Gilbarco Dispenser Twowire Protocol For Third Party Pump Controllers New Jun 2026
Converts standard serial data to the 45mA loop required by Gilbarco dispensers.
For the last ten years, the common advice for third-party integrators was: "Install a Gilbarco Pass-Through box or replace the dispensers." That advice is now outdated. Several factors have converged to create a environment for third-party pump controllers using the two-wire protocol.
For custom applications, off-the-shelf interface modules bridge a modern host system to the Two-Wire world. The Levtech LSP-FCG interface is a USB-powered current loop interface that provides a Virtual Serial COM Port to any PC or microcomputer, such as a Raspberry Pi. It features 4 dispenser ports with LED indicators for link and activity, and its galvanic isolation protects the host system from electrical surges. Converts standard serial data to the 45mA loop
Use a hardware serial spy tool or logic analyzer between a real Gilbarco CRIND/dispenser head and your prototype controller to debug timing variances down to the millisecond.
This article explores the fundamentals of the Gilbarco two-wire protocol, the role of third-party controllers, and considerations for new installations in 2026. 1. What is the Gilbarco Two-Wire Protocol? Use a hardware serial spy tool or logic
| Feature | Two-Wire (New Method) | Ethernet / IFSF | Traditional DBox | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | <20ms (Critical for presets) | 100-200ms | 500ms+ | | Cabling Cost | Low (existing twisted pair) | High (Cat6/Fiber needed) | Very High (Proprietary) | | Third-Party Support | Newly accessible via converters | Native (if dispenser supports) | Poor (license fees) | | Legacy Dispensers | Works on 20-year-old units | Requires new dispenser | Works but costly |
Ensure the new controller has the appropriate current loop interface boards to interface physically with the Gilbarco wires. the role of third-party controllers
: For developers, the protocol is not a black box. Companies like Petrol Solution SRL have developed the 2-Wire Protocol Pump Test Application , a software tool designed specifically for the 2-Wire Current Loop Protocol. This software allows technicians and integrators to send commands directly to the dispenser, diagnose issues, and test their own implementations without needing a full POS system attached. This open accessibility is a major driver of adoption.