Grouding Strips
Christmahanikwanzikah
31-01-2009, 02:39
I was just having a talk with my father about how the principle of the Faraday cage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage) prevents those inside a car from being killed if it is struck by lightning. In response, he told me something interesting - in the (American) Midwest, people would attach copper or similar strips to the bumpers or exhaust systems of their cars, which would make contact with the ground, in fear of being killed when struck by lightning.
I know some of you live in the region, so I'm curious as to whether or not you know people that have done this. Or anyone else, really.
Intangelon
31-01-2009, 02:44
I was just having a talk with my father about how the principle of the Faraday cage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage) prevents those inside a car from being killed if it is struck by lightning. In response, he told me something interesting - in the (American) Midwest, people would attach copper or similar strips to the bumpers or exhaust systems of their cars, which would make contact with the ground, in fear of being killed when struck by lightning.
I know some of you live in the region, so I'm curious as to whether or not you know people that have done this. Or anyone else, really.
Lived in Michigan for five years and North Dakota for three. Never saw anything remotely resembling what you describe. Engine heaters? Sure.
One-O-One
31-01-2009, 02:46
Lived in Michigan for five years and North Dakota for three. Never saw anything remotely resembling what you describe. Engine heaters? Sure.
Lulz, it's so cold where you are you can't heat the car with small explosions in the engine.
Ashmoria
31-01-2009, 02:46
ive never known anyone who did it but i may have heard of it as something that someone once did.
Lived in Missouri for all my life, and I've never seen anything like that...
Skallvia
31-01-2009, 02:48
with the spelling, I thought he was talking about Grout, lol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grout
FreeSatania
31-01-2009, 02:50
There are chains on some old trucks which touch close to the ground... but they are for releasing static discharge caused by heavy breaking. I haven't seen this set up in maybe 10 years though.
Intangelon
31-01-2009, 02:51
Lulz, it's so cold where you are you can't heat the car with small explosions in the engine.
:rolleyes:
The "small explosions" don't fare so well starting from an engine block at -20F or colder. The engine block heater isn't to sustain combustion, it's to help make sure it can start. Once the engine's running, you're correct in that it will keep running, and provide cabin heat against all but the most ridiculous cold.
One-O-One
31-01-2009, 02:56
:rolleyes:
The "small explosions" don't fare so well starting from an engine block at -20F or colder. The engine block heater isn't to sustain combustion, it's to help make sure it can start. Once the engine's running, you're correct in that it will keep running, and provide cabin heat against all but the most ridiculous cold.
I was teasing,;)
Skallvia
31-01-2009, 02:56
I was teasing,;)
It seems you succeeded, lol...
Intangelon
31-01-2009, 03:00
I was teasing,;)
Then the place for your smiley is in the teasing post. I don't know you.
Christmahanikwanzikah
31-01-2009, 03:03
with the spelling, I thought he was talking about Grout, lol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grout
No, but I still get annoyed when people refer to it as cement. :p
I was just having a talk with my father about how the principle of the Faraday cage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage) prevents those inside a car from being killed if it is struck by lightning. In response, he told me something interesting - in the (American) Midwest, people would attach copper or similar strips to the bumpers or exhaust systems of their cars, which would make contact with the ground, in fear of being killed when struck by lightning.
I know some of you live in the region, so I'm curious as to whether or not you know people that have done this. Or anyone else, really.
When I lived in Colorado, I saw a couple of New Yorkers (Summer people) taken in by that line of bullshit. Your dad's either screwing with your head, or he's had his head screwed with by someone FROM the Midwest.
Christmahanikwanzikah
31-01-2009, 03:16
When I lived in Colorado, I saw a couple of New Yorkers (Summer people) taken in by that line of bullshit. Your dad's either screwing with your head, or he's had his head screwed with by someone FROM the Midwest.
No. He never used them, he just saw that people used them, so he was interested if people still used them/whether they worked.
I know they don't work, I was just interested if people were still taken by this line of bullshit. :tongue:
Skallvia
31-01-2009, 03:50
No, but I still get annoyed when people refer to it as cement. :p
I probably would 3 years ago....Now however I have had much experience with the stuff, and probably would also get similarly annoyed, lol...
Querinos
31-01-2009, 04:25
Comming from Texas I have heard of automobiles with wire to ground . My eighth grade science teacher said it was done in the early auto years; when cars first started comming west and became used more for everyday task. My grandmother said something simular. I believe I even saw a wire hanging from a Modle-T in some museum. People were really afraid of geting hit by lightning back then, or the wrath of some god.