Complexity vs mission-worthiness and reliability

[Mako]

I would think that is true, about the hardening.

Since we are quickly approaching the era of not being able to avoid electronic engines, if one is selecting a new one and is planning remote cruising, then it would make sense to find a manufacturer who will sell the necessary spares up front.

That likely may eliminate Deere and Cummins. Agco Sisu had no issues with selling a pre-programmed ECM and sensors and support kit.

 

[Jeff F]

Since we are quickly approaching the era of not being able to avoid electronic engines, if one is selecting a new one and is planning remote cruising, then it would make sense to find a manufacturer who will sell the necessary spares up front.

It might make more sense to embrace the technology, trust remote engine management, and have the correct part airdropped on demand.

No spares list is ever going to be fully comprehensive. I guess it boils down to what your 'remote cruising' looks like.

 

[Captain DJ]

Well I think those that have mentioned EMP and lightning risks have a point, although CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) is a most likely eventuality for us. We are way overdue and have the enhanced risk due to magnetic pole shift acceleration and modified electromagnetic defenses that our planet has enjoyed this far in our recent silicone based technological boom period.
I have two VW Touareg TDi's : One made for USA with DPF and DEF with their wide array of problems as well as a Mexican model with the same engine and transmission, but none of the EPA mandated equipment. Neither would work after a CME and/or EMP. No modern car, transformer, substation or boat with a modern electronic engine would work. I can say the Mexican VW is far more powerful, more reliable and gets superior economy.
Also I have the story of my Toyota Hilux Diesel 4x4 with its D4D turbo-charged 4 cylinder 2.8 liter work of art. It will outlast me. I had a top of the line Mercedes Diesel with all wheel drive and it was total garbage. Worst car ever. The Toyota Hilux has oil that still looks clean at 3,000 miles. The MB was dirty like tar in under three blocks. Both the same age, one just built better.
John Deere did go through a major class action lawsuit due to how difficult their modern machines were to work on compared with earlier mechanical models. None of these are "hardened", but farmers that had always maintained and repaired mechanical tractors and combines found themselves required to bring large pieces of farm equipment hundreds of miles to service centers and the farmers revolted with a class action suit. I will look up the public record settlement if anyone is interested.
I do go to remote cruising grounds and even though I am no certified diesel mechanic, I am happy with my naturally aspirated mechanical Ford Lehmans when far, far away from other people. So far they have been almost as reliable as my Hilux.

 

[dannc]

...
I have two VW Touareg TDi's : One made for USA with DPF and DEF with their wide array of problems as well as a Mexican model with the same engine and transmission, but none of the EPA mandated equipment. Neither would work after a CME and/or EMP. No modern car, transformer, substation or boat with a modern electronic engine would work. I can say the Mexican VW is far more powerful, more reliable and gets superior economy. ...

The issue with a lightning strike, either direct or a EMP hit, is going to be the risk to all modern equipment on the boat, not just the engine(s). Certainly, loosing the engine is going to be a very bad day, but steering, navigation, heating, cooling, cooking, etc, could all be taken out.

Having a spare ECM does buy a bit of redundancy but will it be enough? My truck engine is 23 years old and a design that is even older. It has a CPS chip that has to work. If the CPS does not work neither does the engine. How many other chips are in the engine that I don't know about? How many lightning vulnerable chips are buried in equipment all through a modern boat? Too many.

 

[Jeff F]

The issue with a lightning strike, either direct or a EMP hit, is going to be the risk to all modern equipment on the boat, not just the engine(s). Certainly, loosing the engine is going to be a very bad day, but steering, navigation, heating, cooling, cooking, etc, could all be taken out.

Right. I hang out at a yard in the midwest that regularly repairs sailboats that have suffered lightning strikes. My sense is that electronics, house wiring, rigging and grounding systems are generally more likely to fail than the engine. I know of one engine that needed new wiring, but that was part of a big repair from a direct strike.

 

[Mako]

JeffF, remind me to stay far away from you

 

[Captain DJ]

I don't think lighting nor EMP will damage my steering (hydraulic), nor navigation (compass & charts), nor heating and cooling (doors & windows). It will get the GPS, radar, depth sounder, and refrigerator. But I will keep on voyaging from point to point.

 

[Lepke]

Anyone that thinks electronically controlled diesels are reliable needs to borrow my diesel pickup for a few months. Or buy a new one.
At least on land a tow truck is close by.