Products

 
Gilbarco Advantage
 
Description
In 2001, Gilbarco introduced the Encore and Eclipse model dispensers, intending them to replace the Advantage. For a number of reasons, including serious software problems with the Encore, this did not occur for almost two years. In 2002, Gilbarco finally ended new Advantage production and transitioned the product to their Remanufacturing division. There is still high demand for this solid performer.
 
 
The Advantage is a modern, modular, design available in a wide variety of configurations. Each nozzle position is an individual hydraulic mechanical module, so a unit is easily assembled in 2-, 3-, and 4-hose widths, either singleor dual-sided.
 
The electronics section of the dispenser is highly
modular as well. The dial face in the “refrigerator” style access door (hinged on the left side) is easily changed to suit the electronic modules installed inside. The card reader (CRIND) shown in the drawing is a popular option with major oil companies.
The Advantage is offered in both narrow (36”) and wide (48”) chassis. Both chassis will accept the optional card reader (CRIND) and cash acceptor systems.
 
 
 
Electronics
From an electronics standpoint, the Advantage is
basically a modified modular (MPD-3) dispenser. The early Advantage units used many of the same or similar parts as the modular line. These included the regulator board, the hydraulic interface and the power supply.
The Advantage uses LCD displays for longer life. It also uses a new pulser (T18350-G3) design. In the Advantage, the pulser is inside the
electronics cabinet so it no longer needs an intrinsic safety (IS) barrier. The T18350-G3 has
an equivalent internal circuit to allow the data signals to look the same as a unit that does require an IS barrier.
 
 
Popular Production Options
 
The current generation of dispensers, including the Advantage, typically offers the following production options: Stage II vapor assist, various character-oriented and graphics displays, customer preset, multilevel (cash/credit) pricing, card readers, cash acceptors, and radio-linked customer identification. The Advantage is
available in both lift-to-start and push-to-start versions.
 
The Advantage is manufactured in both 36” and 48” chassis widths. The 48” width is the most common, but the smaller chassis is popular with some major oil companies and is often used to upgrade islands where single- and dual-hose dispensers were originally installed.
 
The canopy (valance) is optional. All Gilbarco MPDs from the A3 through the Advantage use the same canopy sides and ends. Mounting brackets vary from model to model.
 
 
Retrofit Options
Because of the modular nature of current production dispensers, all major production options (see above) are available as retrofit kits. Upgrades are typically costly, but are often covered by upgrade subsidy programs from major oil companies.
 
 
Suction Pumps and Blenders
 
The Advantage is manufactured in both fixed- (B6x) and programmable- (B7x) blender configurations. The singlehose programmable blender is currently a very highdemand unit and examples sell quickly on the used equipment market.
The Advantage is also manufactured in a suction pump configuration. These units are very rare, however, and generally unavailable on the used equipment market.
 
 
Console Compatibility
 
T-12A,C,&G; TS-1000, TCRG & G/2, TCR-15/G-Site. Requires distribution box between console and dispensers. The Triangle MicroSystems MPC will also operate the Advantage.
 
 
Comments/Usage Recommendation
 
The Advantage is probably the highest-demand product on the used equipment market. Availability of 6-hose units is good, with other configurations available from time to time. The most popular options are card-readers
(CRIND) and assist vapor (Vapor-Vac) are also available, but less common.
 
Although the Advantage series is new enough that meter leaks are not common, the potential need to replace meters is still a consideration with any Gilbarco equipment.