Modifications

[Goldenboy]

Lets see what everone does to make their jobs easier.

I added a water bottle holder to a paint stick to hold extra paint.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/cablevine/paintstick.jpg
Also some PVC makes for good shovel holders on top of the cap.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/Picture.jpg

[Goldenboy]

Also forgot about the coupler extension. Great for reaching stuff. Just buy a paint roller extension and add a 1/4 inch bolt to the end.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/cablevine/extension.jpg
And yes I'm coupling electric again.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/HPIM4395.jpg

[TBONE]

I took a 1/4'' zip screw and went through the positive lead on my locator to pierce sheaths on fibers coming down poles...SHHHHHHH dont tell on me lol:eek:

[Goldenboy]

I built a storage area for behind the seats of my truck. It seemed like wasted space otherwise. If I take out the garbage can then I can still get to the jack.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/cablevine/storage.jpg

[underground quester]

I built a storage area for behind the seats of my truck. It seemed like wasted space otherwise. If I take out the garbage can then I can still get to the jack.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/cablevine/storage.jpg



Goldenboy:)

COOOL.

I have been trying to come up with some idea to do the same thing so I have room to store, rain gear, winter gear, batteries, etc. I also keep my metrotech in the rear, so could just put a lid on it using piano hinge.

If you don't mind may I snag your idea here and build one similar to yours.

Did your ranger not come with those little fold down seats, or, did you take them out? My ranger has the seats that fold up and take up a bit more room.

[Goldenboy]

No ours do not have the fold down seats. I think if mine had the fold down seats I'd be looking to see if there was a way to take them out but not screw them up so I could put them back in when I got a different truck. The only good thing with the fold down seats is that you probably have a third door.

By all means take the idea and run with it. That's what this topic is for. I know that locators are very witty when it comes to making things work for them. I made the different compartments fit all the stuff I keep in back.

[sprayandpray]

No ours do not have the fold down seats. I think if mine had the fold down seats I'd be looking to see if there was a way to take them out but not screw them up so I could put them back in when I got a different truck. The only good thing with the fold down seats is that you probably have a third door.

By all means take the idea and run with it. That's what this topic is for. I know that locators are very witty when it comes to making things work for them. I made the different compartments fit all the stuff I keep in back.


May I assume that you both have extendec cabs?

[underground quester]

May I assume that you both have extendec cabs?


Yes, I guess you would call it an extended cab with the suicide door. Kind of a neat feature that door. Can really access the back seat area better than my mazda that does not have the rear suicide door.

[TBONE]

When do you find time to do all that:cry: I like the xcab mod great idea:clapping:

[underground quester]

16

Here is a photo of the cheater clip I made from a 3" C-clamp.

Just put her on the grinder and let the grinder take off the metal swivel. Then kept turning the handle to get a fine point.

ThanX to T-Bone and Cheater for the idea!!!

[noOT4me]

Duct taping a piece a PVC to the paintstick should be the 1st mod made by any locator IMO. Actually, I dont think that I have ever encountered a locator without a flag holder. You would think that paint gun suppliers would realize this and begin building them with a tube already installed.

[noOT4me]

Perhaps I just came up with my billion dollar idea that will get me out of this business. :thumbsup2:

[UULC]

16

Here is a photo of the cheater clip I made from a 3" C-clamp.

Just put her on the grinder and let the grinder take off the metal swivel. Then kept turning the handle to get a fine point.

ThanX to T-Bone and Cheater for the idea!!!


I used mine on catv today. It worked awesomely. BH did not like it when they drove up. Waiting to hear what they are going to do to me.

:hammer:

:bang:
:stop:

[Goldenboy]

I don't know what brand of paint everyone here uses but alot of the newer paint nozzles are tapered at the end. We have had alot of trouble with the nozzles clogging and then having to throw away tons of full cans of paint. To solve this problem we take a toe nail clipper and snip off the real small tapered part of the nozzles and then they don't clog up on you.

Theres nothing more frustrating than being in a back yard way far away from your truck and the paint clogging.:bang:

[USIC1]

Also forgot about the coupler extension. Great for reaching stuff. Just buy a paint roller extension and add a 1/4 inch bolt to the end.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/cablevine/extension.jpg
And yes I'm coupling electric again.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/predrunner/HPIM4395.jpg

Im interested the paint stick extension to get those marks to that meter base...A string on the trigger I assume...

:confused:
:escape:

[Wingfoot]

Goldenboy - I see you have a bin full of 'Made in U.S.A.' Werker batteries. We use the industrial Energizers with great success. I tried a couple sleeves of the AA size Werkers in my digital camera and got some good mileage from them. What has been your experience with the Werkers?

[Goldenboy]

Goldenboy - I see you have a bin full of 'Made in U.S.A.' Werker batteries. We use the industrial Energizers with great success. I tried a couple sleeves of the AA size Werkers in my digital camera and got some good mileage from them. What has been your experience with the Werkers?


