Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

[kenimpzoom]

In War of the Worlds an EM Pulse renders most cars useless due to the computers being fried.<br /><br />Will an EM Pulse take out the old style points ignition?<br /><br />Will EM pulses harm the condensor or coil?<br /><br />These are important questions. <br /><br />Ken

 

[rwise]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

I think they would/will survive, but the alternator will not, what about the battery? Mainly semi-conductors will be fried.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

Yeah...but would it render the cd player useless? We all have our priorities ya know!

 

[TexomaAv8r]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

How about even older...magnetos? No battery no alternator

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

I bet the alternator diodes would be fried, forgot about those.<br /><br />More info:<br /><br />://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_bomb

 

[QC]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

BTW, In this same stupid movie, there is a digital video camera still recording all of the other failed electronics . . .

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

From that article, it sounds like the condensor would be fried depending on how strong the EMP is.<br /><br />I would think the coil and starter motor would be ok as they are used to intense heat.<br /><br />Note to self: build faraday cage around dad's 38 LaSalle distributor and you will have a vehicle in case of EMP attack. <br /><br />Ken

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

QC, I forgot that could be explained away because it might have been stored in a metal box, desk drawer, etc....<br /><br />Faraday cage (a.k.a. RF Shield) protects electronics.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

Isn't the car's computer, and all associated wiring in a faraday cage?<br /><br />(PS - no way a point's condensor would die from an emp blast.)<br /><br />In Golden Eye, doesn't an EMP blast cause all sorts of explosions and stuff?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

hahahaah you would be amazed at what would survive the pulse.<br /> as long as the EMF had no path to ground no current will flow, however a good hit with the sps-48 radar can kill the HEI module in a 79 chevelle, however we had to open the hood first.<br /> most our gear was shielded and we had to test it periodically. its amazing how stupidly simple some of the shielding was.<br />thats the draw back to reliance on whizbangery, its not at all like hollywood, no magic homing bullets. if it can go wrong it most likly will. quite often it fails to either whiz or bang and sometimes, both.

 

[QC]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

Originally posted by KenImpZoom:<br /> it might have been stored in a metal box, desk drawer, etc....

It was left recording in the middle of the street and the real camera (the one making the movie) zooms in on the view finder which is still showing the scene unfolding . . .<br /><br />Yeah, in Goldeneye, stuff just starts blowing up, including the whole dern facility. However, I will tolerate no James Bond bashing, all of his stuff is real darn it, including the invisible 7 series Beemer . . .

 

[bandit86]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

being an Elcetrical Engineering Technician, I have a few opinions. The move War of the World was one of the dumbest movies I ever saw. <br />Back to subject, magnetism erases microchips, which is the basis of all computers and circuit boards. diodes and alternators should not die if on, definately not die if off. cars wont run because the computers die. Watches wont work, phones would be out. older cars with points are A-ok, transistorised ignitions again should work, definately ok if in the off state when hit.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

I thought an EM pulse would induce a current into anything that depends on magnetism for it to function. Semi-conductors & capacitors are the first thing that comes to mind. Transistors might take it, depending on the maximum working voltage.<br /><br />The induced current from the EM pulse would melt the internals as they are not designed for the voltage/current levels that would be induced. V=IR<br /><br />I remember the older cars from the 60s used to shield the ignition systems with a metal case to prevent the static on the radio. Like rodbolt says, it isnt difficult to shield the stuff.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

Gettin ready huh Ken???? Is there something you need too tell us?

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

Ken, if yer that worried, get a diesel. Of course it would need to be before the electronic controls for the engine and tranny.<br /><br />I would think finding a fuel station without electronic pumps would be the hard part. But then, a redneck credit card (hose) will always work.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

DADGUMMIT SS! I was thinking about this at work today. I also thought of the deisel. Tokk my chance away to feel smart.

 

[rwise]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

Transistors are Semi-conductors nad would be dead. deisel, there it is,,,,,,

 

[dogsdad]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

I think rodbolt is more correct in his opinion. High-current devices and circuits like 12-volt ignition systems should survive, but some high-tech stuff that uses miniscule amounts of current might get toasted. The computers in cars, as far as I have seen, are completely enclosed in what should act as a Faraday cage, but all that wiring in a car is going to act as a coil or antenna, and there would likely be some induced current flow. It's a question of how much current flow, and that would depend on the flux density of the magnetic pulse. "Open" and "closed" circuits would be irrelevant on account of the fact that we're not talking about straight DC.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

The cars computer might live, but the crank sensors and other engine sensors might be toast.<br /><br />Modern diesels use computers and sensors and they might be fried. Old school diesels would be fine.<br /><br />I wonder if the trigger on an outboard ignition system would be fried. I would think the stator would be ok, but trigger is usually low volts/amps.<br /><br />Dont forget, a nuclear blast creates a powerful EM pulse. Ya never know when some idiot will set off a nuke nowdays.<br /><br />The only thing I learned as a boy scout was Be Prepared. Hope I never have to use this knowledge.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Would a points type ignition survive a EM Pulse weapon

Why? They're ungrounded, and in a faraday cage too.<br />And besides, if they're toast so's the computer. The lead between the computer and sensor would presumably be your antenna. <br />Never mind that those sensors are often just heated wires (MAF), coils (magnetic position sensors), and such. Nothing compared to the nanometers of very sensitive insulation in a MO semiconductor.