BRIAN MCKENZIE The QIC-Fuel solution enables the user to monitor the fuel by taking a sample of each sensor as the vehicle moves
Asset management solutions provider QCIC delivered and released its QIC-Fuel solution in February and is optimistic that it will have at least ten companies on its system before December.
The fuel management solution works in conjunction with the company’s flagship QIC-Fleet global system for mobile communications (GSM) fleet management solution and comprises capacitive probes fitted to the tank of the vehicle. The solution is designed for three different asset configurations, namely singular fuel tank systems, dual fuel tank systems and aftermarket long-range dual fuel tank systems.
QCIC director Brian McKenzie tells Engineering News that the solution enables the user to monitor the fuel by taking a sample of each sensor as the vehicle moves.
He adds that the solution is ideal for a variety of asset types, from standard commuter vehicles and trucks to farming equipment and large fuel-storage tanks located at depots.
McKenzie further points out that an advantage of the QIC-Fuel solution is that it works in conjunction with the controller area network bus data of the vehicle to accurately calculate consumption and theft figures.
The fuel interface can also handle an unlimited fuel tank setup and can be used to monitor an enclosed environment that holds any liquid type, such as chemicals or water.
Further, the system has a built-in fuel sensor tamper and failure detection feature and can display the fuel theft and fill-up and consumption rates through a graphical or report display.
The fuel technology connects to and communicates through a locally manufactured platform that enables QCIC to make changes to the onboard firmware and to customise the system for the local market.
McKenzie says it takes about four hours to conduct the initial calibration on the first vehicle, and then one hour for the next vehicle, if the vehicle type and configuration are the same. However, he explains that it takes another hour to calibrate the system for every different type of vehicle.
“The market interest is currently high, as we all know what the cost of fuel is, and how that impacts on a farming enterprise, transport business or mining operation, for instance,” says McKenzie.
He adds that fuel theft and wastage also place increasing pressure on fleet managers, whose bottom lines are already under severe strain from rising fuel costs. It has also become increasingly difficult for fleet managers to manage fuel theft and consumption in the mining, transport and agriculture sectors. Therefore, fleet managers are looking at solutions to help mitigate the issue, such as QCIC’s fuel measurement technology, which ensures that fleet owners across several industries have full control of their fuel management.
QCIC is currently working on projects in the agriculture and transport industries, and is focusing on building partnerships within these industries, as the company has invested heavily in technology and systems design to provide well-priced, competitive and unique solutions.