Query Device for Bobtails Over 3500 Gallon Water Capacity in Metered Propane Delivery Service

Under  DOT regulations bobtails over 3500 gallon water capacity in metered propane delivery service must have a Radio Frequency Remote Shutoff Device to shut off the bottom outlet internal valve and shut down the bobtail vehicle engine in case of an uninteded release of propane. In addition, a passive shutoff device must automatically shut off the liquid discharge in the case of complete hose separation. This shutoff of the liquid discharge must occur without human intervention, but there is an alternative method allowed by DOT!

As an alternative to the passive shutoff system, a reset type query device may be provided that shuts off the bottom outlet internal valve and can shut down the vehicle engine automatically within a time period that is 5 minutes or less unless a reset button is operated within this time period.

Propane Technologies has designed such a device that can be added to our standard RF remote shutdown device. The button with two dots that is used with our two-button transmitter on the standard RF device will now be wired to reset the query device when it is pressed. The one-dot button, when pressed, will continue to instantly shut off the bottom internal valve and the vehicle engine in an emergency from a distance of at least 300 feet from the bobtail.

The timer on the query device will activate the bobtail horn (or optional siren) as a warning after 2-1/2 minutes of operation and if the two-dot button reset button on the transmitter is not pressed within the following 30 seconds, the system will shut off the bottom outlet internal valve and shut down the vehicle engine. To continue to deliver propane, the two-dot reset button must be pressed within every 3 minute period to prevent automatic shutdown of the system. Each time the reset button is operated an additional 3 minutes of operation will be allowed before automatic shutdown of the system will occur.

The bobtail horn can be used as part of the Query device.

The Query device can also be made to activate a siren instead of the bobtail horn by attaching the brown wire from the device to the siren relay. Sirens can be ordered separately. The item number is VAP-Siren.