Back in the Deep Freeze

[wildkat]

So, here we are back in the Arctic freeze again... Back to the Ice Roads, icy roads & brutal temperatures. Yellowknife was -55C WITHOUT the wind. Have to be so carefule in that cold, things break. I think I've layed under more trailers in the last week with a tiger torch than I care to think about, not just frozen brakes, but frozen pots, frozen lines, etc, etc...

Here are my latest forays onto the ice & the roads leading up to it:


NWT Hwy #3

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/15.jpg


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/13.jpg


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/11.jpg


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/9.jpg


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/10.jpg


The frost & snow on the trees is incredible, & because the growing season is only 6 weeks the trees are very short:

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/8.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/7.jpg

Mackenzie River Ice Crossing:

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/6.jpg

Gorgeous winter day, but deadly cold...pretty deceptive -50C temps.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/2.jpg

This crossing is 3.5kms or roughly 2 miles across. Kind of nerve racking the first crossing of the winter!

Out on the Ice:


The ONLY 4 lane Road in the Whole Northwest Territories!

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/6.jpg


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/3.jpg


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/4.jpg

[RebelDarlin]

Wow Kat, those pics are amazing! How do you stay warm under a trailer up there?

[wildkat]

Good Arctic coveralls, boots & mitts...all good to -100C! :lol: :lol:

[COLT]

Holy Crap :shock:

What a week, frigin Cold, the wind here today about 30 miles hr, drifting everywhere...Arg...

I havn't put my winter coveralls on yet, but soon :wink:

[Rev.Vassago]

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/7.jpg



I'm gonna have to write you up for that cracked windshield. :wink:

[Graymist]

Hey Kat, things weren't exactly warm 'n toasty here in Edmonton....last Monday, it was -46C. It kicked off a cold spell that lasted for about 5 days, with temps averaging -30c. Things have warmed up a bit now ( relatively speaking ). Stay warm !!!

[wildkat]

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/7.jpg



I'm gonna have to write you up for that cracked windshield. :wink:

LMAO, I've been through THREE roadside inspections in the last 6 months.... I told every one of them...I'll get it fixed in the SPRING!

EVERYONE of them passed me! Too many big rocks up here on the roads! Should have seen some of the DOT trucks!!!

[wildkat]

Hey Kat, things weren't exactly warm 'n toasty here in Edmonton....last Monday, it was -46C. It kicked off a cold spell that lasted for about 5 days, with temps averaging -30c. Things have warmed up a bit now ( relatively speaking ). Stay warm !!!

I know, I live just east of Edmonton...but thankfully, for the most part, I was up north for the worst of it, I HATE being stuck at home when it gets this cold, can't DO anything at home! :D :D

[LadyNorthStar]

This time next week I'll be on my way back to the deep freeze. Yahooo.

[wildkat]

Holy Crap :shock:

What a week, frigin Cold, the wind here today about 30 miles hr, drifting everywhere...Arg...

I havn't put my winter coveralls on yet, but soon :wink:

Hear that, man! Hey, COLT, question for ya! There is a highway going north of Ft St John, I think, I've only been on it once, way back in my grain hauling days... Anyway, I recall going down in a river valley, taking the whole road with a Super B to get around the curves, nasty down & upgrade & same going back up again. Do you know the highway I'm talking about? Seems to me you can get back into Alberta from it as well.

[wildkat]

This time next week I'll be on my way back to the deep freeze. Yahooo.

You're heading back to Whitehorse? or somewhere else?

[COLT]

From town it's only about 5 min. it's called the Beaton hill.

That highway goes to Cleardale, I spent about 1.5 hr's on that hill about 2 months ago...

2 sets of chains shreaded into junk and I was at the top...

No, :idea: your talking about the Montney, Yep, all switchbacks, It's fun in the winter :wink:

I "barely" made it up south Taylor yesterday, empty and caught up to a slow driver... :evil:

I got 3, 10% hills to deal with minutes from town.... :?

[COLT]

I think my truck has been running for 11 days...

Comand start, is the best thing, I start my P/U when I pour my last coffee

-35 in Whitehorse this morning, should warm up for you next week L.N.

[LadyNorthStar]

Yep, Whitehorse WK.

Beaton Hill and the one after it.... were my first hills to tackle as a newbie with my superb.
Man what was I thinking back then?

Our house is about 17 km outside of town Colt, its always colder there. It was -49 the other morning.

