Contact & Support
The Circuit – July 2024 Newsletter
Table of Contents
News from Our CEO
Greetings! It is definitely heating up out there. Several states have already broken heat records at the time of this writing. This is certainly creating additional stress on all of the electronics installed in fuel dispensers, especially in the southern states. These hotter temperatures are the cause of some impressive afternoon thunderstorms. Even the best surge protection is often no match for lightning strikes, and we all know that communications boards tend to fail because of them. Our Freedom Engineered FE-29721 Current Loop Board is one of those products that is ready to ship when you need to bring your customer’s site back online.
While we are on the topic of Freedom Engineered products, I would like to provide some background as to why we started developing our own product line. When OEMs sunset products, it is often due to the end of life of certain electronic components. The easy solution is to require expensive upgrades. Our mission is to provide better solutions with top-quality aftermarket parts. Not having to purchase a new dispenser due to an obsolete chip checks the box for a “better solution.”
Another key reason for us to develop a Freedom version of a product is the lack of quality cores available for repair. But many times, we get product ideas from you, our customer.
When we showcase our new products at the many tradeshows throughout the year, I hear many customers say “I didn’t know you made this”.
Our little company is slowly but surely becoming an engineering and manufacturing powerhouse. If you need a technical solution to an industry problem, feel free to contact us. We can partner with you to develop a solution for you or your customers.
Warm Regards,
Patrick Jeitler
Freedom Electronics President & CEO
Freedom to innovate, power to solve.
Industry News
Freedom Electronics Expands Aftermarket Parts Inventory!
We’ve got some exciting news to share with you. Because we’re always looking for ways to better serve our amazing customers in the retail fuel and convenience store industries, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re expanding our aftermarket parts inventory with several new Freedom Engineered products, set to roll out over the next few months.
These new additions to our lineup are not just about expansion, they are about enhancing your business. Designed to boost the performance and extend the life of your equipment, these parts result from countless hours of research and the use of the latest technology to ensure they are top-notch and reliable. We aim to provide solutions for obsolete products and offer new parts at a fraction of the OEM cost. We can offer high-quality alternatives at a lower cost than OEM parts, helping you save money on repairs and maintenance. Plus, we’re making sure these parts are readily available, so you can minimize downtime and keep things running smoothly.
We’re committed to sustainability and innovation, which means our new products are built to last and designed to be efficient. This reduces the need for frequent replacements and reduces electronic waste.
Our aftermarket parts expansion is all about providing you with more options and better solutions. We’re confident that these new products will bring great value to your business and help you maintain your equipment with ease.
Thank you for being a part of the Freedom Electronics family. We can’t wait to roll out these new products and continue supporting your success.
Product Spotlight
Encore PPU
Freedom Single Level PPU for Encore 700S
One SKU = Two Products. It’s a snap!
Freedom SKU: FE-M12893A001 converts to FE-M18902A001
Replacement OEM SKU: M12893A001, M18902A001
Why Did We Develop This Product?
Technicians do not like carrying around several parts and many boxes. One part fits both 5-grade and 6-grade Encore dispensers.
Why didn’t the OEM do this? We don’t know, but we can save you time, money and space on the van with our Encore PPU.
Benefits
- New product only available from Freedom Electronics
- Unmatched versatility and innovative design, which eliminates the need for multiple boards for service Encore 500S/700S dispensers
- True drop-in replacement: just snap off the side, and the FE-M12893A001 turns into a FE-M18902A001
- Included: Single-level PPU board with backlights; no core charge
Passport Thermal Receipt Printer
Thermal Receipt Printer
Freedom SKU: FE-PA04060013 and FE-PA04450013
Why Did We Develop This Product?
- Better printer, better value
- Stop worrying about cores or carrying multiple printers on the truck
- Included: Power Supply, Data Cable; no core charge
Benefits
- New product only available from Freedom Electronics
- Allows for signature capture
- Baud rates set by DIP switch, so it will work on V20 (7 bits), or for V21 (8-bits)
Team Spotlight
Jon Edwards
Logistics Manager
Tenure: 20 Years
Initially, I joined the company and started working in the prep department. Through diligent work and efficient planning, I acquired soldering and desoldering skills, enabling me to take on new SKUs as required. Within a year, I transitioned to the board repair team. Thanks to the company’s tuition reimbursement program and the support of Freedom Electronics’ founders, I could pursue an associate’s degree in electronics while fully covering my college expenses. This opportunity arose due to my dedication and the company’s commitment to employee development. After gaining experience in various departments over the years, I have now assumed the role of Logistics Manager at the Georgia branch. I have cherished the friendships I have formed with my colleagues and eagerly anticipate the new prospects that lie ahead as Freedom Electronics continues its growth and expansion.
Killian Dempsey
Accounting Manager
Location: Georgia
My name is Killian Dempsey, and I’m the Accounting Manager at Freedom Electronics. I joined the company in April 2023. Freedom Electronics is a fantastic place to work because of the wonderful people here. Everyone collaborates to provide our customers with the best products possible and to help our organization grow. The work environment is enjoyable, and the leadership’s open-door policy encourages new ideas.
Outside of work, I enjoy running, hiking, traveling, and playing video games. I try to spend most of my time with my wife, Catie, and our five-year-old son, Mason.
I’m really excited about the positive growth and future prospects for Freedom Electronics, and I’m looking forward to being part of our ongoing success.
Aftermarket Education
Prioritizing Customer Satisfaction
When we talk to many folks who deal with OEMs for parts, they talk about how difficult it is to get what they need in a time and at the price they need it. Many of them speak about the hassle of returning cores for rebuilt items and how OEMs do not offer long-term support for the products they roll out. In the aftermarket parts space, this is not the case. While many businesses focus solely on profit margins, Freedom Electronics has set a precedent by prioritizing customer satisfaction more than anything else.
Freedom’s commitment to ease of doing business is evident from the get-go. Ordering parts is a breeze, thanks to their user-friendly online platform and knowledgeable customer service team always ready to assist. What truly sets Freedom apart is their unwavering support beyond the OEM end-of-life notice. While other companies might wash their hands of responsibility, Freedom continues to stand by its own products and offer support and solutions for OEM products.
Take the FCB as an example. Freedom has been offering a rebuilt option on this item since 2015 and continues to support the Flexpay 2 line through their rebuilt SPOT keypads and the HCR card reader. We recently heard about a display that has been ended by the OEM for support, but Freedom has been sourcing this display for years. We will continue to be able to support it for years to come because of our strength to continue to source the products you need.
If you are new to the industry or have been around for a while, I urge you to check out Freedom Electronics as an aftermarket supplier. The quality will surprise you, and the price will win you the bids you are making. We are not just selling parts. We are building trust and setting a new standard for the aftermarket industry.
Tech Tip
Probe Troubleshooting
Many times, probe issues are caused by the probe cable and/or its wiring connections. Start with the wiring if you get probe outs or other probe alarms. Always cut and re-wire the probe cable connection while troubleshooting, and always replace the cable before determining whether the probe is bad.
Swap the probe with a tank of a similar size to the one used to test whether the problem follows the probe or stays on the same tank. If the problem stays on the same tank, you could be looking at faulty underground wiring. Shielded cable, such as Belden 88760, 8760, 8770, or similar, is required, and the cable should be grounded at the tank monitor.
If replacing a probe, always install a new probe cable. Freedom Electronics includes a new probe cable with every probe.
Core Charge Refunds
Buy outright or exchange your cores for credit.
Top-Notch Support
We’re experts on fuel dispensers parts.
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