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Varec 8250 TIC

Tactical Interface Converter

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Varec 8250 TIC

The Varec® 8250 Tactical Interface Converter is designed for fuel supply officers, petroleum operations NCOs, and logistics managers who run command posts and control rooms adjacent to expeditionary and semi-permanent fuel points.

Unlike standalone protocol converters or generic serial interfaces that require separate field power infrastructure and offer no system-status diagnostics, the 8250 TIC combines RS485-to-RS232/USB protocol translation, continuous 24 VDC power delivery to every connected 8240 TDU over the same cable, universal 100–240 VAC input, three sealed LED status indicators, and desktop plug-and-play installation in one unit.

The standard configuration supports two 8240 TDU connections, expandable to four, and up to seven TDUs can daisy-chain from a single TIC for fuel points scaling from four tanks up to 28 tanks across a TacFuels® system. RS485 cable runs are supported to 1,000 feet from the control room to the field.

SGS approval for normal locations (USA and Canada) and CE marking support worldwide deployment, with military-style quick disconnects, replaceable fuses, 300–115,200 baud selection, and a powder-coated aluminum enclosure keeping the unit field-ready for command-post operation with the 9760 TMC running FuelsManager® Defense.

Varec 8250 TIC
Varec 8250 TIC
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Features

RS485-to-RS232/USB Translation

Converts RS485 Modbus from field 8240 TDUs to RS232 or USB for the 9760 TMC, bridging instrumentation and command software without extra protocol hardware.

Continuous DC Power Delivery

Supplies 24 VDC to every connected TDU through the same RS485 cable used for data, removing separate field power runs and reducing cable complexity.

Scalable TDU Connectivity

Standard two-port configuration expands to four ports and supports up to seven TDUs daisy-chained per TIC, covering fuel points from four to 28 tanks.

Universal AC Power Input

Accepts 100–240 VAC at 50–60 Hz for compatibility with commercial grids and military generators worldwide, with no adapters, voltage conversion, or rewiring.

Three-LED Status Monitoring

Sealed Power, Transmit, and Receive LEDs confirm communication health at a glance, letting operators verify live data flow without opening the enclosure.

Desktop Plug-and-Play Setup

Control-room mounting and military-style quick-disconnect cabling bring the communications layer on line in minutes with no tools or specialized configuration.

Applications

  • Forward Operating Base Command Posts: Operators need inventory data in the command area; the TIC bridges field TDUs to the TMC across RS485 runs up to 1,000 feet.
  • Multi-TDU Fuel Farm Networks: Large fuel points require multiple TDUs; one TIC powers and communicates with up to seven daisy-chained units simultaneously.
  • Rapid Deployment Fuel Points: Time-critical setups demand instant connectivity; plug-and-play desktop installation brings the system on line in minutes of arriving at the site.
  • Expeditionary Aviation Fuel Farms: Aviation fuel accountability relies on continuous data flow; the TIC maintains uninterrupted power and communications to all field TDUs.
  • Disaster Relief Operations: Generator power quality varies across humanitarian sites; universal 100–240 VAC input keeps the TIC operational on any available supply.
  • Semi-Permanent Military Facilities: Established fuel points benefit from control-room integration; desktop mounting keeps the TIC secure and accessible to operators at all times.
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Specifications

Parameter

Specification

Data Transmission Protocol

RS232 / RS485

RS485 Ports

2 standard; 4 optional

RS232 / USB Port

1 × RS232 standard; USB optional

TDU Daisy-Chain Capacity

Up to 7 TDUs per TIC (up to 28 tanks in one system)

DC Power Output to TDUs

24 VDC via RS485 interface cable

AC Power Input

100–240 VAC, 50–60 Hz

Current Consumption

0.375 A maximum

Environmental Operating Temp.

−22 °F to +140 °F (−30 °C to +60 °C)

Humidity

5 to 95% (non-condensing)

Lightning Protection

Solid-state transient voltage suppressors, current-limiting resistors, and fuses

Fuses

2 × 2.0 A, 250 V (replaceable; part # P116-01-046)

LED Indicators

3 × sealed LEDs: Power ON, Transmit (to TMC), Receive (from TMC)

Baud Rate

300 to 115,200 baud; default 9,600 baud (10-position rotary switch SW2)

Max RS485 Cable Length

1,000 feet total (coupler available for extended runs)

Enclosure

Powder-coated aluminum; 6.3 × 6.3 × 3.6″ (160 × 160 × 90 mm)

Mounting

Control room / desktop

Certifications

SGS approved for normal locations (USA & Canada); CE marked

Cable Connections

Military-style quick connects/disconnects

System Integration

Connects 8240 TDU network to 9760 TMC running FuelsManager® Defense

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If you have questions not covered here, please contact the Cognesense support team for assistance.

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How many TDUs can be connected to a single 8250 TIC?

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The standard TIC provides two RS485 TDU ports, expandable to four. Up to seven Varec 8240 TDUs can be daisy-chained from one TIC, supporting fuel points with as many as 28 collapsible storage tanks.

Does the 8250 TIC need to be installed in a hazardous area?

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No. The 8250 TIC is approved for normal locations and intended for control-room or desktop installation. It must not be placed inside the hazardous area. RS485 cabling connects it to field-mounted 8240 TDUs, with a maximum recommended total run of 1,000 feet.

Can the 8250 TIC be connected or disconnected while energized?

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No. Cables must not be connected or removed while the TIC is powered. The enclosure must remain closed and fuses must not be replaced with power applied. Always switch off the TIC before making or breaking any connections.

What power supply does the 8250 TIC require?

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The 8250 TIC uses a universal 100–240 VAC, 50–60 Hz power supply and draws up to 0.375 A. That range covers standard AC grids and military generators worldwide without voltage conversion.

What do the LED indicators on the 8250 TIC show?

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Three sealed LEDs provide immediate status: Power confirms the unit is energized; Transmit indicates data being sent to the 9760 TMC; Receive indicates data being received from the TMC. If the communication LEDs stop pulsing, a communication fault is likely and should be investigated before relying on inventory data.

What is the default baud rate and how is it changed?

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The default is 9,600 baud, set by rotary switch SW2 at position 5. SW2 positions 0–9 select settings from 300 to 115,200 baud. For USB configuration, SW2 should be set to position 1. The TIC and the 9760 TMC must match baud rates for proper communication.

Does the 8250 TIC integrate with FuelsManager®?

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Yes. The TIC feeds the 9760 TMC running FuelsManager® Defense, making field TDU data available for inventory tracking, custody-transfer documentation, and command-post reporting.

How does the 8250 TIC fit in the wider TacFuels® family?

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The 8250 TIC is the control-room hub of the TacFuels® stack: Varec 7660 TFGs measure in the tank, up to four Varec 8240 TDUs per TIC aggregate and compute in the field, and the 8250 TIC powers that network while translating data to RS232 or USB for the Varec 9760 TMC running FuelsManager® Defense.

Summary

With over a century of tank gauging heritage, Cognesense brings the Varec 8250 Tactical Interface Converter to command posts and control rooms adjacent to expeditionary and semi-permanent fuel points. A single RS485 cable carries both 24 VDC TDU power and Modbus data, scaling from four tanks up to 28 tanks with SGS normal-location approval, CE marking, universal 100–240 VAC input, and three sealed LEDs that confirm data flow at a glance. The TacFuels® communications layer, trusted wherever you need to measure, monitor, and protect what matters most.

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