[Roadhog]

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/Leland10/chatter.gif
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa..kk-kk-kk-kk-kk-kk

-49 C Lets just say I would be going outside only if I had to and with a pair of hot pads in my seat boots and gloves. I know all about cold however ran one week in the North of the US were it did not get above -30 for the week still can not stop laughing when I remember that guy out of BC when it was -50 he shuts his engine off to check his OIL and screams when it would not restart. It gelled up and the batteries died in 5 mins.

[COLT]

he shuts his engine off to check his OIL and screams when it would not restart. It gelled up and the batteries died in 5 mins.

:dung:

Maybe his alternator quit up the road before he shut it down....

But anyhow, L.N. going with direct ?

"our house" Hmmm :wink:

Colt we pulled in at the same time as he did I ran in and grabbed a gallon of oil and just dumped it in since I could tell by the OPG we were low bouncing a little bit he shut his off and it was not 5 mins later he tried to crank and NOTHING. Saw him in the resturant later that day he had 3 bad batteries and a plugged fuel Separator.

[Rev.Vassago]

he shuts his engine off to check his OIL and screams when it would not restart. It gelled up and the batteries died in 5 mins.

:dung:

Maybe his alternator quit up the road before he shut it down....

But anyhow, L.N. going with direct ?

"our house" Hmmm :wink:

I agree, that is a pile of BS. Fuel would not gel in 5 minutes on a hot truck, and the batteries failing were certainly not caused by the weather. :roll:

[4roses]

Ladies ... all I can say is ... http://bestsmileys.com/cold/8.gif I know you gotta love it in order to do it, but geeezzzz ... http://bestsmileys.com/cold/9.gif ..... when it gets 25 below here I can't hardly stand it .... I take a http://bestsmileys.com/bowing/2.gif to You ... I know someone has to do the job up there and it makes me feel good knowing 2 of the ladies that can handle it up there ...http://bestsmileys.com/clapping/3.gif .... just keep safe and know your top knotch drivers .... I'm proud of you both and everyone else that works in the area. ............... I have a personal friend who lives in the nothern part of Alaska ... he works in the oilfields - he says it get to 27 minue there - - - http://bestsmileys.com/cold/11.gif ... so ladies enjoy yourself I'll stay with my 50 degrees .. :wink: and be happy. Keep up the amazing work :!: :!:

Were YOU THERE THAT DAY REV. NO you were not I saw it happen and there were about 20 other drivers also saw it happen. This was the weekend Fargo got hit with that massive Blizzard in the 90's and put it to you this way trucks were buried up to the roofs in spots and it was taking ENDLOADERS to dig them out.

[Rev.Vassago]

Were YOU THERE THAT DAY REV. NO you were not I saw it happen and there were about 20 other drivers also saw it happen. This was the weekend Fargo got hit with that massive Blizzard in the 90's and put it to you this way trucks were buried up to the roofs in spots and it was taking ENDLOADERS to dig them out.

That doesn't change the laws of physics. :roll:

He was from Vancuvor BC and maybe his Battereys were weak already however still it did happen Rev.

[Rev.Vassago]

He was from Vancuvor BC and maybe his Battereys were weak already however still it did happen Rev.

I didn't claim it didn't happen. :roll:

I claimed the reason it happened was not caused by fuel gelling in 5 minutes, or by batteries failing within 5 minutes because of the cold.

Fuel Gell was more than likely secondary I am betting since it took the shop 45 mins to pull him into it. But at -40 F nothing is going to like to crank.

[Rev.Vassago]

Fuel Gell was more than likely secondary I am betting since it took the shop 45 mins to pull him into it. But at -40 F nothing is going to like to crank.

Now the story changes, and Colt's and my assessment stands. :roll:

It gelled up and the batteries died in 5 mins. :dung:

[Roadhog]

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/Leland10/chatter.gif
who fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-kk-kk-kkin ca-ca-ca-airzz-za-za-za-za-za-za-za-za-za-za-za-za


http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/Leland10/canadian_fridge.jpg

[wildkat]

Ladies ... all I can say is ... http://bestsmileys.com/cold/8.gif I know you gotta love it in order to do it, but geeezzzz ... http://bestsmileys.com/cold/9.gif ..... when it gets 25 below here I can't hardly stand it .... I take a http://bestsmileys.com/bowing/2.gif to You ... I know someone has to do the job up there and it makes me feel good knowing 2 of the ladies that can handle it up there ...http://bestsmileys.com/clapping/3.gif .... just keep safe and know your top knotch drivers .... I'm proud of you both and everyone else that works in the area. ............... I have a personal friend who lives in the nothern part of Alaska ... he works in the oilfields - he says it get to 27 minue there - - - http://bestsmileys.com/cold/11.gif ... so ladies enjoy yourself I'll stay with my 50 degrees .. :wink: and be happy. Keep up the amazing work :!: :!:

Thank you Rose, been a brutal month, VERY cold! BUT, the end is near! It was a balmy -45C in Yellowknife yesterday... & believe me that is WAY better than -55! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Worst of the whole mess is when it gets that cold at home here, we had some nights of -45, truck was pretty fussy about starting, but we are pretty sheltered here at home, so as long as I can keep out of the wind she'll usually go, but when I'm on the road once the temps fall below -30 I don't shut her off except to check the oil :) We are far to isolated to take any no-start chances!

