[AT] Can you hear me now?

charliehill charliehill at embarqmail.com
Fri Feb 5 12:40:56 PST 2010


So if the terrroist happen to hit us with an electromagnetic burst you can 
forget about putting out the fires that start afterwards.

Charlie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve W." <falcon at telenet.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 3:25 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Can you hear me now?


> 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.
>
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