M35A3 Owners unite

[glcaines]

I have both my M35A2 and M35A3 listed as flat bed trucks with State Farm and also on the titles and registrations. The agent took photos to send in to State Farm's headquarters. They are commercial policies for non-commercial use. Inexpensive and no problems. I think listing an M35 as a pickup truck is a stretch. M37 - yes, M35 - no.

 

[Wolfen]

I have searched the Forums, but am unable to find the Answer to my Question. I would like to know if the CTIS Computer on a M35A3 is Hardened against EMP?

 

[R Racing]

I would guess yes , But I have no proof ?

 

[EXITNOONE]

WOLFEN- at first glance, it doesn't appear the CTIS control box itself is hardened. i haven't read the full schematics on the A3, or popped open the box, but the ctis control box seems to be wired into the power source by a single wire. if you look at the ctis control manifold under the A3 bed, it is a unit with exposed wires, which tells me, the manifold servos, and it's air regulation electronics are not hardened either.

the CTIS control box in the cab and the manifold electrical parts would require an insulated Faraday box and separate fuses from the alternator and ground to be sure they are emp hardened. the mass of the A3's metallic parts will conduct an emp, however, vehicles and their onboard components can sometimes weather emp's quite well due to their natural grounding through tires.

unless the A3's electrical systems have separate grounds and fuses which isolate them from the alternator and make them stand alone systems, in the event of a central overload, i don't see how anything on the truck is hardened....

 

[Wolfen]

Thank you EXITNOONE. I was just Curious since the M35A3 is a Militay Truck I thought the CTIS Computer might be Hardened.

 

[glcaines]

I understand that the CTIS control system is designed to default to the 'off' position upon total failure. Since the CTIS control system operation is not mandatory to operate the truck, it really doesn't make sense to harden it against EMP. The CAT 3116 engine has a mechanical fuel injection system specifically to make it immune to EMP, so essentially the overall truck is hardened against EMP.

 

[AceHigh]

It is not hardened against electrical spikes! Note resistor R5 on the far right of photo.

 

[EXITNOONE]

you're welcome WOLFEN.

instead of speculation, we need actual TM information....
but here is my further speculation for now.

looking at ACEHIGH'S photo, i don't see any shielding mesh around the circuit boards.
the only thing that might be hardened in the ctis unit is the microchips themselves if they are made from emp proof silicone carbide materials.

expanding on GLCAINE's thoughts... given that the overall mass of the A3's wiring is relatively small, that the steel conductive body and frame are grounded through the tires, and that a diesel engine can run just on compression alone, there is a better than good chance the A3 would still be able to run after an emp blast. you might have to hand crank the cat 3116 in the event the alternator and starter are fried, but it could still be started.

is the ctis box or the A3 specifically emp hardened though ?? i don't think so.

due to the reliable unreliability of the ctis sytem, i have spliced some t's into the air lines of the air tanks and now have quick disconnect ball valves at the front and rear of my A3. i'll be posting some photos of all that on my A3 project thread once i'm done with all my upgrades.... painting mine right now.

 

[Wolfen]

you're welcome WOLFEN.

instead of speculation, we need actual TM information....
but here is my further speculation for now.

looking at ACEHIGH'S photo, i don't see any shielding mesh around the circuit boards.
the only thing that might be hardened in the ctis unit is the microchips themselves if they are made from emp proof silicone carbide materials.

expanding on GLCAINE's thoughts... given that the overall mass of the A3's wiring is relatively small, that the steel conductive body and frame are grounded through the tires, and that a diesel engine can run just on compression alone, there is a better than good chance the A3 would still be able to run after an emp blast. you might have to hand crank the cat 3116 in the event the alternator and starter are fried, but it could still be started.

is the ctis box or the A3 specifically emp hardened though ?? i don't think so.

due to the reliable unreliability of the ctis sytem, i have spliced some t's into the air lines of the air tanks and now have quick disconnect ball valves at the front and rear of my A3. i'll be posting some photos of all that on my A3 project thread once i'm done with all my upgrades.... painting mine right now.

I agree with most of your Reply, but I don't think you could Hand Crank a M35A3. The Engine is to Large, and the Compression Ratio is to hi. I am looking forward to seeing what yto have done to your A3.

 

[mktopside]

I have searched the Forums, but am unable to find the Answer to my Question. I would like to know if the CTIS Computer on a M35A3 is Hardened against EMP?

LOLOLOLOLOL..... Sorry man, but if that's what you spend your time worrying about, you must have an awesomely perfect truck!

 

[Wolfen]

LOLOLOLOLOL..... Sorry man, but if that's what you spend your time worrying about, you must have an awesomely perfect truck!

Sorry to Burst your Bubble, but I wasn't Worried about it. I was just Curious.

 

[motomacguyver]

LOLOLOLOLOL..... Sorry man, but if that's what you spend your time worrying about, you must have an awesomely perfect truck!

Yup, no offense. But if TSHTF I would be more worried about the transmission shifting than the CTIS. (we can air up/down tires with the onboard, 2 cylnder, liquid cooled, turbocharged air compresser)

 

[glcaines]

I agree with most of your Reply, but I don't think you could Hand Crank a M35A3. The Engine is to Large, and the Compression Ratio is to hi. I am looking forward to seeing what yto have done to your A3.

The M35A3 can only be started with the starter functional. The M35A2 can be pull or push started if the starter is out of commission. In this regard the A2 is more tactical in my mind.

 

[lonegunman]

The M35A3 can only be started with the starter functional. The M35A2 can be pull or push started if the starter is out of commission. In this regard the A2 is more tactical in my mind.

All of the new FMTV have automatics, no doubt the army has really lost the edge.

I guess you are Tacti-cool in your A2?

 

[glcaines]

All of the new FMTV have automatics, no doubt the army has really lost the edge.

I guess you are Tacti-cool in your A2?

I think going to the automatic was a mistake. The automatics are very reliable, but I consider the vehicles vulnerable when starters, batteries, etc. fail. I have push started many a vehicle in the past with manual transmissions.

 

[FASTNOVA]

If you can get it to go fast enough you can push start an automatic.

 

[Warren Lovell]

The beast arrived just a few minutes ago! I live in San Diego and won the auction in Sparta, Wisconsin. I arranged transport through Hotshot Transportation (Eric), who found me a transport for $3000.00. The trip was a little over 2000 miles. It was picked up last Friday and took three days to get here. Just drove it for the first time. Amazed at how much more quiet this truck is compared to the Alpha 2. There is no "park" setting! Starts up immediately, but gotta run it to see why the air buzzer is not going off. I didnt run it but to park it. Truck looks nice and will be painted soon!

 

[lonegunman]

Awesome, congrats and where are the pictures?

The air buzzer does not go off unless the air bleeds down to a lower level. Mine stays up for weeks. Bleed the tanks of water and rusty scunge soon and see if the tank valves leak by.

They are under the middle of the truck. If you drain them the buzzer will buzz til the refill after starting.

How many miles and engine hours on your new hotrod?

 

[glcaines]

Congratulations on your new A3! I picked mine up at Sparta as well in January and drove it home to Georgia. I'm assuming that you mean that your low air pressure buzzer keeps buzzing won't shut off? Check and make sure the petcocks on the tanks are closed. If already closed, open for a while and let whatever is in there blow out. Make sure your valves for the gladhands are closed as well. Enjoy your new truck.

 

[mktopside]

I think going to the automatic was a mistake. The automatics are very reliable, but I consider the vehicles vulnerable when starters, batteries, etc. fail. I have push started many a vehicle in the past with manual transmissions.

Push starting is a plus, but an EMP isn't going to take out your starter circuit.