Mounting your unit

[Rad]

No, this isn’t porn…

I’m looking for some digital images of how you may have your D-Tec unit mounted on your mast…. I’d really like photos of both the stowed and deployed position. We’ve broken / damaged our D-Tecs several times in transit… Surly there is a better way to mount the unit. Right now it’s at the peak of the mast, topping out at just under 13 feet in the stowed position.

If you could send the images to rad@wral.com, all would be appreciated.

Rad

[Marlboro Man]

Here is a picture I found on http://www.willburt.com/elecDTECMastMonitor.asp
http://www.willburt.com/images/lgDTecMastMonitor.jpg
I hope this helps.

[robbrad]

Well my suggestion would be to mount them to the out behind the building. The power companies won't put them on their trucks because they don't work. I believe there is a thread on here talking about how they don't work. So why bother with something that's a waste of time.

Step out you truck look up shine a flashlight around look for the obstructions then if it's clear raise your mast. This is the ONLY safety system that works 100% of the time. It never fails unless your blind.

[SamG]

First, the guy probably doesn't have a choice. Having the Dtec unit is a "management" or corporate decision.

That picture is about the best you can do. Make sure that little plastic reflector (the flat piece of plastic) is close to the dish. For a while, we kept mounting ours where the plastic was the tallest thing on the mast while stowed. We went through a reflector every two weeks. :(

However you mount it, you must make sure it's the tallest thing on the mast while you're raising it.

Good luck.

PS. Did you ever think the power companies won't put them on their trucks because they INTENTIONALLY work around power lines?

[ November 10, 2004, 07:48 AM: Message edited by: Exnewsie ]

[robbrad]

Originally posted by Exnewsie:
PS. Did you ever think the power companies won't put them on their trucks because they INTENTIONALLY work around power lines? Read Below by David Busse

Originally posted by David R. Busse:
I was present at a test of D-tec and sig-alarm systems several years ago.

We equipped a truck with each system, then raised the masts under engergized 20,000 volt power lines....all done under the supervision and control of Southern California Edison at an SCE training facility. The alarm systems were installed under the direction of the respective manufacturers.

What we found was a surprising inconsistency of both systems to stop the mast from rising; we incurred many false alarms and, in the case of the Sig-alarm, an operating system that was hopelessly complicated.

Even more surprising was the admission by both menufacturers that they had never done this kind of test under energized wires!

Further, after more investigation, we found that neither system has any sort of endorsement from an independent testing lab like Underwriters Laboratories (which only tests and certifies consumer equipment--not industrial). Without such certification, mandatory installation of these syetems cannot be legislated.

Finally, we had input from any number of sources, including public utilities and the unions representing workers in the power industry. These experts, represeting both labor and management were adamant in their opposition to any kind of alarm device on vehicle booms, masts or other appendages.

They said the alarms create a false sense of security.

Who could argue with that after seeing the performance I saw at this demonstration and after hearing stories like the ones posted here?

We took the advice from power industry experts and embarked on a rigorous, ongoing safety training program, including annual re-training and annual in-field operator "spot checks" and an annual safety seminar that covers a broad spectrum of safety issues in addition ot overhead power issues.

We don't use any kind of proximity alarm systems on 30 eng/sng vehicles and believe the better-trained work force is a better means of accident prevention.

[SamG]

Rob- I never said the detectors work! :) In fact, we finally got permission to take the one we had off the truck.

My point on the electrical workers... even assuming the detectors worked 100% of the time, WHY would electrical workers use them? The whole point of the detectors is to keep masts (booms, whatever) from going into power lines. HOWEVER, that's EXACTLY where electrical workers need to go. *WE* don't, and should stay far away from the lines.

[robbrad]

Not true. I once covered a story where a cable company with a boom arm put there boom into powerlines and the guy got killed. The power boys do NOT put there boom into lines.

Note from the above post

"Finally, we had input from any number of sources, including public utilities and the unions representing workers in the power industry. These experts, represeting both labor and management were adamant in their opposition to any kind of alarm device on vehicle booms, masts or other appendages."

FOllowed by

They said the alarms create a false sense of security

Trash them they don't work.

Look up live!

[Rad]

As mentioned above... To have or not to have is not at question here. That's not a choice. I'm just looking for other options in mounting the damn thing.