[AT] Can you hear me now?

[Steve W.]

cecil bearden wrote:
> Perhaps I can rephrase that.  Any computer ore electronic controls on 
> emergency or military equipment is BULLS*&^.  Even Keys are a pain in times 
> of emergency or disaster...   I revert back to my Belarus tractors My 96 is 
> the same as my 2000 model, except for about 200lbs of copper wiring to 
> handle all of the controls and idiot lights.  It took us 3 days to get an 
> alternator to charge and the blower to work without causing the tractor  to 
> not start.  A relay is connected to the alternator to determine if the 
> engine has started and locout the starter switch.  Blower motor then runs 
> off this switch.  Causing tghe blower fvan to run off one of the regulator 
> terminals on the alternator.  We had to run a separate wire to the 
> alternator from thw switch to energize it.  It works, we gave up on the 
> horn...
> 
> Cecil in okla


You can see the differences in our fleet. We have a mixed batch of
purpose built and commercial chassis rigs. Plus a W I D E range of
years. (from 1962 - 1996).

 The custom fire rigs of the past were simple, mechanical injected
Detroits are VERY common.
Turn the mechanical battery switch to ON, hit the two push buttons and
the engine fires up. (twin battery bank and each button controls a
separate starter just in case). Pull the switches to ON for each
lighting system. hit the big button to spin up the Q and roll to the
fire. The Q WILL rattle the glass in a car and you cannot miss the sound.
ALL the valves are mechanical as is the main throttle controls for the
cab and the pump panel. Looks complex but it really isn't. Just a LOT of
linkages behind the panel.


Fast forward to the newest rigs. Still have dual batteries and the
master switch. From there on out it's ALL different.
Single ignition switch. Single switch controls a relay bank for the
lighting through a computer which selects what lights come on based on a
program. Want something different SORRY... Electronic siren (which can
almost be heard if you park in front of the rig with your modern well
sealed vehicles). On scene you select PUMP, switch the trans into drive
and hope the thing actually does shift to pump. Our current rigs are
mostly still mechanical as far as the pump controls so they will be
sticking around as long as possible. The 96 does have a POS combination
engine monitor that is one step away from being JUNK. It does plug the
hole in the panel so it is serving a function. Hasn't worked for over 2
years and the company is no longer in business.... It is supposed to
show tach, oil press., water temp and battery warning. I think the
battery warning still works once in a while.

Now if you really want fun take a look at some of the 2007 and up rigs.
NONE of the valves are manual control, most don't even have throw levers
but are directly motor driven. The control panel on the pump looks more
like the dash of the space shuttle and the "throttle" control is a
simple spinning knob. NONE of it is connected directly. It feeds through
about 4 different control computers. About the only manual valve on them
are the pump drains and maybe an added tank fill.

Get on scene and have a failure. Pull the rig out of the way and hope
the second rig in functions...

I will admit that they are impressive looking and the gadgets sound
great in theory, BUT I'd really have second thoughts being on a nozzle
on them in a worker. Probably because I work with computers and vehicles
and know just how touchy they can be. Then to keep adding more crap to
them...

The latest toy that a couple outfits are testing now is a fully remote
control pump panel!!. The idea is that it allows the pump operator to
move around and look over the rig while still being able to keep
control. Not a bad idea BUT I'd rather not have one more radio unit on a
scene with a few dozen high power radios and all the rest of the
electronics as well.
Although it would be fun to "accidentally" hit the Chief with the water
cannon and be able to blame the remote!!!

-- 
Steve W.