Large Scale Central

Technology

General Discussion
#1

Boy, it’s getting bad.
Everybody wants the bells and whistles.
Instead of simple, you get non-repairable.

Just the last two days:

2000 Jeep Wrangler.
No charge.
Battery load tests okay.
Alternator tests fine.
You know where the voltage regulator is?
In the main computer.

So, instead of a $30 alternator, lordonlyknows how much the computer is going to cost.

2002 Jaguar XK-8 convertible.
Open the door, the window drops oh, an inch or so.
Close the door, it pops back up.
Except one side won’t pop back up.
In the old days we had a relay. Door handle switch tripped the relay, popped the window down, interior lights latched it.
Close the door, lights go off, released the latch, window goes up.

Guess what this one has.
A freaking computer for EACH WINDOW!

#2

Hey Dave,

That’s how everyone gets and keeps a job. :lol: :wink: :lol:

#3

A relay huh!!!

Whooda thunk??

Now I know how to fix the crap wiring in my '75 LTD and get full voltage to the motors so the windows will actually work.

#4

That’s why I like my work truck - hand crank windows and a rubber floor and vinyl seat so you can host the whole cab out.

-Brian

#5

…I’ll stick with my old Sears Lawn Tractor…no doors, no windows…if it won’t run; my legs still work, at least they did yesterday…!!!

#6
Curmudgeon said:
Instead of simple, you get non-repairable.

2000 Jeep Wrangler.
So, instead of a $30 alternator, lordonlyknows how much the computer is going to cost.


Trust me. Even without a voltage regulator, that alternator will cost $100 plus. It has been years since an alternator was $30.
Ralph

#7

It’s really hard to get students to rethink the idea of automatic “progress” and that everything is always getting better. It’s there answer to every historical question-the past was more primitive, what we have now is always better

I sometimes do a chart where I compare a Model T to a ferrari and ask which represents progress and which is better. They all say Ferrari. Then I run down the advantages of the model T–runs on all sorts of fuel, repairable in the barn, can run well on terrible roads, easily convertible to other forms, extremeley cheap to own and operate, and argue that the ferrari, in the America of 1920, would be useless–it requires a bunch of other expensive things like paved roads and specifically refined gas; the ferrari–or even a plain old honda civic–is a far far more expensive car in every sense than a model t. It costs you more personally and it costs us all much much more in terms of higher taxes to maintain the infrastructure needed to make it runnable. So which is better?

They still want the ferrari.

#8

Curmie,
Getting bad?

You know how they work on my 2005 chebbie?
Guy rolls up with a portable laptop, plugs it in and diagnoses everything.
Crimeny, I get a monthly report from a satellite in space that my oil has a certain percent of life left, my engine checks out OK, etc. Even tells me how many miles I have on the rig.

#9

Hihihi,

Yep, everything gets diagnosed “digitally” … now if they would also fix it digitally - with their hands no less! - than I wouldn’t have been back at that shop within 1 min of leaving it!

OTOH it was quite educational watching them do what needed doing. :wink: :slight_smile: :wink: :smiley:

#10

There is a point to this ramble.
Ralph- That was a $30 regulator, not alternator.
The main computer is hundreds of dollars.
Hundreds.
Tony- No relays any more, just computers.

What we do with r/c is, or so I have been told by several, exactly what dcc does, except ours is external (where you can fix it) and dcc is all sealed up.

Hey, John, my flatmotors, pop the hood and you can see every plug, plug wire, ignition component, RELAY, fuel system component, and even all 48 head bolts.

No power windows in my flathead Fords (or Jag), no freaking computers, no emissions controls, hell, the Jag is the first daily driver I have ever owned with disc brakes!

#11

Hey Dave, just put in a super socket!

#12

Your Windows have computers and my computer has windows! :slight_smile:

Sorry…

#13

Mark- That’s your problem!
If you had a Mac…

#14
mike omalley said:
It's really hard to get students to rethink the idea of automatic "progress" and that everything is always getting better. It's there answer to every historical question-the past was more primitive, what we have now is always better

I sometimes do a chart where I compare a Model T to a ferrari and ask which represents progress and which is better. They all say Ferrari. Then I run down the advantages of the model T–runs on all sorts of fuel, repairable in the barn, can run well on terrible roads, easily convertible to other forms, extremeley cheap to own and operate, and argue that the ferrari, in the America of 1920, would be useless–it requires a bunch of other expensive things like paved roads and specifically refined gas; the ferrari–or even a plain old honda civic–is a far far more expensive car in every sense than a model t. It costs you more personally and it costs us all much much more in terms of higher taxes to maintain the infrastructure needed to make it runnable. So which is better?

They still want the ferrari.


Make a tractor from a Model “T”, or an ice buggy…or a dumptruck…hard to do with a Ferrari.

Did ya know one of the things about the early wheels/tyres was their A) height and B) thinness?

Muddy roads (or snow), the tyres when through to something solid, and the ground clearance was high, so they just kept going.
Can’t do that with a Ferrari!

My Jag, remove the spats (skirts), put them in the boot (trunk) and put the chains on!

Imagine chaining up a Ferrari.

I did catch an interesting quote on one of the Jag forums I am on…

“If the Ferrari president is right about the Singapore Grand Prix being a circus, then we have to be grateful to him for providing the clowns.”

Bernie Ecclestone

#15

My last Pontiac had differential issues in a big way but never left me on the side of the road. Actually there is something to say for simplicity but I honestly cannot remember the last time a newer car has left me stranded, failed to start, or really gave me much trouble.

I have instant heat for my butt in temps well below zero, instant cold air in temps above a hundred, and can pretty much dive anywhere at any time for any length and not have to worry about it period.

I’m safer than I have been in a long time too, with air-bags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, anti-lock brakes, stability control, anti-rollover suspensions, traction control, and crush zones. Recently watched an old lady in front of me T-bone a pick-up with her Ford Taurus at 50mph…air-bag knocked her for a loop but she walked away!

Cost of up-keep has gone way done as service intervals have increased in dramatic measure. Sealed bearings require no grease, many transmissions are sealed as well. Radiator fluid is designed to go 100K. Tires and brakes on my Malibu Maxx are 50K and still looking great.

Todays cars are faster, stop quicker, corner better, and get pretty decent mileage. In many cases the replacement vehicle I bought cost less than the first one and gives me more!

No argument, repairs can be EXPENSIVE, but seem to be farther apart. Of course I am probably a bit removed from the situation as I rarely keep a vehicle for too long but I’m happy with the changes I see as technology moves forward.

#16
Curmudgeon said:
"If the Ferrari president is right about the Singapore Grand Prix being a circus, then we have to be grateful to him for providing the clowns."

Bernie Ecclestone


LOL!