BJE’s 007 Tank Alarm is an alarm that is commonly used in waste oil applications to avoid tank overflows. It is sold with the 007 SV (solenoid valve) or 007 SVT (solenoid valve with timer) which shuts off the flow of oil to a tank when the alarm goes off to avoid over flows. The 007 can also be set up to detect low fluid levels, in applications where it’s important to avoid untimely shortages.
ACES Senior Lead Technician Chris Watford is a self-described “aesthetics guy” who set out to find a way to “hide the wires and clean up the look” of the 007 tank monitoring system when installing them at customer locations. Many locations simply install the components on a wall near the tanks which leaves wires, conduit, power supplies and connectors exposed to the eyes and the elements.
So, in 2013 Watford started tackling the problem by first eliminating the visible transformer wires of a 007 system in a hallway that was frequently viewed by the technicians at a car dealership.
Next ACES decided to further improve the look when they mounted both the 007 and the solenoid valves on diamond plate, which would then be affixed to a wall near electrical power and the waste oil tanks.
“The way they have this set up, it looks really clean and professional,” said Tony Aumiller East Coast Sales Manager for BJE and parent company Husky Corporation.
Practicality led to the next iteration of what could be called 007 system equipment boards. Watford developed a simple hinge bracket, so technicians could swing the diamond plate away from the wall to work on wires, conduits, connections and hoses. Now all wiring is removed from view but can be accessed when needed.
“It was all to clean up the look and hide the wires. But then we started making it easier for people to work on the units,” Watford said.
Watford says the reaction from customers, which include auto dealerships and large fleet operators, has been very positive. He has received several certifications to support his work from the Petroleum Equipment Institute (RP600, RP700, RP800 and RP1100) that deal with the installation and operation of above ground tanks, fluid distribution systems at vehicle maintenance facilities, bulk storage tanks, and equipment that handles DEF.
“Everybody is very inquisitive about it. They want to know how it works and they always comment that it looks very clean, since there are no wires showing like the last one we might have installed for them,” Watford said.
The systems can be customized a bit with desired colors or based on the type of application. One example involves several 007 equipment boards that will be installed in a large distribution facility where the units will be affixed to a pump bracket attached to the wall. Yet the clearance still slows access to transformers, wire connections and other equipment for ready access.
