing the barn door after the horses ran out.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
I don't know what the problem is. All authorized users get a key, key fob or access code. Deal with it.

Alerts and sirens make no sense. It's like closing the barn door after the horses ran out.

-Hal
Click to expand...

Because he believes it is a couple of employees taking the fuel. That’s why everyone doesn’t need 24/7 access.


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We just got a tank setup at the shop for filling work vehicles, it's controlled and monitored using Fuel Cloud https://fuelcloud.com/. Works really well, everyone has a PIN and to activate the pump they need to put in a truck # and mileage so all of that is logged. Downside is cost and as far as I know it needs internet connectivity. I guess it's possible to have a similar system that logs data locally. Obviously there's a cost to all this hardware and it still won't be foolproof if the employees are stealing fuel, vs outsiders. The advantage of a system like fuel cloud is if employees know that the gallons they pump are being logged it may trigger their conscience and make them second guess their actions.
 
hbiss said:
I don't know what the problem is. All authorized users get a key, key fob or access code. Deal with it.

Alerts and sirens make no sense. It's like closing the barn door after the horses ran out.

-Hal
Click to expand...

Maybe he just wants to know who's doing it so he can fire them and be done with it. Rather than having everyone entering an access code from now due to a couple bad apples???
 
I use a lot of these, pricey, but good quality, multiple user codes, can be connected to a printer for auditing usage. You would be able to audit how many times each user accesses the fuel. Don't know if it can time stamp, I haven't used that feature. Wire it through a relay as pump start, with a momentary pushbutton to turn off. Code would be required to restart. Similar to the controls I designed for Home Depots saws many years ago.
www.adiglobaldistribution.us

Linear 212SE Indoor/Outdoor Surface-Mount Weather Resistant Keypad, Brushed Metal

Linear PRO Access 212SE Keypad Access Device
www.adiglobaldistribution.us www.adiglobaldistribution.us
 
Cow said:
Maybe he just wants to know who's doing it so he can fire them and be done with it. Rather than having everyone entering an access code from now due to a couple bad apples???
Click to expand...
Or maybe he does not want to fire anybody, as long as he can stop the losses.
 
GoldDigger said:
Or maybe he does not want to fire anybody, as long as he can stop the losses.
Click to expand...

That may be true, but I can't imagine keeping employees you know are prone to stealing. Right now it's gas, what happens when that gets locked up. Then tools start to go missing. Then you put locks on all the toolboxes. And so the cycle continues.

Seems simpler to just fire them. But, I can't stand thieves.

ptonsparky said:
I don’t know of any secured fuel dispensers on the farms we service. My biggest concern is they don’t electrocute the kids playing around them. Explosion and fire is down the list, just above theft.
Click to expand...

My folks have had a dairy since 1919. It's never had locked fuel pumps either.
 
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