Lead Shielding of Electronics?

[TeryT]

OK, I know this sounds far-fetched and all, but I've been wondering about this: In the event of a nuclear detonation, what would it take to shield the electronics in a vehicle (such as the 4R)? Could it be done by wrapping the main computer in lead foil, or is there just too many electronics to deal with? :jump:

 

[Jay]

Are you gonna head for the hills if we get invaded like the high school kids in Red Dawn? lol.

 

[Koz]

Far-fetched :bonk:

Koz

 

[Iowa4Runner]

It would require shielding much more than just the main computer. You'd be better off parking it in a big iron box...

Wolverines!!!!!!!!!

 

[OUTRNNR]

Do you know something we don't know??

:runaway:

 

[TeryT]

Yeah, it is far-fetched. But seriously, could it be done? There is a lot of talk currently about the damage a device would do being exploded several miles above the surface. The electromagnetic pulse knocking out all electronics would do very considerable damage, when you think that everything we use these days either has a chip in it, or some electronics!

I wonder if military vehicles are shielded against this & how? You would think that high level government vehicles would have this in them.

So I've heard there are 4 computers in the 4Runner. The main engine one would be the most critical.

 

[Boston_Runner]

If you think you have crappy gas milage on your 4runner now, wait til you put on those lead shields. :bash:

 

[KMX3060]

Should you be successful in your preservation of your T4R, I have to ask you; Where do you want to go and why if you are the only electronic device in operation?

You could be like the old movie "The Last Man on Earth" only you would be the last car on earth. Drive carefully and slowly as the gas pumps won't work in your brave new world either.

CIAO

 

[TeryT]

Should you be successful in your preservation of your T4R, I have to ask you; Where do you want to go and why if you are the only electronic device in operation?

You could be like the old movie "The Last Man on Earth" only you would be the last car on earth. Drive carefully and slowly as the gas pumps won't work in your brave new world either.

CIAO

Yeah, I thought of that scenario too (fighting off the swarming hords with my 9mm). Maybe I could get far enough away that gas pumps would be working - or the power grid operational.

Then there's always what we used to call our "West Virginia credit card" (i.e. rubber hose)!

:cannon:

 

[KMX3060]

TeryT, I am interested in how the towing goes with your trailer?
What is the weight and what kind of hitch are you using?

I don't mean to go off topic so pm me.

CIAO
Brian

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Yeah, it is far-fetched. But seriously, could it be done? There is a lot of talk currently about the damage a device would do being exploded several miles above the surface. The electromagnetic pulse knocking out all electronics would do very considerable damage, when you think that everything we use these days either has a chip in it, or some electronics!

I wonder if military vehicles are shielded against this & how? You would think that high level government vehicles would have this in them.

So I've heard there are 4 computers in the 4Runner. The main engine one would be the most critical.

Sure it could be done but it would be an enormous task. You'd pretty much have to to shield the entire electrical system, not just the 4 (or 10) computers. I'm sure some military vehicles have EMP protection, which ones and to what degree I have no idea.

Google "EMP protection" or "EMP shielding" and you'll get an idea what you're looking at.

 

[TeryT]

Sure it could be done but it would be an enormous task. You'd pretty much have to to shield the entire electrical system, not just the 4 (or 10) computers. I'm sure some military vehicles have EMP protection, which ones and to what degree I have no idea.

Google "EMP protection" or "EMP shielding" and you'll get an idea what you're looking at.

I did, and there's a bunch of stuff. Very little about vehicles, but a few things. Basically, many military vehciles are "hardened," that is there is a tougher spec for shielding of their systems than commercial.

A couple places said that vehicles already have a sort of shielding, like a giant "Faraday box." This is why occupants are protected during lightening (if they don't touch metal in contact with the outside - such as metal door handles, etc.) But then most other sites said that modern cars would pretty much be toast!

One EMP website said to hang a chain off your frame, and this might do a good job of grounding the vehicle & thereby protecting electronics. I guess this used to be fairly common. (I wonder if it would get rid of that annoying static shock! LOL)

In any case, EMP is likely the biggest threat we face. Many of our enemies have the capability to explode a nuke a couple hundred miles above us. There are also "E-bombs" that anyone can make for a few hundred dollars. These wouldn't wipe out all electronics in North America, like a overhead nuke would, and would be much more localized. But talk about bang for the buck!:awais:

Many of our leaders think this is our weakest spot. Our civilazation, which is so dependant on electronics, would scretch to a sudden hault. There would be no electric, running water, and probably little transportation outside of a horse.

