Static Eliminator Strap

[Larry W]

In the 2 years that we have had our bus, we have been dragging a rubber strap that was mounted under the center of the bus every where we drove. It was about 1" wide and made contact with the ground. I always assumed it was to help eliminate any static from the coach.
Now it is gone, so I hope the brains of POG can give me some information
(correct that is) about this.
My questions are:
Is this a prevost installed part?
Is it needed?
How many of you are dragging a piece of rubber down the road?

Thanks for the help

[MangoMike]

There's a joke in her somewhere. Lew, Jdub, Dale ?


Mike

[Jim_Scoggins]

I don't know if they help--used to be the hot lick on everything but doesn't seem to be a big deal anymore.
I do know a fellow who grounds his bus and motorcycles in his toy barn to help keep the dust off them!

Maybe those straps help keep us from falling off the world.

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

That strap is a remnant of the past when most had pits to work on their bus. You see not all pits were a standard depth and some being deeper and some guys being shorter, well to make do some added a strap in an area of the bus where they needed a little pull up!
:rolleyes::eek::D

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Jim.....will you go buy a damn bus....NOW!

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Jon, Dale hasn't been around and Mango was expecting a FUNNY:D

[truk4u]

Larry,

As you can see, getting a straight answer from this bunch of loonies is hard.:p My Marathon didn't have one, my Country Coach does, I haven't had a static problem in either one.

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

It has something to do with where you use your bus and the brand tire you are running as to weather you need it.
Without getting into a Nitrogen type debate, some tire brands generate more static electricity than others!
Areas with low humidity are more prone to static build up than others!
Some electronic equipment is sensitive to static electricity.
If you don't want to take a chance add the strap back and you can feel you have done all that you can to prevent any problem.

Now that you know about your situation it would be prudent to add back the missing strap being that it's cost is insignificant compared to any damage you might incur in the future. If you didn't know the strap was missing you couldn't blame yourself for anything that happened because of it!;):)

[BrianE]

Jim,

PLEASE! Read Jon's reply.

[rfoster]

Tell me how a rubber strap conducts electricity? Make that answer in 10 words or less please so I can understand it.

[dale farley]

I thought the rubber had metal braid inside to conduct the electricity. Maybe it doesn't! Here is a link if anyone needs a strap.

http://members.cox.net/ylosk/private/Antistatic/anti_static_strap_earth_ground.htm

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Maybe it has wire strands in it. (Seven words)

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Tell me how a rubber strap conducts electricity? Make that answer in 10 words or less please so I can understand it.

:eek: Were talking static electricity in the range of 10s of thousands of volts and it travels on the surface of the strap and not in it.:eek: ( that's what I think, anybody else? I could be wrong! )

This might fit your ten word criteria:

The rubber straps have fine wire molded in.

[Larry W]

Ahhhh, Such a deep well of knowledge. I think though that if the strap holds a 20 ton plus bus to the earth I have other items I need to be concerned about. Because I do not have a pit guess the missing strap is not a big deal. As to the strap conducting electricity I suppose it is the same as the fiberglass static rods found on the trailing edge of jet aircraft flight controls.
Of course I am not sure about the tires and the air in them.
Oh well I suppose it's up to me if I want a strap or not.

[MangoMike]

FWIW,

I prefer my cocktail dresses - strapless.

Mike

[Jon Wehrenberg]

And you look good in your strapless cocktail dress, albeit a little hairy.

[jonnie]

Is Jim just pulling your chain, sorry strap?

[mike kerley]

These are PREVOSTS, how about a small gold chain?

[win42]

I always assumed it was a static grounding strap to at least keep the toll takers from lighting up their life's when you hand them metal change. Not to worry in CA the only take large green stuff. They also wear rubber gloves to keep from getting the creeping crud.

[Jerry Winchester]

I know that the original story was that Uncle Virsi Ledbetter was asked why he had a strap dragging from the back bumper of his pickup.

His reply was, "Standard Oil does it and they make millions".

Good enough for me.

[lewpopp]

All The Recollections I Have About Dragging Something Was A Chain Under All Of The Trucks Years Ago. Back In Harry's Era.

[garyde]

I Never thought much about it. The Coach rides on rubber tires, so it seems normal to have some kind of grounding contact . If you are driving an all metal frame bus with a lot of stainless steel it seems prudent.
I have read about static electricity and Fuel being a bad mix, so there is another good reason to have a strap.

[jello_jeep]

It is indeed a static discharge strap.

Just in case you have a new coach with one of those keyless entry systems, if there was a sudden and rapid equalization of unequal static electrical charges.. One could find yourself needing a "magic code" to get in!

Once such a charge has entered your coach, seemingly inanimate objects such as flashlights, could suddenly and without warning administer nasty shocks! These charges can remain at near fatal levels for days, weeks... MONTHS I hear!

Strange high pitched noises could be noted from other seemingly unrelated systems, such as your AC.

Large inflatable objects such as balloons, blow up women and or sheep could be attracted to metal objects, charged in the opposite polarity.. to the point of appearing to be attached to them!

This is nothing to fool with,,, nothing at all....

Jdub, Mango... -----> Insert "AMEN" here <-----

[MangoMike]

Amen Brother

[tdelorme]

Found just the right strap. I think I will order this one. It's on Mile's must have list of cool tools for the bus. Along with that (high dollar) surge protector, polotary tester every thing a guy could ever want in a plug in device that I wish I had gotton a week ago.


<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i174/tdelorme1/strap.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

[Jerry Winchester]

Jeep,

Artfully said and every word true. I think Country Coach missed the boat by not installing the requisite ground strap on its coaches.

I hear those undischarged flashlights are nasty when inadvertently discovered. CC should issue a safety bulletin on this problem.

But CO2 filled inflatable co-pilots are but a pleasant side effect.

[jonnie]

JDUB,

I thought your artfully inflated copilot went AWOL in Branson. Have you recently acquired a new friend?

[Just Plain Jeff]

Jon was thinking that he should have hooked up the static discharge dealie better when he was working on the Hindenberg crew.

Y'know....

[truk4u]

Ya know Jeep, just when I thought the skies had finally cleared, here comes another sortie! But I gotta hand it to you, it made me laugh, so here ya go,
"Amen".;)

1936

Kelly Jo - We feel sorry for ya honey!

[truk4u]

More on Jeep...

1940

1941

[Jerry Winchester]

Jeep,

Just let me know if we need to bring in the artillery.

Jonnie,

I think the CO2 Fire Suppression Unit is now being used as a load block in one of the bays of the Krakmobile.

But I did find this photo of Dale after this year's Oklahoma State / Children of the Corn football game.

1945

[rfoster]

Truk4u: Man that was harsh, way harsh. That is almost like nuking.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

I think he found another suprise.

[jello_jeep]

Jeep,

Just let me know if we need to bring in the artillery.

1945

Jerry, it would be like shooting a tortise with a 50, not needed.. Save your special ammo for something that might actually require it!


Truk, LOL... Nice post... At first I was thinking of how hard it must have been for you to dig up those photos... But then I realized that as a major contributor to the democratic national party... And as an atendee,, you just asked them to pose!

I bet hillary looks spiffy riding shotgun in the rosiemobile! I also heard she turned down your offer to use your bus to take her to all her various events,, as she requires TP aboard, and Monica was worried about the shocking flashlight .

LOL.... what fun!