Easy Hose Reconnection after Gas Station Drive-Aways Now Available for Fuel with Higher Ethanol Blends

Husky Corporation, the leader in developing innovative American-made fuel nozzles, safe-t-breaks, and accessories, has received certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) that clears the company’s E25/85 MagBreak for use in retail establishments offering higher concentrations of ethanol-blended fuel.

Husky’s MagBreak product line sets the standard for solving a common industry problem; making it remarkably simple to reconnect fuel hoses that separate following a customer drive-away. http://www.husky.com/husky/safe-t-breaks/magbreak/

To pass rigorous UL safety tests and earn certification, Husky engineers modified MagBreak’s components to withstand  higher concentrations of ethanol, which scientists widely agree increases the corrosive impact on materials like rubber and soft metals. The modifications were made to components that contact the fuel itself, including using Aluminum with Electroless Nickel Plating for the product’s body and constructing the check valve seals from plated metal rather than plastic. However, the separation and re-attachment mechanisms of the E25/85 MagBreak are isolated from the fuel and did not require modification.

“The MagBreak is everybody’s favorite safety break, and this development makes it available to even more applications,” said Husky Product Design Engineer Ted Cosgrove. “Everything about how the MagBreak functions remains unchanged. So, if a customer likes how easily it permits reattaching fuel hoses after drive-offs, they’ll now have all the same benefits when selling higher ethanol blended fuel.”

Customers drive away with the nozzle still in the car often. That’s why hoses are designed to break in two sections when adequate pull force is applied, while dual check valves keep the fuel from leaking and creating a hazard. After a drive away occurs, and if there’s no damage to the dispenser, the fuel marketer wants to reattach the breakaway device and get back in operation as quickly as possible and with minimum ongoing maintenance.

MagBreak features a magnetic mechanism that essentially pulls the breakaway halves back together without effort. A twist-to-lock feature indicates when the assembly is locked and reconnected.

“Customers like using MagBreak breakaways to begin with, as they are easy to use compared to other options,” said Mike Ellrich, Central Region Sales Manager for Husky Corporation. “The market for green fuel is growing and ethanol is part of that. So, this product is a great option for those looking to serve that growing market.”

The U.S. Department of Energy reports there are more than 3,500 fueling stations offering e85 with more than 22 million vehicles on the road that can use e85 (also known as Flex fuel). Both numbers continue to increase.