OT GPS gas tracker

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 23:13
ThreadID: 44585 Views:2219 Replies:6 FollowUps:5
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Excuse me if I'm a bit behind on this one but now I've seen it all. The man from our gas company who supplies gas to our shop calls in this morning and wants to put a gas tracker on the tank outside! What's that I ask, there is a small unit inside the shop that plugs into the phone line, then outside mounted on the gas tank now is a gps antenna. When the gas gets to a low preset level in the tank outside, it automatically dials the company, and they send out the truck to refill us up!! Are these new or been around for a while?? Just curious.
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Reply By: Member - Steve T (NT) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 23:45

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 23:45
Hey Uncle

It looks like someone built a door.

Steve.
AnswerID: 235030

Follow Up By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 23:54

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 23:54
Too right Steve,I'm just worried how long the GPS antenna is going to stay on the tank.....before it walks.
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FollowupID: 496035

Reply By: theanimal - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 06:46

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 06:46
this sort of thing is fitted to machines on the railway stations in NSW that dispence drinks and lossies etc.

but why would it require a GPS its not moving, surely when the machine requires filling it just dials the distributor, or sends a SMS Message?
AnswerID: 235048

Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 06:56

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 06:56
Hi Uncle, I suspect that what happens is that when the gas level goes below a preset level the device sends a radio signal from the tank to the little black box attached to your phone line. The black box then 'phones home' to the gas company and gives the gps co-ordinates of your tank so that a delivery can be made for it to be refilled. The aerial is only for a very low power radio data signal that goes from the tank to the box on your phone line and is not a gps aerial. Vending machines have had this system for yonks, using a radio transmitter saves running data cables all over the place.
AnswerID: 235049

Follow Up By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 07:43

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 07:43
Thanks Kiwi, that makes more sense now. I didnt get to talk to the guy much at all as we were very busy at the time. He did mention something briefly about their gas trucks only having to go to certain areas to deliver now only when really needed, hence the tracking system. I'm learning something new every day,still at 43.
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FollowupID: 496048

Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 08:18

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 08:18
Great stuff mate,
Need something similar for my beer fridge......

Cheers

Lionel.
AnswerID: 235059

Follow Up By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 08:21

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 08:21
Lmao... good one Lionel.
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FollowupID: 496054

Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 06:45

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 06:45
Coke fridges have had this for a few years now...

Cheers

Brian
AnswerID: 235214

Reply By: srowlandson - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 07:05

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 07:05
Just out of interest, what is the gas company?

Steve
AnswerID: 235217

Follow Up By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 07:19

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 07:19
Origin.
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FollowupID: 496269

Follow Up By: srowlandson - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 09:09

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 09:09
Ah, I work for Origin, I'll email my LPG collegues and see what i can find,

What area are you in?(Which office do your deliveries come from)

Steve
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FollowupID: 496287

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