Adventures of Johnny Tundra, Cold-Weather Engineer

When Ron Wilkinson became a commissioning authority, most commissioning case studies focused on problems of moisture incursion in air-conditioned buildings in hot and humid climates. Ron wanted to call attention to cold-weather problems in Northern Tier states and do it in a way “that was fun and that described the American ‘can-do’ attitude in the context of actual engineering problems.” The result: a series of mystery/adventure stories starring the “troubleshooter from Big Timber,” Johnny Tundra.

Highlights

Illustration by Ashley Ribblett
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Adventures of Johnny Tundra, Cold-Weather Engineer: 'Plugging a Government Leak'

July 20, 2016
There is a leak at the highest reaches of the Montana state government—the kind not associated with a loose-lipped staffer, but, rather, a safety relief valve on a 40-year-old...
Illustration by Ashley Ribblett
Johnny Tundra Issue 07 Promo

Adventures of Johnny Tundra, Cold-Weather Engineer: 'High-Head Chiller Trip'

June 15, 2016
It is back to school for Johnny Tundra, who returns to Rosebud County Vo-Tech. A chiller keeps tripping offline on high head pressure. How can the chiller have any load on it ...
Illustration by Ashley Ribblett
Johnny Tundra Issue 06 Promo

Adventures of Johnny Tundra, Cold-Weather Engineer: 'No Delay'

May 10, 2016
Early one January morning in northeast Montana, where even moderate winter conditions result in wind chills of 50 below, Twitch Griswold, facilities manager for the U.S. Customs...
Illustration by Ashley Ribblett
Johnny Tundra Issue 05 Promo

Adventures of Johnny Tundra, Cold-Weather Engineer: 'Foundering Furnaces'

March 9, 2016
Amid sub-zero temperatures and 80-mph winds, two of four furnaces serving the State Lands headquarters continually are tripping off. Could the problem be ice crystals in the fuel...
Illustration by Ashley Ribblett
Johnny Tundra Issue 04 Promo

Adventures of Johnny Tundra, Cold-Weather Engineer: ‘Freeze-Protection Freeze-out'

Jan. 12, 2016
At Rosebud County Vocational Technical School, the freeze-protection thermostat on a new rooftop air-handling unit is tripping continually. To Facility Manager Jonas “Wooly” Wolcott...