O/T Static electricity question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
O/T Static electricity question
What causes it to build up more in some vehicles and not others? Are there things that are built in to prevent it? What can be done to prevent it? Im tired of jumping out of my mail truck and getting zapped when I touch a mailbox. Thanks, any suggestions would be appreciated.
:flag
:flag
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: MI
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
The material that the seats made out of!
To avoid shock, Try this.
Hold a brass key firmly and touch the mailbox with the key first to dischage the electrostatic (via the key), before you touch the mailbox with bare hand.
To avoid shock, Try this.
Hold a brass key firmly and touch the mailbox with the key first to dischage the electrostatic (via the key), before you touch the mailbox with bare hand.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 495
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From: ma
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
Had the same problem with an older car that I used to have.I bought a strap,made out of rubber that attached to the frme that dragged on the ground.This was in th 70's don't see any cars with them now,but it used to be common back then
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Ki m Le)
I have never been zapped in a vehicle with leather seats, just cloth ones. SO tell your postmaster you need a mail vehicle with leather seats. :lolg: :lolg:
That a good idea about the key thing. I would say wear some sort of thimble on one finger and touch the boxes with that finger first.
That a good idea about the key thing. I would say wear some sort of thimble on one finger and touch the boxes with that finger first.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia 1985 Coupe
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
You need to either:
Hold the door while stepping out of the truck (feet on the ground &hand on the door at the same time), or
Get one of thos anti static straps that hang off the chassis, so when the car stops the strap hangs on the ground.
On another note - at a car show, to stop dust attracting to the car put a metal coat hanger from the chassis/exhaust and connect to the ground. This is an old hot rodders trick and does work!
:cheers:
Hold the door while stepping out of the truck (feet on the ground &hand on the door at the same time), or
Get one of thos anti static straps that hang off the chassis, so when the car stops the strap hangs on the ground.
On another note - at a car show, to stop dust attracting to the car put a metal coat hanger from the chassis/exhaust and connect to the ground. This is an old hot rodders trick and does work!
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Chris O')
I think most static problems in vehicles comes from the belts rubbing and
slipping on the front of the engine. A Van-deGraf (spelling?) generator works
the same way. Of course touching the chassis will charge you up - until you
touch a 'ground'. Maybe try tightening of replacing the belts before resorting
to wearing a thimble all day.
:seeya
slipping on the front of the engine. A Van-deGraf (spelling?) generator works
the same way. Of course touching the chassis will charge you up - until you
touch a 'ground'. Maybe try tightening of replacing the belts before resorting
to wearing a thimble all day.
:seeya
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
Thanks for all the suggestions. One of the carriers at the office sprays static gaurd on his seat and he says this helps. The seats are covered with woven tweed like material. I notice that when I wear a shirt that has 50/50 polyester/cotton the static build up is worse. When I wear 100% cotton its not as bad. I thought about hangin a rubber strap from the frame. So how does that help anyway? Since rubber is a non-conductor, how does it solve the problem? I get zapped pretty good sometimes. Must look funny to the customers if they're watchin me from in they're houses. They must wonder why I have a cringe on my face as I reach for the box. Ill run the request of leather seat by the boss. Im sure they'll get a real kick outa that. :lol:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
I sometimes have the same problem with my pick up, cloth seats and my coat for work is nylon when I get out of the truck as said above I hold onto the door until I step on the ground (if I remember)
Steve :steering:
[Modified by stpman, 10:39 PM 5/15/2003]
Steve :steering:
[Modified by stpman, 10:39 PM 5/15/2003]
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: O/T Static electricity question (stpman)
You make static electricity by rubbing your cloth covered but across the plastic covered seat.
The truck it's self may also generate some by the wheels turning.
The rubber strap is rubber but it has a lot of conductive carbon in it, that allows the truck to be grounded when it stops. When it moves the strap blows back and doesn't wear out.
A chain would also work but would be noisey and wear out quickly.
I'd use anti static spray on the seats. Thats your best bet
The truck it's self may also generate some by the wheels turning.
The rubber strap is rubber but it has a lot of conductive carbon in it, that allows the truck to be grounded when it stops. When it moves the strap blows back and doesn't wear out.
A chain would also work but would be noisey and wear out quickly.
I'd use anti static spray on the seats. Thats your best bet
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Ki m Le)
Ki m Le, im gonna try the key trick. My collection box key should work. Its hangin on a brass chain. So ill sweep the chain across the box latch before touching it and see if it prevents shock.
More data on the matter today. Today it was raining all day. I didnt get shocked once. Can anyone explain that?
