#2isgreen

One crappy day down the road the earth will get hit with a massive electromagnetic wave that will potentially knock down out power and communications grid. It has happened in the past, and will likely happen again, although the time line is uncertain.

This type of event could also come from a man made EMP burst.

Depending on the severity of these events most electronics could be rendered useless.

All the hybrids and modern cars/trucks will need new ECU's....

Will a 12V run? Obviously something that's purely mechanical will run, but how reasonable is it to get the electronics "off" my mostly factory installed Cummins. Or maybe the truck will run, but every light on the dash will be on (ABS...)?

JQmile

I have a feeling my 89 Dodge would do pretty well. Just might be hard to push-start with the auto, but other than that I think it would do good when the zombies arise. Also, with enough filtration every abandoned car is a source of fuel (engine and trans oil) that way I could avoid the roving gangs that occupy the gas stations....

ems_kws

http://www.frugalsquirrels.com/ficti...htsout1-10.pdf

I see I'm not the only one that reads apocalyptic e-books!

dieselJon

Ok, an EMP like burst will only effect electronics, AKA resistors, diodes, anything small in power. Big things like starter won't be because they can absorb it all.

Now, when has it happened before?

ems_kws

On page 12?

thrashingcows

I've thought of this many times myself, that is why I'm glad I have the early 89 12V and no ECU or anything, just a 12V wire to the FSS, and cross the starter and away I go.

I also have a complete points distributor and related parts for the 440 in my 68 chrysler wagon. Probably a good idea to get a nice heavy duty steel amo case to store the parts in, never hurts to be prepared.

Douglas2

A big EMP isn't going to hurt resistors; might make the air conductive( so no Otto-cycle ). FET gates will be at risk, and to a lesser extent MOSFET's... Too bad Lucifer's Hammer pre-dated the 6BT or Tim Hamner would have rode out in a W250 CTD instead of a K5...heh-heh-heh. Still would have cost him $250k.
cheers,
Douglas

Trebor

Uh, so if nothing is working and this is temporary, where you going to go?
You can't buy groceries, fuel, or anything else at a place that uses a computer for money transfer.

patdaly

Trebor, who's going to be paying?

And you don't need 12 volts to anything for a 12V, just some baling wire or a cable.........Unless you want to use the starter.

#2isgreen

Ok so I will be the only moving vehicle for miles? Seems to me I could take apart my 5500 W generator and run it off the cummins, and power my house. No rocket science just jack the back right tire up and use some straps to pill the generator drive shaft against the tire and let it idle in gear. And help myself to atf and motor oil to run the truck.

Back to my initial question:
An "event" happens
I walk out to my truck and... It starts? No fuss? And every neighbors vehicle is fryed?

Douglas2

Ask Larry Niven.
cheers,
Douglas

Lary Ellis (Top)

Obviously this is an important subject because we are going to need reliable transportation if we are to meet at the Brewery and find a way to bring production back on line

ppiggppenn

You'll need both rear wheels up unless you've an open diff ...

madhat

And that's why we're friends, SgtMaj Ellis. De Oppresso Liber!!

Subliminal

Total tangent here, but I don't know why they even bothered with the open differential cummins trucks. Mine won't even get out of the driveway with the lightest snow covering unless I lock the hubs. Grrr...makes you feel stupid, driving a big truck that won't make it up a driveway.
[/end tangent]