I'm going out today to buy some oil lamps.

Not sure about the 4Runner. There may be no where to go, and pretty hard to get there - with all the dead vehicles strewn about.

 

[Mafster]

Did you just see that movie War of the Worlds?

 

[TeryT]

Did you just see that movie War of the Worlds?

Actually, that movie did come to mind, as well as a made-for-TV one about a nuke on a run-away train near Denver. They both had the EMP thing with lots of dead vehicles. And, like Tom Cruise's character family experienced, you become a target yourself with have one of the only operational cars. It brings up a whole host of ethical things - like how much force would you use in an event like that!?

Anyway, I'll worry about that when & if it ever happens. For now, getting some oil lamps seem an easy no-brainer precaution.

 

[KMX3060]

One EMP website said to hang a chain off your frame, and this might do a good job of grounding the vehicle & thereby protecting electronics. I guess this used to be fairly common. (I wonder if it would get rid of that annoying static shock! LOL)

LOL In the 50's and 60's you could buy a piece of rubber strap about a foot long that would hang down from the frame to the ground to get rid of static. Those straps and "curb feelers" were hot items from J.C. Witney.


CIAO

 

[smokingun]

Yes, it is a far-fetched thing to concern yourself with. The distance from being vaporized anyway, to not being affected by EMP is only a few miles. I'd hang two bikes on the truck to use if it happens.

However, the thought track that got you here is not far-fetched. I live outside DC and it has at least crossed my mind that having a T4R to four wheel out of town on side roads and under powerline tracks might be a point in my favor in the event of any mass casualty event.

Much higher on the priority list, though, is a portable generator, adequate water and stored food, a trauma kit, portable radio and GPS and a family plan for what everyone will do and where you'll meet if you can't communicate during an event.

And keep your truck filled at 1/4 tank so you'll always have almost a hundred miles of range without gas.

We don't currently face a threat of a nuke like those deployable by a foreign country. A low yield (3 mile radius) suitcase bomb or dirty bomb is much more likely. Finally, don't automatically assume evacing is the best option. If you can stay home and protected, you'll have many more resources, provided you've prepared, than those caught on the highways.

 

[TeryT]

Here's a good Ausie site that discusses many EMP things. In my reading of Faraday Cages to sheild from EMP, I couldn't figure out why a car wouldn't be a natural Faraday box, thereby protecting the electronics. This site largely agrees. http://www.aussurvivalist.com/nuclear/empprotection.htm

Another "myth" that seems to have grown up with information on EMP is that nearly all cars and trucks would be "knocked out" by EMP. This seems logical, but is one of those cases where "real world" experiments contradict theoretical answers and I'm afraid this is the case with cars and EMP. According to sources working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, cars have proven to be resistant to EMP in actual tests using nuclear weapons as well as during more recent tests (with newer cars) with the US Military's EMP simulators.

One reason for the ability of a car to resist EMP lies in the fact that its metal body is "insulated" by its rubber tires from the ground. This creates a Faraday cage of sorts. (Drawing on the analogy of EMP being similar to lightning, it is interesting to note that cases of lightning striking and damaging cars is almost non-existent; this apparently carries over to EMP effects on vehicles as well.)

 

[2004Runner]

This article gives an interesting look at what one nuclear explosion at high altitude, and resulting EMP, can accomplish:

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/front2453711.9284722223.html

After reading it, I too considered what could be done to protect a vehicle. But, there's no mention of vehicles being affected in the real life examples given. Rather ...

"The primary avenues for catastrophic damage to the nation are through our electric power infrastructure and thence into our telecommunications, energy, and other infrastructures. These, in turn, can seriously impact other important aspects of our nation's life, including the financial system; means of getting food, water, and medical care to the citizenry; trade; and production of goods and services."

Lord knows what kind of anarchy and chaos would erupt. :smash: So, instead of shielding your 4Runner, you may want to stock up on water, food, fuel and medicine, and then find a safe place to hide out until order is restored. Hope we never have to find out.