If you have ever seen a diesel engine go into a “runaway” state, you know it is the stuff of nightmares. The engine screams at max RPM, sucking in flammable vapors from the air until it destroys itself or, worse, causes an explosion.

For 60 years, the industry standard has been the Positive Air Shutoff,  a valve that slams shut after the engine starts to race. It works, but it’s a panic reaction.

At Shordee Generators, we believe the best safety system is one that prevents the emergency entirely. That’s why Vic sat down with Steve from Headwind Solutions to discuss the Shocker Edge, a game-changing device available now at our shop.

Here is why this little yellow box is the future of engine safety

Traditional shutoffs are reactive. They wait for the engine to over-rev before they choke off the air.

The ShockerEDGE is proactive.

How it works: The device actively monitors the air for hydrocarbon molecules (methane, butane, propane, etc.). It essentially “smells” the danger before your engine does.

The Warning: If it detects a rise in hydrocarbons, it warns the operator with visual and audio alarms.

The Shutdown: If the concentration gets high enough to be flammable, it shuts the engine off before it can suck in the gas and go into runaway.

It stops the problem before the stress hits your engine.

We usually think of diesel engine runaway as an oil field problem. But Steve pointed out several risks right here in Saskatchewan that you might not expect:

• Commercial Buildings: If your backup generator is in a basement and a natural gas heating pipe leaks, that generator can suck in the gas and self-destruct.

• Agriculture (Feedlots): Believe it or not, cattle produce enough methane to trigger a runaway event. If you are operating machinery in a dense feedlot or near a manure pile, the air is full of fuel.

• Muddy River Beds: Decaying organic matter releases methane. We’ve seen engines rev up just by driving over a swampy area.

Whether it’s a 32-cylinder generator or a single-cylinder pump, if it breathes air, the Shocker Edge can protect it.

Old-school gas detection systems are a pain to maintain. They require expensive “bump gas” (calibration gas) that can cost hundreds of dollars a can.

The Shocker Edge is designed for the real world:

• Cheap Testing: ShockerEdge has been designed to be tested with a can of simple hydrocarbons eleminated the need for ultra expensive test cans

• Self-Calibrating: It adjusts itself to the humidity and temperature of the Canadian climate.

• Low Maintenance: You only need to bump test it once every four months.

In the event of an incident, insurance companies and safety officers want answers. Old valves tell you nothing.

The Shocker Edge records the last 24 events. You can tap the screen and see exactly what happened: “While I was gone, the sensor picked up 6% methane and shut down the unit.”

It gives you total accountability.

Whether you are running a mobile generator, a fleet of earth-movers, or a standby unit in a gas-heated building, don’t wait for a runaway event to upgrade your safety.

Shocker Edge is available now at Shordee Generators.