EMP proofing

[onebigelf]

OK. So I'm working on converting to an older, simpler vehicle that gets better mileage than my truck. It has points type ignition with a distributor. No computer. It there a way to EMP proof the ignition? If not, is there a way to EMP proof spares that I can keep in the vehicle that will allow me to get my wheels back up and running.

John

[BobS]

It depends on the level of pulse. Carry a spare points and condenser set inside a sealed electronic shield bag (a bag that a memory stick comes in, for example), and place that inside a grounded ammo can. This should take care of 90% of the problem-but it isn't foolproof. Nothing is (it's a lot easier to up the frequency of the pulse than it is to protect against it). There are also other items you could carry as spares, depending on what make of the vehicle, what type of charging system, etc.....

Best regards,

Bob

[onebigelf]

What about a spare coil? Necessary or safe from EMP?

John

[wnn]

Coil should be ok, spare points,condenser,they should be ok but never hurts to have spaers handy , you may fry the alternator (diodes inside) & possibly short out the battery, but for the most part your vehicle will be able to get back upi running fairly easy, just geta good manual for specs...

[BobS]

What about a spare coil? Necessary or safe from EMP?

JohnAs wnn said, I would carry one, simply due to heat buildup in the older vehicles, not because of EMP pulses. Manytimes (1 out of 50), the coil will leak the insulating "tar" over time from underhood heat buildup. Fords were especially prone to this. EMP would definately generate a pulse across the coils and "fire" the coil as the field collapses, but this pulse would just be sent through the secondary high tension lines (fancy name for the plug wires) to ground at the spark plug. No biggie.

Best as always,

Bob

[soberups]

A good way to keep electronics safe from EMP would be to store them inside of an old microwave oven. You can buy used ones cheap at garage sales or even find non-working ones at the dump. The chassis of the oven is designed to prevent the escape of microwave radiation. If it keeps it in it will keep it out.

[cwillis]

i would just buy an old diesel.

no ignition. no computers. . . just a solenoid that can be jumped with a battery.

a manual you can push start. really if all this happens do you want to be the only one on the high way switching parts? then everyone will be looking and you will get it cranked and best case scenario is that everyone rushes you with cash . . .

or if you had an old diesel you just keep driving. or start pushing and go. no wasted time.

[BobS]

cwillis, you do realize that "push start" eliminates 70% of the diesels that have been sold below 16,000lb GVWR, don't you? (Meaning you can only "push start" a manual transmission equipped vehicle.) There are no automatic transmission equipped vehicles today that have a rear pump to enable a push start.

Best regards,

Bob

[yugoshooter]

Are HAL Distys affected by EMPs?

[BobS]

HAL??? Not sure what you mean? Sorry....

Best regards,

Bob

[Legio]

I bet that he is refering to HAL 9000. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_9000)

[yugoshooter]

I bet that he is refering to HAL 9000. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_9000) Sorry Dave but i cant do that! Its funny because my name is Dave. I'm referring to distributors like 80s Subaru and Chevy's had, Its basically a magnetic pic up in the disty.

[BobS]

Sorry Dave but i cant do that! Its funny because my name is Dave. I'm referring to distributors like 80s Subaru and Chevy's had, Its basically a magnetic pic up in the disty.

OH!!!! Ok, a HALL EFFECT distributor system....I understand now.

Sorry, but it will go......POP.....in a pulse. There is minimal protection built into any of the designs that use a Hall Effect trigger system- they are all electronics and very basic. Easier to just pack a module in a static bag, seal it, and carry it in the car inside an ammo can that is grounded to the body of the car, as opposed to try to build a shield around the sensor and electronics package. Replace the module and sensor as needed.

Best as always,

Bob

[madmyk]

Is there any way to test preventative measures? For instance: It is assumed (maybe proven) that keeping a spare [insert component] in a sheilded bag will protect it, or keeping spare parts in a lead box, or a Faraday cage...but can we really test our solutions?
Anyone got an EMP Rifle I can borrow for some testing? :D

The reason I ask is that I have an idea I would like to build and test on small scale before investing in large scale. I think I can protect the entire vehicle from EMP for less than buying a reliable pre-computer controlled vehicle.

[Legio]

This whole conversation conforts me in the fact that I know next to nothing in land vehicles.

[BobS]

Is there any way to test preventative measures? For instance: It is assumed (maybe proven) that keeping a spare [insert component] in a sheilded bag will protect it, or keeping spare parts in a lead box, or a Faraday cage...but can we really test our solutions?
Anyone got an EMP Rifle I can borrow for some testing? :D

The reason I ask is that I have an idea I would like to build and test on small scale before investing in large scale. I think I can protect the entire vehicle from EMP for less than buying a reliable pre-computer controlled vehicle.

Yes, there is. I have posted some links earlier on the boards that lead to various military manuals regarding EMP protection and testing. Be aware however, there is still multiple other levels that are classified above what is shown in commercially availabile literature. The commercially available information is what is generally used in the automotive industry today for pulse protection in the OBDII diagnostic systems used since 1996. The military vehicles are rated at a much higher pulse value.

Best regards,

Bob

ADDENDUM: I dug up a link to the original posts FYI:

http://www.whenshtf.com/showpost.php?p=35622&postcount=10