As far as the camera goes we have yet to find a battery that will last even a day. I know these cameras weren't made to take over 1000 pictures a day but even with turning the flash off the batteries won't last a full day. And in the winter they won't last for 5 or 6 hours.

As for as the locating equiptment they seem much better than any other battery we have used. I don't think there is a battery out there that can handle the all day use of the locators but the Werker batteries keep up the best as far as I've seen.

[big boots mcghee]

As far as the camera goes we have yet to find a battery that will last even a day. I know these cameras weren't made to take over 1000 pictures a day but even with turning the flash off the batteries won't last a full day. And in the winter they won't last for 5 or 6 hours.

As for as the locating equiptment they seem much better than any other battery we have used. I don't think there is a battery out there that can handle the all day use of the locators but the Werker batteries keep up the best as far as I've seen.

And from what I've found Werkers are wimpy. The industrial Energizers weren't much better, either, but for a short time we used Duracell ProCell batteries and those held their charge longer than the other two in everything: cameras, RD's, & transmitters.

I've never understood why they don't just equip our trucks with a AA battery charger and a few sets of rechargables. The cameras go through AA's so quickly seems silly to go through new batteries like we do.

[sprayandpray]

I've had a co. supplied AA bttery charger for over a year - but when the re-chargeable batteries finally died the co. started using toss-aways again. I know the re-chargeables have to be cheaper than the 6-8 batteries I toss in the trash each year. My sup sd they are moving back to re-chargeables soon

[underground quester]

Does anyone out there recycle their batteries. We have a bin at the office and are requested to recycle the dead batteries rather than having them go in to a landfill?

[sprayandpray]

Correction: That should have been 6-8 batteries per day.

[UULC]

Has anyone modified their trucks to have the cigarette lighter direct connected to the battery? I had it that way on my CLS truck and now have it in my MasTec truck. Has anyone been told not to have that type of connection?

:good:

[TBONE]

Has anyone modified their trucks to have the cigarette lighter direct connected to the battery? I had it that way on my CLS truck and now have it in my MasTec truck. Has anyone been told not to have that type of connection?

:good:


Our new Tacomas come with a plug direct from the outfitter before they are issued

[Goldenboy]

Has anyone modified their trucks to have the cigarette lighter direct connected to the battery? I had it that way on my CLS truck and now have it in my MasTec truck. Has anyone been told not to have that type of connection?

:good:

Wouldn't this make your battery drain down right away. We have so much plugged into the truck I'd think that the first long locate your at with your truck turned off would wear down the battery.

[wet_boots101]

I am told it would invalidate the warranty with the truck, but I would LOVE to be able to disable the daytime running lights doohickey so I can turn off the truck lights & keep the engine running during callouts at night. I looked on the web to see if there's a quick & easy way of this, apparently there is not. Does anyone know if that is correct or not?

As far as batteries go, I used to really get some mileage out of the rechargeables that I used a few years ago. I saved the charger, as a matter of fact. It is too bad they don't supply us with those anymore, in the long run (besides some people just not taking care with what they're given) I would bet it would save the company some dough.

I absolutely agree with Big Boots - I still have some of the last batch of Duracell Pro-cell AA's and I change batteries on my camera every 4-5 days. (Of course that could be due to me disabling the flash at every locate, it messes up the quality of my pix if I don't for whatever reason.)

[thejoker]

run a jumper wire across the plug for the parking brake. It will tell the running lights that the brake is on and shut them off. :)



I am told it would invalidate the warranty with the truck, but I would LOVE to be able to disable the daytime running lights doohickey so I can turn off the truck lights & keep the engine running during callouts at night. I looked on the web to see if there's a quick & easy way of this, apparently there is not. Does anyone know if that is correct or not?

As far as batteries go, I used to really get some mileage out of the rechargeables that I used a few years ago. I saved the charger, as a matter of fact. It is too bad they don't supply us with those anymore, in the long run (besides some people just not taking care with what they're given) I would bet it would save the company some dough.

I absolutely agree with Big Boots - I still have some of the last batch of Duracell Pro-cell AA's and I change batteries on my camera every 4-5 days. (Of course that could be due to me disabling the flash at every locate, it messes up the quality of my pix if I don't for whatever reason.)

[wet_boots101]

run a jumper wire across the plug for the parking brake. It will tell the running lights that the brake is on and shut them off. :)

??!!?!!?!! :bonk:

Holy Crap! DUUUHHHH!!! I just put the parking brake on and they went out! I never knew that before. THANKS, JOKER! Awesome! There is no need for me to goof with them if I can just get them to turn off when I need them to.

[thejoker]

no problem:D


??!!?!!?!! :bonk:

Holy Crap! DUUUHHHH!!! I just put the parking brake on and they went out! I never knew that before. THANKS, JOKER! Awesome! There is no need for me to goof with them if I can just get them to turn off when I need them to.