Getting shocked when stepping out
#12
Re: Getting shocked when stepping out
Originally Posted by kenny
BTW, no current needs to flow through the tires for you to get shocked.
I think people think about tires because they think there has to be a path to ground for current to flow.
Not true.
Your flashlight works just fine, doesn't it?
I think people think about tires because they think there has to be a path to ground for current to flow.
Not true.
Your flashlight works just fine, doesn't it?
We sometimes have problems with this in the robots we build. If there's enough metal and other conductive components to store electric charge, and we're using rubber tires, the chassis of the robot builds up a static charge, by moving around in its environment, that sometimes causes problems for the internal electronics. At times we've had to resort to dangling a ground wire to drag along the ground to dissipate this charge.
The flashlight analogy doesn't seem to make any sense. A flashlight works because there is a path to the "ground" inside the flashlight, which in that case is the negative terminal of the battery. That's a closed system that has nothing to do with earth ground.
Last edited by zimbop; 03-26-2006 at 09:46 AM.
#13
Re: Getting shocked when stepping out
Current flows between things that are at a difference of potential.
If you have a potential different from the car and touch it current will flow between you and the car.
Connection with earth ground is not necessary, in fact you could be wearing rubber-soled shoes.
Same with a battery.
No connnection with earth ground is necessary.
If you have a potential different from the car and touch it current will flow between you and the car.
Connection with earth ground is not necessary, in fact you could be wearing rubber-soled shoes.
Same with a battery.
No connnection with earth ground is necessary.
#14
Re: Getting shocked when stepping out
Just an anecdotal reference here. I had a 1993 Civic EX when it was new. The shock I got getting out of that car (and it was always that way - I attributed it to seat fabric) was worse than what I experience on the 06 Hybrid
Eric
Eric
#15
Re: Getting shocked when stepping out
If you do a lot of driving on the highway in the cold dry air of winter, the car will build up a certain amount of charge from the air passing over the metal body. Some toll booths have a static dissipation system so that before you hand the toll taker the money your car is discharged thus avoiding a nasty shock between you and the toll taker. You can also purchase static electricity dissipator straps for your car that dangle to the ground when you slow down or come to a stop, which dissipates the charge. But this doesn't eliminate the shock you get from sliding across the seat on a cool dry day.....
You should always discharge this static build-up before refueling as well. This is a common cause of car fires at gas stations in winter. Can't wait for hydrogen filling stations and untrained operators refueling your hydrogen powered vehicle. BaddaBoom.....
You should always discharge this static build-up before refueling as well. This is a common cause of car fires at gas stations in winter. Can't wait for hydrogen filling stations and untrained operators refueling your hydrogen powered vehicle. BaddaBoom.....
#17
Re: Getting shocked when stepping out
Originally Posted by kenny
Current flows between things that are at a difference of potential.
If you have a potential different from the car and touch it current will flow between you and the car.
Connection with earth ground is not necessary, in fact you could be wearing rubber-soled shoes.
If you have a potential different from the car and touch it current will flow between you and the car.
Connection with earth ground is not necessary, in fact you could be wearing rubber-soled shoes.
#19
Re: Getting shocked when stepping out
I believe part of the problem is the rubbing together of wool, silk and synthetic materials . I do not think this happens in leather upholstered cars. The answer is for a nationwide trial of those with cloth driving in the nude. As so few of us run into each other there should be no cause for embarassment.................
Besides the car has an excellent heating system. Let me know how you all get on? Sadly I have leather and will not be able to participate!
Besides the car has an excellent heating system. Let me know how you all get on? Sadly I have leather and will not be able to participate!
Last edited by Tulip; 03-27-2006 at 12:16 AM.
#20
Re: Getting shocked when stepping out
Originally Posted by ralph_dog
You can also purchase static electricity dissipator straps for your car that dangle to the ground when you slow down or come to a stop, which dissipates the charge.
Just for the record, I've been getting a lot more shocks when leaving our HCH's than from our previous cars. However, it's been very dry here all month, and I don't recall that many shocks last summer.