OBC Rules May allow exo's
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:07 am
I spoke to event organiser Paul V who put me on to Dennis from Silvercity 4x4. Dennis will be the head of technical, and has the final say on all matters related to safety. I asked him about my exo and he agreed that it would suffice without an internal. My exo has 50x3.6 hoops and full bracing to the chassis. He said the current rules were a grey area and will be cleared up, hopefully around January. He said that 3mm is a very good idea for exo's and is alot or the reason my cage will pass. The same rules as internals will apply such as no joins in the rear hoop, all joins double shear with crush tubes etc...
Also electrical isolation is currently not only vague but not followed. He said they will ensure that this is fixed. He aims for a set system for all competitors. Currently a mechanical switch is needed on the main non winch circuit. He feels a remote switch that deactivates solinoids close to the battery is the preferred mathod as high current cables can remain out of the cab. He suggested 2 in parallel rated at 200a each - american made col hershie would suffice for the winch circuit and one for the main. This will allow in cab disconnection of the winch should a solinoid weld shut and the winch fail to stop. His aim is for all truck to run a single isolation switch with a red cover (rocket launcher style) or marine isolation red booted style switch) toi be mounted in the centre of the dash such that driver and nav can reach it in a roll etc. It will also help where the driver/nav are unconcious and a marshal can find the isolator easily. apparently many have them mounted behind the seats etc, this will not be allowed for much longer
cheers bru
Also electrical isolation is currently not only vague but not followed. He said they will ensure that this is fixed. He aims for a set system for all competitors. Currently a mechanical switch is needed on the main non winch circuit. He feels a remote switch that deactivates solinoids close to the battery is the preferred mathod as high current cables can remain out of the cab. He suggested 2 in parallel rated at 200a each - american made col hershie would suffice for the winch circuit and one for the main. This will allow in cab disconnection of the winch should a solinoid weld shut and the winch fail to stop. His aim is for all truck to run a single isolation switch with a red cover (rocket launcher style) or marine isolation red booted style switch) toi be mounted in the centre of the dash such that driver and nav can reach it in a roll etc. It will also help where the driver/nav are unconcious and a marshal can find the isolator easily. apparently many have them mounted behind the seats etc, this will not be allowed for much longer
cheers bru