Anti Static straps? Thoughts...

[16PMark]

Hey all,
Recently, the Mrs was complaining about getting zapped by the Disco everytime she exited the vehicle. On one occasion, I actually heard the zap when she went to shut the door! I wasn't being affected as she usually jumps out before me. (Pretty sure it's not my driving) [emoji848] Even when I'm by myself, I don't usually get zapped.
Now, this morning, the Disco decided to give me a go, and i got an absolute bloody rippa of a zap. I almost dropped my phone as it was in the same hand as the zap, as I shut the door.
I've read a few things on the internet, (sigh) and thusly, I'm now seeking any advice from people here with personal experience with such things....
Do these hang down anti static straps work? Any other options that people have tried?
Thank you,
Mark.

[travelrover]

A great question!

We are getting zapped by our defenders too. They have different fabrics on the seats. I put it down to very low humidity in recent months, so would be very interested in any solution.

Cheers - Simon

[4bee]

Those things are tapelike from memory so may not always hit the road before you do unless it is weighted, so dunno.
Apart from madly leaping out of the car sans hands in contact the only thing I can think of that works is what Fuel Tankers did in days of yore & that is hang a chain underneath. If you can get a Genuine Parts Green chain it might look the business. [wink11]
I agree it is the dry weather we all seem to be having.

[16PMark]

Hi Simon,
Yes, we have RM Williams seat covers on the front seats, and nothing on back seats. Just factory LR cloth and fluff. Different fabrics front to rear. Brother in law once recently complained that he got zapped when he got out and shut (read, slammed) the door, so am confused about whether it's just the seat covers or just the disco...[emoji102]
[emoji848]
Yay it's not just us though. [emoji56]

[Stuck]

Copped this heaps of times back in my car yard days before I worked it out. Keep hanging on to the door or some other part of the car before your foot touches the ground that way the charge jumps from you (being part of the car) to the ground as opposed to jumping from the car to the nearest ground (you). And don't go getting all scientific on me, that's what I did and it worked.

[16PMark]

Those things are tapelike from memory so may not always hit the road before you do unless it is weighted, so dunno.
Apart from madly leaping out of the car sans hands in contact the only thing I can think of that works is what Fuel Tankers did in days of yore & that is hang a chain underneath. If you can get a Genuine Parts Green chain it might look the business. [wink11]
I agree it is the dry weather we all seem to be having.Hey,
That was my thinking. They look very light weight, if that makes sense.. Also, I'm not real keen on something hanging down from the chassis...

[4bee]

As Stuck says, hang on to the vehicle tightly until after your foot hits the ground but if you are wearing rubber soles you still might get electroplated.

You could always try ****ing out of the car door before exiting, that's bound to short 'something' to earth.:redface: :wallbash:


I recall reading something about a metallic paint sprayed in a few places on the inside of the tyres in a vertical band. Never heard if it worked but hey what could possibly go wrong? [biggrin]

[16PMark]

As Stuck says, hang on to the vehicle tightly until after your foot hits the ground but if you are wearing rubber soles you still might get electroplated.

You could always try ****ing out of the car door before exiting, that's bound to short 'something' to earth.:redface: :wallbash:[emoji1787] you first. [emoji1783]

[4bee]

Eeerrrr no thanks, I never take my own advice. [smilebigeye]

BTW, if you used a chain just think of all the Manhole covers you could collect going down to the shops? Then a quick trip to the Scrappy to pay for the groceries. Good eh?[happycry]

[V8Ian]

From my time in the fuel game, research indicated that women get zapped more often than men. The reasoning was :
1. Women wear more synthetic clothing, likely to create/store static electricity.
2. Women tend to exit a vehicle holding a purse or handbag and try to avoid touching the vehicle, to avoid getting dirty.
The recent low humidity conditions would isolate the vehicle from natural discharge, zapping people as they get out.
The best way to minimize the dreaded zap, is to hold a conductive part of the vehicle whilst exiting.