[wildkat]

Yep, Whitehorse WK.

Beaton Hill and the one after it.... were my first hills to tackle as a newbie with my superb.
Man what was I thinking back then?

Our house is about 17 km outside of town Colt, its always colder there. It was -49 the other morning.

Are you going back to Fulton or TriCal or whatever they call themselves this week? :lol: :lol: :lol: Or are you just doing a transfer with Gold Star?

[Windwalker]

Good Arctic coveralls, boots & mitts...all good to -100C! :lol: :lol:

How does that song go??? Ooga ooga mooshka......

"And bathes in ICE COLD WATER every day........

[Windwalker]

Fuel Gell was more than likely secondary I am betting since it took the shop 45 mins to pull him into it. But at -40 F nothing is going to like to crank.

Now the story changes, and Colt's and my assessment stands. :roll:

It gelled up and the batteries died in 5 mins. :dung:

To be quite honest, it is possible that the fuel was already gelling up. My brother was going across NE a few years back. Temp was -30 F, and he was looking at the fuel gauge. 3/4 tank, and it wasn't going down. He was thinking that he was getting fantastic fuel mileage. Then the truck died. The fuel gauge was on the left tank, and the right tank was the one that was empty. The left tank, with the wind from the left was SOLID. And, that was on a truck that had been running and warm. Not sure exactly how cold -40 C is, but I'll bet that if you spit, it'll CRACKLE before it hits the ground.

My mistake... -40 F... At that temp, I KNOW IT WILL CRACKLE BEFORE IT HITS THE GROUND.

[MedicineMan]

he shuts his engine off to check his OIL and screams when it would not restart. It gelled up and the batteries died in 5 mins.

:dung:

Maybe his alternator quit up the road before he shut it down....

But anyhow, L.N. going with direct ?

"our house" Hmmm :wink:

I agree, that is a pile of BS. Fuel would not gel in 5 minutes on a hot truck, and the batteries failing were certainly not caused by the weather. :roll:

there is nothing "hot" about a truck when it's40 below. It is all it can do to kep itself warm enough to run.

Thank you medicine man. Rev forgetts I pulled wrenches on these in between driving them. Try getting a cranky 238 Detroit to start in the dead of winter and you have an air starter on it. FUN FUN FUN.

That trip I am talking about my father and I left Beach ND that morning after sitting for the night and it was -44 we had to shut it down cause the road was closed that sucked headed towards Fargo after sitting all night and it took 5 miles BEFORE we could get that tranny to shift into the high side max water temp we were getting was 130 going down the road.

[Rev.Vassago]

max water temp we were getting was 130 going down the road.

That means the engine was hotter than 130 degrees. Fuel does not gel at 130 degrees. :roll:

My brother was going across NE a few years back. Temp was -30 F, and he was looking at the fuel gauge. 3/4 tank, and it wasn't going down. He was thinking that he was getting fantastic fuel mileage. Then the truck died. The fuel gauge was on the left tank, and the right tank was the one that was empty. The left tank, with the wind from the left was SOLID.

Right side tank is usually the return side, so it's not all that surprising that the left side would gel up. It surprises me that if there was a single gauge, that it wasn't on the return side. One of the reasons why I like my dual fuel gauges.

[Windwalker]

Right side tank is usually the return side, so it's not all that surprising that the left side would gel up. It surprises me that if there was a single gauge, that it wasn't on the return side. One of the reasons why I like my dual fuel gauges.

What on earth are you talking about? "Return side"???

Since about 2000, most trucks I know have both DRAW and RETURN on BOTH TANKS. That's why, if you run out of fuel, these days, you must add fuel to BOTH tanks in order to get fuel to draw back through the system. If you only add fuel to one tank, you find that you are drawing AIR from the other one. Are you still driving a "relic" with a "CROSS-OVER LINE"? The ones that, if you straddle a gator in the middle of the road, you tear out your cross-over and the fuel from both tanks drains out onto the road? For that matter, one of the other drivers for WH, back in '96, had an International and was going east on I-80. His guage wasn't even bouncing anymore. He got down the ramp for the Flying J at Des Moine, IA, made the corner to the left, and just made it past the overpass. The service truck spent 4 hours trying to prime the engine before they found out it didn't have a cross-over and had to have fuel added to both tanks to get it to draw fuel.

