Electromagnetic pulse bomb

[Lars]

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/disc...bomb-video.htm

[Greta]

Thanks for posting this. I have heard a lot about EMPs. Seeing what would happen is even better, especially to the car.

[Greta]

By the way, does anyone know how old a vehicle would have to be before it would be EMP proof from such an attack? Perhaps someone with mechanical experience would know that answer.

Edit: I just read someone on another forum said vehicles with "points ignitions and carburetors" are the only one that would not be affected by an EMP, not sure though.

[US Blues]

Old VW Beetles '69 or earlier. Vans too

[Twoolf]

Originally Posted by US Blues

Old VW Beetles '69 or earlier. Vans too

I don't think you would have to go that far back. My guess would be mid '80's of just about any model. Most of the early computers really only monitored, not controlled. If this really gets to be a concern down the road, I'll just pick up a spare engine and transmission computer from the wrecking yard, and keep it in a faraday cage. The truck will run just fine without the body computer.

[Ought Six]

Tw:

"I don't think you would have to go that far back. My guess would be mid '80's of just about any model."

Chrysler went to electronic ignition as a standard feature in 1973. My '77 Dodge van had it. GM & Ford followed in 1975. The first to put electronic ignition into their cars as a standard feature was Fiat in 1968. A number of German cars started using Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection in 1967.

[US Blues]

Originally Posted by Twoolf

I don't think you would have to go that far back. My guess would be mid '80's of just about any model. Most of the early computers really only monitored, not controlled. If this really gets to be a concern down the road, I'll just pick up a spare engine and transmission computer from the wrecking yard, and keep it in a faraday cage. The truck will run just fine without the body computer.

the condenser inside the spark plug cap on the VW will fry in an EMP, but the timing can be advanced enough to run without it.

[PatS]

In April 2008, The Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from EMP Attack was published. On page 115, results of tests run on 37 models of cars built between 1986 and 2002 are discussed.

http://www.empcommission.org/docs/A2...ission-7MB.pdf

Cars were tested at various field strengths. At 30 kV/m, no lasting effects were noted on cars which were not running at the time they were exposed to EMP.

Of the 37 cars tested while they were running:
8 cars did not exhibit any anomalous response.
25 cars exhibited nuisance malfunctions such as blinking dashboard lights.
3 cars stalled and subsequently restarted.
1 car required repair to its electronics.

I'll leave it to folks more elctronically inclined than I am to determine if a field strength of 30 kV/m is similar to what we could expect in an EMP blast, but I thought the results of the test were interesting. Much different than the One Second After scenario...

[Greta]

The Risk of Electromagnetic Pulse Devastation is Greater Than Ever. Why Does Washington Dismiss It?

[Hamilton Felix]

That video was interesting. I've heard of explosive artillery shells that could generate a localized EMP. But that thing didn't blow up. I've seen video of a strip the police can put on the road like the old spike strip; when the targeted car passes over it, there's a small flash and the car dies.

I'm curious about small devices of that sort. I'm thinking something with a big capacitor that charged up and then fired into the right kind of coil could generate enough EMP that a backpack or pickup truck device could really raise hell with a public records building and its computers. Frankly, I wonder why we don't make more effort to shield our computers at work.

I think if I had a spare ignition module in a faraday cage (ammo can?), my 1986 F250 or the '77 F250 in my shop, could still be operable after a pretty good EMP. But I don't think I'd be playing the stereo... Newer cars have engine processors, lighting processors, transmission processors, climate control processors, etc. The engine management talks to the transmission management system, etc. They are too complex the repair after being "pulsed," seriously.

Not long ago, co-worker drove his brand new VW Passat across the country to Maine. While at his parents' house, lightning struck a tree next to the driveway where they parked. Although the parents' older GM car was repaired after replacing two or three processors, the insurance company and dealership huddled over the VW, then declared the (physically perfect) VW to be a Total Loss. They handed him a check and he bought another car.

I guess the ultimate would be an older diesel with mechanical injection. If you can park on a hill and coast start it, there's NO electricity needed for operation. The whole charging system can die, and it's still good in daytime.

BTW, I've often observed that the hydro powerhouses I operate have changed over the years. The oldest plants, here in the 1920's and 1930's, even the third plant here that dates from the 1950's, would be OK in a pretty good pulse, as originally built. As they are today, they'd be worthless and full of scrapped electronics. Every change we make to the plants and their controls makes them less reliable. Take it from this utility's most experienced Hydro Operator: If someone like N. Korea pops the right kind of nuke about 300 miles overhead, do NOT count on us to get your lights back on any time soon. (Maybe there's a reason I collect kerosene lamps.)

[Ought Six]

A Faraday cage over the module is not going to help you. What you would need is a module built with EMP-hardened ICs, as well as EMP protection on all the incoming wires to the module. Obviously, that is impractical. What you can do far more cheaply is to get an aftermarket conventional ignition system. The high-performance equipment makers like Mallory make them, and you can easily order them online. Save your old ignition gear to put back in the vehicle when it comes time to do a smog test. Unfortunately, you cannot switch back to conventional ignition as easily if you have electronic fuel injection.

[Twoolf]

Like I said above, just keep a spare in a cage. Just checked E-bay and mine (2004 Dakota) can be had for as little as $60. Cheap insurance. I didn't check for the body or transmission units, but they should also be affordable.

[blue gecko]

Check out Futurescience, LLC It has some terrific information on this topic.

One thing that I'd heard was that a microwave oven makes an effective faraday cage providing you remove the cord or at the very least cut it off as close to the body of the microwave as possible.

[Twoolf]

To be effective, a cage should be grounded.

[Hamilton Felix]

A Faraday cage over the module is not going to help you. What you would need is a module built with EMP-hardened ICs, as well as EMP protection on all the incoming wires to the module. Obviously, that is impractical. What you can do far more cheaply is to get an aftermarket conventional ignition system. The high-performance equipment makers like Mallory make them, and you can easily order them online. Save your old ignition gear to put back in the vehicle when it comes time to do a smog test. Unfortunately, you cannot switch back to conventional ignition as easily if you have electronic fuel injection.

I was actually thinking of a spare ignition module, not in service, just stored in an ammo can - which could also be grounded. Once the vehicle dies in the EMP, you plug in the spare module. Not sure how practical that is. Might make more sense to get my 1956 International running again...

I wonder what it would take to turn one's garage into an effective Faraday cage... It would be work, but with some metal mesh and a good ground, you could probably do it. Then, at the worst, the rig you had parked in your two-car garage while you were out driving would still be operable after you hoofed it home.