SharkSkin

Since I had 5KV on a 2 amp circuit, 2.45GHz AC go through my arm about 15 years ago, I haven't been too worried about my car's puny electrical system killing me(though it conceivably could, under just the right circumstances). Secondary ignition voltage can hurt though... be careful!

Bill Ball

Ah, grounding. Back in the 50's we had an electric washing machine out in our garage. If I went out there with no shoes on and tried to get the clothes out, I got a terribly rude 120 volt shock from the door handle. Grounding? What grounding? I just learned real quickly to wear shoes and still be very afraid of that old machine. But I was a kid who like to make arc lamps from the carbon anode in D-cells, using a plate of salt water with bare wire ends wrapped around small rocks as a variable resistor, plugged into the wall. And I knew that electricity run through salt waster generated a nasty gas, but I was having too much fun.

the flyin' scotsman

Ouch Dave........did that 5kv curl or loose your hair?

Whether its coming out a wall sockect or from a running engine electricity can and will kill you.......shut the engine down and perhaps pull the neg. batt lead.........safety first.

Bill......just goes to show even a dryer has the 'potential' to shock.

Bill Ball

Actually it was a washing machine - I edited my post and added a few more tidbits about my experiments with electricity. No one had driers back then, at least in our neighborhood. In fact, that washing machine succeeded an tub and roller/wringer type.

the flyin' scotsman

I remember them well Bill and my poor mother washing clothes for all seven of us (mum,dad and 5 kids) and then hanging outside to dry..........when it wasn't raining in Scotland. No electrical worries then just mangled fingers if they were caught in the rollers.

My first 'shocking' experience came from discharging an old tv a buddy and I were investigating.........thats what probably inspired my career in telecom far away from that hi-power stuff.

SharkSkin

No, but the spot where the arc left my body looked like a bomb crater the size of a dime. Took a couple years for the nerve damage to heal. AC is nasty, especially at those high frequencies.

Whitesands

Had a few belts in my time too, I found I got more pain from the things I bashed into or ran into trying to get away from the blasted thing.....

I give them a wide berth now, when I buy a used car I tend to replace the leads,cap/s and rotor/s and so eliminate any problems in that area.

blown 87

You are one lucky man, I will tell you that much.
It is a wonder it did not kill you.

SharkSkin

Guess I just wasn't ready to go yet. If I had been just a bit further from the reactor frame, the "path of least resistance" might have been through more than just my arm. That kind of arc can leave a carbonized tube where it passes through flesh. I remember that tube inside my arm crackling as I moved my arm after the jolt and it crumbled... not fun.

Panzer9

Well Stop touching it... - I did the same thing on an old Scirocco about 20 years ago- It really opened my eyes, and nearly put my lights out!

WallyP

"One hand in, other hand up and don't lean on the fender with your midsection."

Sometimes other, "more sensitive" body parts are what is touching the fender, perhaps even thru a brass zipper...

SharkSkin

Anyone resting their brass zipper on my fender deserves full coil voltage to the nads...

ceedee

you all noticed?
i am not going to even say anything to all that stuff... for a good reason