As a matter of fact, a '96 Kenworth I drove had a "PROPORTIONING MODULE" in the return line that would divide the fuel evenly between BOTH tanks. If you were nearly out of fuel, and only added fuel to one tank, you could run out of fuel 20 miles down the road in the tank you didn't fuel. If you had a quarter tank or more when you fueled, you were reasonably safe to only fuel one side. And, trucks can be ordered with the guage in either side, or both, depending on the desires of who ever is doing the ordering. I don't know if you can even order a truck with a cross-over anymore.

Where did you get this "return side" from?

[Rev.Vassago]

Since about 2000, most trucks I know have both DRAW and RETURN on BOTH TANKS. That's why, if you run out of fuel, these days, you must add fuel to BOTH tanks in order to get fuel to draw back through the system.

My truck draws off the passenger side only. I can fill only my drivers side tank, and I can watch the fuel go from my driver's side tank to the passenger side tank. It takes about 10-15 minutes or so to even out, even with the truck off.

Are you still driving a "relic" with a "CROSS-OVER LINE"?

Apparently my 2004 379 Pete is a "relic". :roll:

[wildkat]

Since about 2000, most trucks I know have both DRAW and RETURN on BOTH TANKS. That's why, if you run out of fuel, these days, you must add fuel to BOTH tanks in order to get fuel to draw back through the system.

My truck draws off the passenger side only. I can fill only my drivers side tank, and I can watch the fuel go from my driver's side tank to the passenger side tank. It takes about 10-15 minutes or so to even out, even with the truck off.

Are you still driving a "relic" with a "CROSS-OVER LINE"?

Apparently my 2004 379 Pete is a "relic". :roll:

Not to worry Any Pete I have ever drove is exactly as yours...matter of fact my 2007 uses the same. The problem I have is that stupid little check valve keeps freezing up when it gets really cold then it only draws off one tan, then I have to get out shut off the tank that's nearly empty & run down the road for about 20 minutes till they equalize by the fuel return lines.

The idea being is that if you punch a hole in a tank you can close off that tank without running out of fuel. This so called "new" technology is that they forget that sometimes you need to do just that. Peterbilt, in my experience, tends to rely on proven technology & often, to their detriment, defers to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality". But, I personally like it just the way it is! :D :D

[Windwalker]

Since about 2000, most trucks I know have both DRAW and RETURN on BOTH TANKS. That's why, if you run out of fuel, these days, you must add fuel to BOTH tanks in order to get fuel to draw back through the system.

My truck draws off the passenger side only. I can fill only my drivers side tank, and I can watch the fuel go from my driver's side tank to the passenger side tank. It takes about 10-15 minutes or so to even out, even with the truck off.

Are you still driving a "relic" with a "CROSS-OVER LINE"?

Apparently my 2004 379 Pete is a "relic". :roll:

May I suggest you go talk to a "GOOD" mechanic? Or better still. take a 5-gallon can of fuel with you, run it out of fuel, then pour the fuel into one tank, either one but just one, and try to prime it. I dare you. If you look in the tank and add it to the one that seems to have just a little more at the bottom, you'll spend the next month trying to prime it, no matter which side that tank is on. Get down and look between the tanks. If you have a cross-over, you will have a hose running from one tank to the other at or about the level of the bottom of the tanks. If you don't have it, how does the fuel get from one tank to another? By osmosis????

The fact that the fuel levels itself out says you have a "T" instead of a proportioning module. But with an '04, you have draw and return in both tanks. If you ever run out of fuel, you will have to add fuel to BOTH tanks to get it to prime.

And, you're best defense against gelling in the tanks is a good "anti-gel" additive. And on a Cat engine, I've even seen a guy pull 3 pairs of wool socks over the filter and cover it with a plastic bag to keep ice crystals from forming against the filter material and plugging it. Also, the idea of adding a gallon of unleaded gas to each tank to keep the fuel flowing is a MYTH. IT DOESN'T WORK.

Engine heat in the return fuel is fine for most for most conditions, but when the temperature conditions go to EXTREME, the reaction of the fuel is also extreme. Two years ago, I gave a guy near Minot, ND a couple of bottle of MELT-DOWN. When we took off his fuel cap and looked into the tank with a flashlight, you could see the same efect as a candle burning the wax around the wick and the outer edges staying up. As he was driving, the fuel started to gel from the outer edges of the tank toward the center, until it stopped flowing. Even after the fuel in the tanks was liquid again, we still had to pour hot water over his filter to get him started again.

Peterbuilt used to have a "HOT-LINE" in the fuel line. An electric fuel heater just before the filter so that it was warm fuel that went through the element. If the engine started sputtering, you threw the switch and got power back almost immediately. Don't know if they have that yet or not.

[wildkat]

Not that I am aware of Windwalker, but mine does have heaters in the tanks, another Arctic necessity I'm afraid :D :D

I also use a very good fuel conditioner, made by Kleen Flo, Howes is just garbage IMHO, no good for up here, only good to -40...that's WARM in this neck of the woods!! :lol: :lol:

Seems to me that my Cat has a "primer pump" sort of thing right in front of the main (I have 2) fuel filter. It seems to me that everytime my fuel filters get changed it gets "primed" when you first start it up again.

Also, our winter fuel is, in reality, home heating oil...Diesel 50 we call it, will not gel until 50 below, your premium deisel is our summer fuel...Diesel 20, good to 20 below.

[wildkat]

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/Leland10/chatter.gif
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa..kk-kk-kk-kk-kk-kk

Ahh roadhog...come on where's you sense of adventure? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Rev.Vassago]

Not to worry Any Pete I have ever drove is exactly as yours...matter of fact my 2007 uses the same. The problem I have is that stupid little check valve keeps freezing up when it gets really cold then it only draws off one tan, then I have to get out shut off the tank that's nearly empty & run down the road for about 20 minutes till they equalize by the fuel return lines.

Are you referring to that little breather tube on the top? I had that freeze up on mine once too. Apparently, it is a big problem with Pete's, and the solution they came up with was to cut the tube at a 45 degree angle, which makes it more difficult to freeze.

[wildkat]

Not to worry Any Pete I have ever drove is exactly as yours...matter of fact my 2007 uses the same. The problem I have is that stupid little check valve keeps freezing up when it gets really cold then it only draws off one tan, then I have to get out shut off the tank that's nearly empty & run down the road for about 20 minutes till they equalize by the fuel return lines.

Are you referring to that little breather tube on the top? I had that freeze up on mine once too. Apparently, it is a big problem with Pete's, and the solution they came up with was to cut the tube at a 45 degree angle, which makes it more difficult to freeze.

No, this stupid thing is a mandatory check valve, the purpose of it is if you roll your truck the fuel doesn't all go to one tank & leak out. Goddam thing drives me insane in winter, cause at 40 below it freezes, it's on top of the tank, um there's a thing that kind of looks like an old style fuel filter for a car (?) (sorry I'm not so good a written descriptions of mechanical parts :D ....it's a blonde thing! :lol: :lol: )near the fuel return lines (all my lines are on the top of the tanks), I*think* it's on the draw line...don't quote me on that tho... :lol:

[Windwalker]

Not that I am aware of Windwalker, but mine does have heaters in the tanks, another Arctic necessity I'm afraid :D :D

I also use a very good fuel conditioner, made by Kleen Flo, Howes is just garbage IMHO, no good for up here, only good to -40...that's WARM in this neck of the woods!! :lol: :lol:

Seems to me that my Cat has a "primer pump" sort of thing right in front of the main (I have 2) fuel filter. It seems to me that everytime my fuel filters get changed it gets "primed" when you first start it up again.

Also, our winter fuel is, in reality, home heating oil...Diesel 50 we call it, will not gel until 50 below, your premium deisel is our summer fuel...Diesel 20, good to 20 below.

I've tried Howes a couple of times when I could not find anything else. I've had good luck using the red bottle of 9-1-1, but then I don't get into the -50 ranges...

I take that back... -55 once in Quebec City. But that was back with the mechanical injectors and we could use alcohol in the tanks. Half a gallon of anhydrous isopropyl in each tank was what kept me going then. Oh, yeah... That one had a cross-over from one tank to the other that was even with the bottom of the tanks.

[wildkat]

I've seen that 9-1-1 stuff in a couple of the truck stops up here, but I'm afraid I prefer to stay with what I know works & that's Kleen Flo, they also make a superior Arctic grease among other stuff that's a must for where I run...we have a couple of Flying J's now....WOW we have finally arrived!...Am gonna post some pics of the one & only truck stop in the Arctic when I head up tomorrow....LMAO it's really just a collection of ATCO trailers! But ya take what you can get up there...at least it's a pee stop anyway... :lol: :lol:

[Windwalker]

I'll have to look. I don't recall seeing Kleen-Flo down here. Of course, I don't get up into your temps either. Or should I say down..... :?:

Flying J is not a bad truck stop. Not the best, but they DO try to cater to the drivers. Hope you don't graduate DOWN to a PILOT. I have much more respect for equipment than to take it into one of them.

[wildkat]

I'll have to look. I don't recall seeing Kleen-Flo down here. Of course, I don't get up into your temps either. Or should I say down..... :?:

Flying J is not a bad truck stop. Not the best, but they DO try to cater to the drivers. Hope you don't graduate DOWN to a PILOT. I have much more respect for equipment than to take it into one of them.

I have no issues with Flying J...always had good luck with them when I ran stateside, just up here there really is no such thing as a trucksop...at least not by your standards anyway. But they have bought out all the Shell fuel stations in Alberta at least, so we are finally getting some REAL truckstops where there should have been some 50 years ago!

[Windwalker]

I have no issues with Flying J...always had good luck with them when I ran stateside, just up here there really is no such thing as a trucksop...at least not by your standards anyway. But they have bought out all the Shell fuel stations in Alberta at least, so we are finally getting some REAL truckstops where there should have been some 50 years ago!

WOW. All the Shell Stations? I'll have to see about getting a load up to Edmonton. It's been quite some time since I've been up there. Maybe it's about time to see what kind of changes have taken place.

You folks have a good night. Time for me to go to work.

[COLT]

I would agree with Windy about drawing and returning to both tanks.

I would also agree about those frigin vent lines icing off, :evil:

I cut one line short at a 45, maybe 65 degrees... But I'm too tired to figure out if it's not returning because of pressure, or not sucking because of vacuum... I got other things to think about :?

At least my Pete has the toggle for tank to tank readings, the 07 trucks do not...

I have 7 air actuated valves on my train for loading / unloading.... :evil:

Try and keep them working @ - 42 :shock:

I'm off for an "adventure" in the morning, got to split a Super B in the bush, and head into the Mountains west of Profit River, no bridges, over the rivers on ice, and when we get to the hills, tow cats are waiting... :shock:

[wildkat]

I would agree with Windy about drawing and returning to both tanks.

I would also agree about those frigin vent lines icing off, :evil:

I cut one line short at a 45, maybe 65 degrees... But I'm too tired to figure out if it's not returning because of pressure, or not sucking because of vacuum... I got other things to think about :?

At least my Pete has the toggle for tank to tank readings, the 07 trucks do not...

I have 7 air actuated valves on my train for loading / unloading.... :evil:

Try and keep them working @ - 42 :shock:

I'm off for an "adventure" in the morning, got to split a Super B in the bush, and head into the Mountains west of Profit River, no bridges, over the rivers on ice, and when we get to the hills, tow cats are waiting... :shock:

My 07 has a switch for monetering both tanks, but hubby's 04 has 2 gauges...I wish I had 2 gauges...am GONNA HAVE 2 gauges soon!

[MedicineMan]

you are both right in what you are saying actually.
There is a siphone feed to both tanks and if you fill one it will siphon over to the other.
Problem is it is a SIPHON. it works great as long there is fuel in both tanks. Once you run out you loose the siphon and then you put fuel in one tank and it doesn't crossover untill you get it started and it draws fuel up to the tp of the lines and restabish your siphon. tere is a line from each tank up to a block where they both go in and then the single feed line to the motor comes out. That is the point at which fuel must get sucked back up to in order to get the syphon back.
as long as you didn't run out and suck air then fuel will run from one tank UP to the 3 way fitting and back down to the other tank.

Class is dismissed

[MedicineMan]

oh by the way. I drive one of those "relics"

[Windwalker]

Maybe they did away with those "proportioning modules". The whole idea what that you would maintain an equal amount of fuel in each tank even if you were parked on a 20 degree slope to the side. The problem was, you seldom had the same amount of fuel in each tank, and it seemed like it would NEVER equalize. With just a "T" to each tank, if you park on a sideways slope, with less than a quarter tank, you could find that in the morning, you've sucked the upper tank dry and need to prime it. There are good and bad points to both ideas, and I won't even try to say which is better.

But, YES, it is possible to have one side gel up and the other side run out with your guage reading half or better.

[LadyNorthStar]

Are you going back to Fulton or TriCal or whatever they call themselves this week? :lol: :lol: :lol: Or are you just doing a transfer with Gold Star?

Fulton gave that contract up a while before I left Whitehorse.

