EMP Effects

[bad smurf]

How about using a metal trash can and lid???

[houseoftang]

How about using a metal trash can and lid???

Yup.  That, cookie tins, ammo cans, aluminum briefcases, anything that won't let a cell phone get reception if you put it inside ought to work.  Just make sure you don't let the contents touch the metal on the inside of the container.

[AntiSocialite]

Wow. Love these ideas. I was thinking I was going to have to create some sort of fancy latticework thingamajig.

One downside to all of this, however, is that you have to take your electronics out of the cage to use them. 

[Katie]

Wow. Love these ideas. I was thinking I was going to have to create some sort of fancy latticework thingamajig.

One downside to all of this, however, is that you have to take your electronics out of the cage to use them. 

Ok, but how would we get power to the electronic devices after an EMP attack?

[houseoftang]

Ok, but how would we get power to the electronic devices after an EMP attack?

I'm not sure how badly solar panels would be affected, but batteries wouldn't be bothered at all.  You could save some motors aside in EMP-proof cans (not sure they'd be terribly affected, even), and use them as generators.  Plus what would blow out is certain parts of the power grid, like transformers.  Other parts would be largely intact, if you could only replace the burnt-out parts (or repurpose the equipment so you don't need as long a transmission system).

[BigFatherA]

Solar panels themselves won't be affected (they can and do survive lightning strikes) but the charge controller and inverter might.  I have a delta lightning arrestor on my small system and a spare inverter.  When the system is not in use it's stored in the trailer - a heavyweight (1/8" thick steel box).

[Katie]

I do have one of those glass mat batteries that you can plug things into.  I don't have a generator since I live in a condo.  It can be used as a car jumpstarter or you can plug things into it and use the inverter.  You can also use the 12 volt plugin, just like you would with a car battery (this means you won't use as much of the battery, since using the inverter is less efficient).  But you have to have some 12 volt appliances.

So, what I'm hearing is that perhaps the battery would survive but the inverter would fry.  However, I keep it plugged into an outlet, so might that fry the battery?

[BigFatherA]

I do have one of those glass mat batteries that you can plug things into.  I don't have a generator since I live in a condo.  It can be used as a car jumpstarter or you can plug things into it and use the inverter.  You can also use the 12 volt plugin, just like you would with a car battery (this means you won't use as much of the battery, since using the inverter is less efficient).  But you have to have some 12 volt appliances.

So, what I'm hearing is that perhaps the battery would survive but the inverter would fry.  However, I keep it plugged into an outlet, so might that fry the battery?

More likely fry the charger.  Most of even the cheapy inverters are about 90% efficient.  If yours is a wall wart or laptop like charger you could get yourself a steel toolbox to keep it and the inverter in (or have a spare in there).  Always have spares 

[spacecase0]

just about anything plugged into the wall will fry,
just a battery on it's own will be fine, but once you start plugging the battery into anything, then you can not be sure.

I have my solar panel stored with no wires attached,
and my gas generator with no wires attached, and I am hoping that I don't loose them,

the trick to not having to take them out to use them
is to make sure that everything stored is an extra.

I have an extra solar charge controller stored EMP safe as well.

most of my electronics are for communications and water purification.