EMP proof car

[mcantar18c]

I've just finished One Second After and almost finished Lights Out, and this is the most pressing thing on my mind (an EMP attack). Yeah I'm probably just paranoid like those people that can't sleep after watching a horror film, but still.
I'm thinking about how to EMP-proof my truck, a 95 Powerstroke. My understanding is that something called a Faraday cage would protect electronic equipment, and all is is a case made of conductive mesh material (like expanded steel?) that would absorb and disperse the electromagnetic wave and protect whatever's inside it... correct me if I'm wrong here. I'm also under the impression that its stuff like circuit boards and such — computers, high-tech flashlights with different settings and whatnot, etc. — that are effected by EMPs, not things like conventional flashlights that are just simple wires... again, correct me if I'm wrong.
I have a large amount of expanded steel mesh in the garage... if I were to fabricate a box from the expanded steel to fit over my truck's computer, with insulation between it and the computer itself, would that effectively EMP-proof the vehicle?

[ChunkyMonkey]

I have a large amount of expanded steel mesh in the garage... if I were to fabricate a box from the expanded steel to fit over my truck's computer, with insulation between it and the computer itself, would that effectively EMP-proof the vehicle?

On your truck, it'd be easier to pull another CPU and fuse box from a junk yard, and insulate them in a grounded ammo box. Pre OBD II typically does not have enough sensors other than the CPU and fuse box that'd be fried in an EMP attack.

[Gunner]

Dirt bike?

[spyder]

I don't think there is any worry of an emp attack. I would be more worried of a country being smart enough to do something that would affect our economy and sending us into the hole. If everything fell apart, we would very open to attack as chaos swept across the country. Of course, still, the general force of the Unites States (citizens with guns) would prevent a country from trying to enter anyway.

[DFBrews]

On your truck, it'd be easier to pull another CPU and fuse box from a junk yard, and insulate them in a grounded ammo box. Pre OBD II typically does not have enough sensors other than the CPU and fuse box that'd be fried in an EMP attack.

^^^what he said keep a second cpu ready and practice swapping it out.

[spyder]

^^^what he said keep a second cpu ready and practice swapping it out.

There are a lot more parts to replace then that in any newer car that would be shorted out to get it to run. You would have better luck and spend a lot less money lining the inside body pannels of your truck then buying al of the other parts.

[DFBrews]

There are a lot more parts to replace then that in any newer car that would be shorted out to get it to run. You would have better luck and spend a lot less money lining the inside body pannels of your truck then buying al of the other parts.

OBD II came out in 1996 which is why I have never owned anything newer then that. if something does happen EMP related. I figure that I will have to swap out the ECM and maybe a starter and alternator they both have diodes that are easily destroyed. I am currently driving a 1991 jimmy (Well maybe not after tomorrow) and the only spare electrical parts I have yet to aquire is the digital dash because they are spendy.

I wonder if having a ground wire attached to the earth would help if the vehicle was parked when something went down would help??

/tinfoil hat adjustment complete

[Scanker19]

I think an EMP already hit Colorado, but it only affected the Turn Signal board in people's cars.

[jerrymrc]

I think an EMP already hit Colorado, but it only affected the Turn Signal board in people's cars.

Now that is funny. I do have to say that on post it only seemed to affect the cars with plates from LA, NY, TX and AK.

Some things on EMP IMO. Cars and light trucks were affected by OBDII in 96. One glaring omission are the 96-98.5 dodge 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. You may lose your dash and whatnot's but with a manual they will run without batteries with a fuel bypass on the stop/run solenoid.

On a GM many up through 80-82 were still all mechanical except for the module in the HEI. It is still not known how big an EMP would have to be to take these out since they are pretty robust compared to what many "experts" talk about an EMP strike taking out. I think that many IC's would fair just fine.

The more modern microcircuits and there related components will have an issue. The typical 60's-70's transistor radio may be just fine but once you start adding the components that are actually CPU's then all bets are off. What I am trying to say is that just because it has a black chip on the board does not mean that an EMP strike will take it out.

A diode is nothing more than a one way valve and as large as the ones in an alternator are It is unlikely to be killed in a strike. As we have progressed our electronics
Have got smaller. with the miniaturization came a decrease in current. The smaller you make it the less current a given circuit is able to handle. EMP is all about current (amps) to overload a given circuit and kill it.

The Russians used tubes to negate this problem in there aircraft. Many of the early semiconductors had the same current capability of tubes and circuits were of the tube "topology" in there design and application.

Many other things go into a vulnerability from EMP. In final thoughts. Is EMP real? yes. Do we know what will or will not be compromised in an EMP strike? no. will everything that plugs into the wall be destroyed? no. Will things that are computerized be the first to go? IMO, yes.

Just some thoughts.

[DFBrews]

Now that is funny. I do have to say that on post it only seemed to affect the cars with plates from LA, NY, TX and AK.

Some things on EMP IMO. Cars and light trucks were affected by OBDII in 96. One glaring omission are the 96-98.5 dodge 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. You may lose your dash and whatnot's but with a manual they will run without batteries with a fuel bypass on the stop/run solenoid.

On a GM many up through 80-82 were still all mechanical except for the module in the HEI. It is still not known how big an EMP would have to be to take these out since they are pretty robust compared to what many "experts" talk about an EMP strike taking out. I think that many IC's would fair just fine.

The more modern microcircuits and there related components will have an issue. The typical 60's-70's transistor radio may be just fine but once you start adding the components that are actually CPU's then all bets are off. What I am trying to say is that just because it has a black chip on the board does not mean that an EMP strike will take it out.

A diode is nothing more than a one way valve and as large as the ones in an alternator are It is unlikely to be killed in a strike. As we have progressed our electronics
Have got smaller. with the miniaturization came a decrease in current. The smaller you make it the less current a given circuit is able to handle. EMP is all about current (amps) to overload a given circuit and kill it.

The Russians used tubes to negate this problem in there aircraft. Many of the early semiconductors had the same current capability of tubes and circuits were of the tube "topology" in there design and application.

Many other things go into a vulnerability from EMP. In final thoughts. Is EMP real? yes. Do we know what will or will not be compromised in an EMP strike? no. will everything that plugs into the wall be destroyed? no. Will things that are computerized be the first to go? IMO, yes.

Just some thoughts.

Diodes are more fragile than I would have thought based on experience. happened this week actually. Had a 2004 Peterbilt that the fan would only work on high so that means that the resistor block is junk usually. He just had this replaced a week ago. on Paccar trucks up to 2008 the resistor block to control fan speed is simply coiled wires of varying diameter to reduce current thru heat thus it reduces speed. they halso have a beefy diode that is rated to 20 amps. turns out the blower fan was slightly out of balance and the brand new motor was drawing to much amperage from the block on the speed controlled setting and fried the diode. threw a new block and squirrel cage in it and am hoping for the best.