Gold Star? No wood chips in the Yukon I'm afraid. I haven't worked for Gold Star for over 3 years.

[wildkat]

Are you going back to Fulton or TriCal or whatever they call themselves this week? :lol: :lol: :lol: Or are you just doing a transfer with Gold Star?

Fulton gave that contract up a while before I left Whitehorse.

Gold Star? No wood chips in the Yukon I'm afraid. I haven't worked for Gold Star for over 3 years.

Ohhh, my mistake LNS I thought I saw you pictures you posted from your new job was with them :oops: :oops:

Who will you be going to work for then? Please tell me it's not Northwest! :D :D

[LadyNorthStar]

Haha, no Northwest runs mostly teams, I'm not into that.

I posted a couple pics of some Arrow trucks out of Cache Creek.

To be honest, I haven't really decided yet what I'm doing yet. I know I'm just laying low for a bit here, getting my house organized and what not. I will run as a spare for the company I was last with here (Direct) when they need me, but not looking to make a commitment to them at this point.

I will get bored pretty fast and will have a plan soon enough I'd imagine. For now I'm just gonna enjoy it. :D

[wildkat]

Gotcha LNS. Well sure glad you're not running for them, since they got bought out by Manitoulin, they haven't a clue anymore. Used to be one of the best companies around to work for, not anymore. Can you imagine being dispatched out of some small island in Ontario? They can't even find most of the places Northwest goes! :lol: :lol: If it isn't in their computer system it doesn't exhist! :lol: :lol:

HAHAHA I just saw the yellow trucks and assumed.... well guess where that got me...shoulda looked closer!

Am off to Yellowknife again tonight, so you take care and maybe catch up with you next time!

[wildkat]

Well, I gotta say...this has been one of the toughest 2 weeks of my running north in a long time...

I left home on the 28th of Feb & I finally made it home late last night. The weather has been very cold, at least until yesterday...THEN low & behold it warmed up considerably.

I found myself in Yellowknife SEVEN freakin times in the last 2 weeks....
9000 miles later I finally made it back home!

Thankfully the "North of Sixty HOS Rules" are so much longer (15 hours/day driving, 3 hours on duty = total 105 hours/week!) or they'd have locked me up & thrown away the bloody key! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Here's a few more pics to share:

Out on the Ice:

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb2008014-1.jpg


The River beside the road:

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb2008024-1.jpg

I thought this was kind of interesting cause it really shows how rough the ice is before they make a road on it!

More on the Ice Road:

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb2008026-1.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb2008021-1.jpg

Icy Roads! NOT Ice Roads! :lol: :lol:

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb2008011-1.jpg

Last lonely outpost on the MacKenzie Highway... Arctic "Truck Stop"

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb2008009-1.jpg

[RebelDarlin]

WK those pics are awesome! Really makes me want to come up there...

[wildkat]

Thanks Reb!

Anytime you want to come Reb would be more than happy to take you along for a trip...just should be in the summer for the first go round tho.

Summers are absolutely stunning up there...just REALLY short...only 6 weeks!

[RebelDarlin]

Thanks Reb!

Anytime you want to come Reb would be more than happy to take you along for a trip...just should be in the summer for the first go round tho.

Summers are absolutely stunning up there...just REALLY short...only 6 weeks!

I don't think I'd mind the cold. The older I get the more the heat bothers me, I generate enough of my own (in flashes). But I do plan on making a trip up there in the next couple years. I really want to go back to Alaska again, maybe stay this time.

Side note: I did my driver training in the snow here, which had it's advantages. The first few times around the yard you could really see how the trailers off-tracked. I thought that was a GREAT help!


I have a friend who drives charter buses and I'm thinking about doing that this summer. He said it's like a party on wheels and he gets paid pretty good to do it! His room and meals are paid too. And the buses he drives are amazing! A million $'s a piece and thay have everything! He does mostly Senior groups and goes all over the country but mostly Branson, MO, Washington DC, and Yellowstone.


Somethin' different!

[wildkat]

I dunno Reb, I thought about the bus thing once too...but then I recalled that my FREIGHT doesn't talk back or complain or whine cause they gotta pee, or tell me they don't like what I'm listenin to on the radio....I decided to stay with trucks...MUCH quieter!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

And for one thing it's not so much the cold I was worried about... THAT is a piece of cake once you get used to it. What always troubles me about taking a passenger in the winter is the isolation...if you have a break down it could be HOURS before the next truck comes along to give you a hand or a lift anywhere. I usually make a "no rider" policy in winter... for my passengers safety more than anything. I won't even take Maui...see below...in winter....