More data on the matter today. Today it was raining all day. I didnt get shocked once. Can anyone explain that?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
When I start getting zapped I touch my door with my elbow after getting out before closing it, you feel it less there, especialy with long sleeves, than in your finger tips. :eek:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
What kind of tires are on it? I know Michelin had a problem with some of their tires. I think they had to add something to the tires to help "ground" the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
Ki m Le, im gonna try the key trick. My collection box key should work. Its hangin on a brass chain. So ill sweep the chain across the box latch before touching it and see if it prevents shock.
More data on the matter today. Today it was raining all day. I didnt get shocked once. Can anyone explain that?
More data on the matter today. Today it was raining all day. I didnt get shocked once. Can anyone explain that?
The moisture all aorund disperses the electricity before it can build up.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: O/T Static electricity question (NHvette)
I think most static problems in vehicles comes from the belts rubbing and
slipping on the front of the engine. A Van-deGraf (spelling?) generator works
the same way. Of course touching the chassis will charge you up - until you
touch a 'ground'. Maybe try tightening of replacing the belts before resorting
to wearing a thimble all day.
:seeya
slipping on the front of the engine. A Van-deGraf (spelling?) generator works
the same way. Of course touching the chassis will charge you up - until you
touch a 'ground'. Maybe try tightening of replacing the belts before resorting
to wearing a thimble all day.
:seeya
I have the real answer.
Do you notice this happens with newer cars more than older ones? Or that you get a bigger spark from a new import model and nothing from your older car?
It's the tires. I found this on a couple different automotive sites in talking about grounding straps (rubber straps that hang from the frame (they do work)).
Newer tires have less and less carbon in the mix. It's carbon that gives them their black color. Cheaper tires use less carbon and newer tires use less to reduce rolling resistance. Reducing resistance increases wear and gas mileage. But it's the carbon in the tires that helps ground the car.
The static comes from the car passing through the air as you drive. Yep, just driving through the air is enough to cause the body and frame to build up a static charge.
Then you get out, put your feet on the ground and then touch the metal -- ZZZZAPPP!!
Grounding straps will take care of this and drastically cut down the amount of dust that accumulates on your car and will help keep it much cleaner.
http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Arch...97/May/18.html http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/static.asp
[Modified by BSeery, 2:03 AM 5/17/2003]
Team Owner
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
What causes it to build up more in some vehicles and not others? Are there things that are built in to prevent it? What can be done to prevent it? Im tired of jumping out of my mail truck and getting zapped when I touch a mailbox. Thanks, any suggestions would be appreciated.
:flag
:flag
This static can also produce a fire when re-filling your car if you don't discharge the car before you approch with a metal nozzle filled with gasoline fumes.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: O/T Static electricity question (BSeery)
That seems to fit the situation BSeery, the fact that you mention wind. On windy days the static is noticably worse. It has Goodyear Wrangler A/T tires. I know theres many variations of that tire but knowing the PO they buy the cheapest ones im sure. Im gonna make a ground strap and hang it on there myself. It also has an all aluminum body made by Grummen. I wonder if the aluminum plays a role in extra static build up. It runs a version of the GM Tech4 engine and Chevy S-10 chassis although the wheelbase is different as well as norrower track in front and wider in rear. Itsa shame how our office neglects these vehicles. I check my oil and add when nessisary, although its not in my job description. Others just let the things run out of oil before they call in from route claiming hellatious rattling noise. Then they dump in 4 qts. We've lost a couple engines over the years cause of the neglect.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 248
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City MO
Re: O/T Static electricity question (rdrman)
Had the same problem with an older car that I used to have.I bought a strap,made out of rubber that attached to the frme that dragged on the ground.This was in th 70's don't see any cars with them now,but it used to be common back then
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Jvette73)
Working in the micro-electronics field, I can give a little insight. First off, the brass key thing does work. We even have special instructions in some aircraft radar manuals describing how to discharge a 50,000 volt magnetron with a brass screwdriver. I believe that the density of the brass helps direct the electricity in a path instead of releasing it into an easier path such as air. ESD(electro-static discharge) is particularly a problem in small electonics because an electric charge can be built up by simply walking across a floor. Certain materials create charges based on their atomic make-up. The wife has dinner on the table, so I gotta go. Anyway, grounding yourself will help you overcome this. AND, certain materials in your car or what you walk on OR even the air outside can contribute to discharge of electro static electricity.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
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From: Severna Park Md
Re: O/T Static electricity question (Black Snowman)
Actually, I've never had a static shock at the filling stations. I only get it when I touch the latch on the mailboxes. Mainly the metal ones mounted on metal posts. Oh yeah, I also get it when I touch the door when walking into my first delivery which is a bank. Ive learned to take a letter and cover my fingers when grabbing the handle. Also, I got a portable radio I carry with me on the route. Sometimes when I get back into the truck and touch the shift colum, i hear a snap thru the radio but feel no shock. Im a walkin fire cracker out there. :lol: