Little wire Eating Rats

[cgraham]

Various rodent species, especially pack rats are a big problem in the SW. They can do hundreds of dollars of damage to siring harnesses. In my experience almost NOTHING keeps them away from machines not in a rat-proof shed, with the possible exception of leaving the hood open: trouble is, occasional high winds can rip the hood off. Tractors usually have a cowling that cannot be exposed to daylight which mice like. The ONLY reliable solution I have found is barn cats; I don't like cats much, but they do solve this problem for me. They just need a little food and a place to shelter from weather, coyotes, red-tailed hawks and coyotes: because of these predators, we have a turn over of the small cat program, so let them breed - they break even.

C

 

[bcp]

The problem is that modern vehicles insulate their wires with rodent food.

From:
rodents-eat-soy-car-materials

Recent reports indicate that automakers are now using wire insulated with a soy-based product and even making seats out of similar materials. Unfortunately, it turns out that rodents like the materials even more than they like cheese.

 

[k0ua]

The problem is that modern vehicles insulate their wires with rodent food.

From:
rodents-eat-soy-car-materials

Recent reports indicate that automakers are now using wire insulated with a soy-based product and even making seats out of similar materials. Unfortunately, it turns out that rodents like the materials even more than they like cheese.

Yep, many threads on here about rodents eating our tractors. They need to put something in the mix that tastes bad to the rodents to solve the problem..obviously the old petroleum based plastics must have tasted bad.. so make the soy based plastics taste bad. Here is another little thing you can worry about in the future. It is called ROHS.. for Reduction Of Hazardous Substances.. a European law. But circuit board manufactures and solder manufactures have all used lead free solder now for a a few years so that their products can be sold in Europe. Well there seems to be a problem with the all Tin solders. Not the least is the fact that is is not worth a darn to solder with, and requires new techniques, but the biggest problem is that it grows "Tin whiskers" or little crystalline growths on the circuit board that can grow and short out the traces. The manufactures are not too worried about it because it is built in failure and obsolescence. The Jury is still out on how serious this is, but it is another example of an Unintended Consequence. Try to do good and it causes other problems.

James K0UA

 

[ritcheyvs]

The problem is that modern vehicles insulate their wires with rodent food.

Back in the early 90s (92, I think), Mercedes started using a bio-degradable insulation. Another EU thing, I hear. Anyway, they biodegraded all too well, especially in the engine compartment. This caused all kinds of bizarre intermittent electrical problems. Engine harness replacement almost scheduled maintenance now for those cars. My 1982 model is fine.