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/Maui2-1.jpg

And she LOVES being in the truck...and I can tell you is mighty p.o'd when I leave...

[RebelDarlin]

I dunno Reb, I thought about the bus thing once too...but then I recalled that my FREIGHT doesn't talk back or complain or whine cause they gotta pee, or tell me they don't like what I'm listenin to on the radio....I decided to stay with trucks...MUCH quieter!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Here's my line of thinking...I want to drive tankers, eventually, so I thought if I could manage a 50' bus full of people without knocking them off their seats, it would be good practice. Plis I have 3 daughters an dhave gotten very good at tuning people out, if you know what I mean :wink:



And for one thing it's not so much the cold I was worried about... THAT is a piece of cake once you get used to it. What always troubles me about taking a passenger in the winter is the isolation...if you have a break down it could be HOURS before the next truck comes along to give you a hand or a lift anywhere. I usually make a "no rider" policy in winter... for my passengers safety more than anything. I won't even take Maui...see below...in winter....

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/katparadis/Feb%202008/Maui2-1.jpg

And she LOVES being in the truck...and I can tell you is mighty p.o'd when I leave...

I know what you mean. I broke down in Montana one time and it was 6 hours before somebody stopped. I was 40+ miles from the last town I went by and it was 60+ to the next. Saw one of the prettiest sunsets I've ever seen that day. :)

[wildkat]

I hear that, but when it's 55 below zero, it could get one dead pretty quick! :cry: :cry:

That's why I'm always reluctant to take anyone in winter. And there's not mucj to see except ALOT of snow & night. There's only 4 hours of daylight in winter...THO...the stars are something else...REALLY bright!

[LadyNorthStar]

Yes I SO missed the Northern sky while I was gone. Though soon it'll be 24 hour daylight, and I like that just as much, =P

[wildkat]

Yes I SO missed the Northern sky while I was gone. Though soon it'll be 24 hour daylight, and I like that just as much, =P

Isn't the night sky incredible in the North? Stars so bright & close you can almost reach out & touch them! The northern lights have been stunning the last few weeks... reds, blues, purples, yellows & greens...Arctic Rainbow!

I had a close encounter...don't laugh too loud... with the moon one night...honest! And no...i wasn't smokin anything either LOL

Came around a rock cut just before Yellowknife one night...oh man the night was incredible! And there it was freaking HUGE man...like I was going to drive right into it, seemed to hang right there just a few feet off the ground...bright orange...like it always is in the fall...harvest moon...just stunning!

[4roses]

wildkat ..... if possible PLEASE get some picture of the notherlights ... that's one area I've never seen in person and hope before I take that final trip to the other side .... I get to experience it in person ... I'd do just about anything to stand and just watch and soak it all in. ........ The same goes for you LadyNorth .... try to get me a picture or pictures of those awesome lights :wink:

[wildkat]

wildkat ..... if possible PLEASE get some picture of the notherlights ... that's one area I've never seen in person and hope before I take that final trip to the other side .... I get to experience it in person ... I'd do just about anything to stand and just watch and soak it all in. ........ The same goes for you LadyNorth .... try to get me a picture or pictures of those awesome lights :wink:

Rose; I have TRIED & TRIED & TRIED, but they never seem to turn out :cry: :cry: :cry:

I have a night setting on my camera & have used it, but my tripod doesn't like the cold a whole bunch & by the time the exposure is right the batteries are dead on the camera from the cold....BUT I KNOW that one day I will get it right!

They just literally "dance" across the sky, it's almost like watching waves on the ocean!

[LadyNorthStar]

Roses I am a bit of a photgraphy buff, my goal this winter was to get some northern lights shots. (I was taught how to get them) then I went down South all winter!
I will surely share when I succeed!

[4roses]

Oh goody goody :!: :!: :!: ......... I can't wait to see some pictures of those awesome lights. You 2 ladies are so lucky to be able to experience such wonders in this world. For some reason I just need to get my 'fix' ... heheheee .... http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/4roses/Hoildaysnags437.jpg

[Shawnee]

Roses I am a bit of a photgraphy buff, my goal this winter was to get some northern lights shots. (I was taught how to get them) then I went down South all winter!
I will surely share when I succeed!

Yes please share how, I have tried to get shots of the northern lights many times, but they never turn out.

[LadyNorthStar]

Well depends on your camera.
Can you adjust your ISO, F Stop, etc?

[wildkat]

LNS when are you returning to the North? I have just picked up some different runs, and may find myself in Whitehorse on occassion. Nelson for sure, maybe run into you up there sometime!