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Sorry to see that happen. I agree, I hope the rodent fried with it.
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M923 on fire
- Thread starter 63foxtrot
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I've seen PCBs "explode" (have the bottom fall out) as the result of a fire(not the cause).
Only speculating but, maybe a battery disconnect (on the ground) could have prevented this.
Please keep us informed if you had insurance, and how that goes.
Only speculating but, maybe a battery disconnect (on the ground) could have prevented this.
Please keep us informed if you had insurance, and how that goes.
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In the past, the M939 series trucks had a flaw that caused MANY to burst into flames. There is a power cable that crosses underneath of the cab and often sits right on top of the transmission. This cable gets hot...and melts the insulation away. Years ago, you'd often see burnt M939 series trucks come out. The last one that I recall came out of NJ and Dave Newman of Eastern Surplus got it. I thought I read that the military had a "fix" for this that either further insulated that cable or raised it above the transmission. I can't remember the details, but maybe someone can find the article.
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Maybe, Jeff Symanski has more info on this.
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Was there a charger connected to the battery?
I concur. I have battery disconnects (always in the ground cable) on most of my vehicles, for this and other reasons.
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no charger, nothing connected to it. sat there for over 3 month in the same spot.
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When I got my first place away from home, I had a small dwarf rabbit that I let run all over inside. He was even litter trained. But after a short period found he had chewed every extension cord, cable tv wire, telephone cord etc right down to the wire that had juice going though it. Obviously he was getting "charged" by biting. I talked to a vet and he confirmed they like doing it similar to squirrels on electricity lines not only to gnaw down their teeth but they get a "kick" from the electricity. They seem to sense or know that the wires are hot.
Rabbits and Rats/rodents and in my parts raccoons/possums are some incredibly destructive animals. Absolutely nothing cute about them.
Rabbits and Rats/rodents and in my parts raccoons/possums are some incredibly destructive animals. Absolutely nothing cute about them.
Scarecrow1
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I am so sorry for your loss. Maybe it's the paranoid side of me but, It sat for three months and then poof? I find it hard to believe that it was a short. Most shorts will drain the battery and or blow fusses and or breakers but, smolder for three months I find hard to believe . Not to start an argument but, I will be putting my cut off on the positive side not the ground . Some say six of one a half dozen of the other . The reason is the truck is grounded more than one place in the system so in a fluke it is possible for a ground to be established but, you cut the positive side and it's all over. It wouldn't matter if a rat or rabbit chewed it's self to death no power no short. There is no other power supply except if the truck is running. I never leave the battery box open because of the theft possibilities. Most don't even know where they are so it's harder for them to steel what they can't find. Again sorry for your loss.....
Barfkiller
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I can not even imagine the sickness you must feel. I would be almost as grief stricken from losing my truck as I would a family member. So sorry for your loss.......
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Maybe it was ........
wait for it............
FIRE ANTS??
Seriously, too bad that happened. I worry more about fuel leaks causing a fire, than batteries.
wait for it............
FIRE ANTS??
Seriously, too bad that happened. I worry more about fuel leaks causing a fire, than batteries.
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we came to a conclusion today, that the slave cable was rubbing against the weapons support plate, with the little earthquicks we've been having here in So Cal area. It finally rubbed through, and shorted it self out. with the 4 hot 6TLs it create it a **** of a fire.
GHall
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Wow... No bueño..
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holy crappola, something all the owners out there should run and check
o1951
Active member
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Sorry for your loss, hate to see a good truck trashed.
As these vehicles age, things can deteriorate in concealed places, sometimes helped by furry critters.
If a vehicle is going to be parked for a while, for a number of reasons, suggest pulling a cable off one terminal of every battery.
As these vehicles age, things can deteriorate in concealed places, sometimes helped by furry critters.
If a vehicle is going to be parked for a while, for a number of reasons, suggest pulling a cable off one terminal of every battery.
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Batteries normally don't give off explosive gas (hydrogen) unless they are being charged. I'd vote of a short somewhere also. I've seen it happen many times on civilian big trucks.
With 24V, or 12v batteries in parallel, you have a lot of current in those batteries looking for ground. You give it a path and it will put a arc welder to shame.
Seeing stuff like this makes me want to put a battery disconnect at the batteries on my trucks.
With 24V, or 12v batteries in parallel, you have a lot of current in those batteries looking for ground. You give it a path and it will put a arc welder to shame.
Seeing stuff like this makes me want to put a battery disconnect at the batteries on my trucks.
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conclusion today, that the slave cable was rubbing against the weapons support plate,
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I was close. Regardless, any owners of M939 series trucks should also make sure that the electrical cables that run underneath the cab are NOT sitting on their transmissions.
HellRaisingHarry
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Sorry to see this happen to you, cryin shame.
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That sucks big-time but its good you figured out what the probable cause was.
In the Netherlands - and many other places - Martens are a well-know cause of car damage by dedicated chewing through power cables. I once joined some colleagues radio-tracking several martens and we observed one going under a car and enjoing himself. Reports of cars with destroyed wire harnasses and battery cables are ample there, but no reports of cars catching fire due to such events.
In northern BC, while observing mountain sheep, we had a male porcupine chewing through our gas tube to the stove. No idea why they do it, although rubber from car wires can taste sweetish.
In the Netherlands - and many other places - Martens are a well-know cause of car damage by dedicated chewing through power cables. I once joined some colleagues radio-tracking several martens and we observed one going under a car and enjoing himself. Reports of cars with destroyed wire harnasses and battery cables are ample there, but no reports of cars catching fire due to such events.
In northern BC, while observing mountain sheep, we had a male porcupine chewing through our gas tube to the stove. No idea why they do it, although rubber from car wires can taste sweetish.