[4bee]

Women tend to exit a vehicle holding a purse or handbag and try to avoid touching the vehicle, to avoid getting dirty.

Not to mention just having had their nails done. [smilebigeye]

[Bigbjorn]

Anti-static strips? Chains?[bigwhistle] My God, how old are you lot? I am 78 and can barely remember them.[bigwhistle]

[4bee]

But but but, here was something comforting about the chain rattling on the tarmac as the tanker went past. It can't be that may years ago can it?[bigsad]

[16PMark]

Lol, but,
Can't think of a conductive thing to touch prior to exiting the Disco before getting out.
The "Chrome" door handle is insulated, the gear stick under the knob is insulated, apart from bending down and tapping the bolt that holds the seat in place prior to exit, i cannot think of a place that requires my delicate attention so that I may safely exit the disco..[emoji102]
Anyway, first world problem and all that...[emoji854]

[350RRC]

From my time in the fuel game, research indicated that women get zapped more often than men. The reasoning was :
1. Women wear more synthetic clothing, likely to create/store static electricity.
2. Women tend to exit a vehicle holding a purse or handbag and try to avoid touching the vehicle, to avoid getting dirty......................................

In the days of yore the third reason might have been 'because they deserve it'.

It's really good these days that no one even thinks like that any more. Weve moved on ! [bigrolf]

DL

[V8Ian]

Lol, but,
Can't think of a conductive thing to touch prior to exiting the Disco before getting out.
The "Chrome" door handle is insulated, the gear stick under the knob is insulated, apart from bending down and tapping the bolt that holds the seat in place prior to exit, i cannot think of a place that requires my delicate attention so that I may safely exit the disco..[emoji102]
Anyway, first world problem and all that...[emoji854]
Do you have side steps?

[V8Ian]

But but but, here was something comforting about the chain rattling on the tarmac as the tanker went past. It can't be that may years ago can it?[bigsad]
I don't recall them. Did the trucks have pneumatic tyres? [wink11]
Modern tankers have earthed discharge hoses.

[16PMark]

Do you have side steps?I have a pair of factory ones that I haven't fitted yet, yes....they're covered in rubber though (or something equivalent too).... [emoji848]
Should I get my left handed screw driver ready?? Or do I need the right handed shifter??
[emoji41][emoji39][emoji41][emoji1783]

[POD]

One of my earliest memories is of seeing chains hanging down under the rear of cars. They were taken over by rubber straps, which I have not seen since the 1960s.

[biggin]

The straps were very common in the Eastern Goldfields in the seventies and early eighties when I lived there. My 1976 Toyota Corona had one.
Again, in a very dry climate.

[4bee]

Lol, but,
Can't think of a conductive thing to touch prior to exiting the Disco before getting out.
The "Chrome" door handle is insulated, the gear stick under the knob is insulated, apart from bending down and tapping the bolt that holds the seat in place prior to exit, i cannot think of a place that requires my delicate attention so that I may safely exit the disco..[emoji102]
Anyway, first world problem and all that...[emoji854]We

Well then, I can only suggest you hunt around the Surplus Shops for an ejection seat Cockpit from an F-111 Then you & your other half can go skywards together. Re-arming it each time may be a hassle but if it works, it has to be worth that little bit of inconvenience wouldn't you say? [smilebigeye]


Do we have a tongue in cheek smiley?

[4bee]

I don't recall them. Did the trucks have pneumatic tyres? [wink11]
Modern tankers have earthed discharge hoses.


Yeah now they do, but 70 odd years ago those were still in the future. Are you suggesting OP ^^^ ties, a what 4"/5" Earthed Discharge Hose to his car?

BUT WAIT! If he trailed it behind, would it not serve the same purpose? [tonguewink]


BTW. I was referring to the 1950/60s for the chains but yes, I understand Static elec is discharged through tyres these days.

It was also supposed to stop Car Sickness, & the use of Alternators as opposed to Generators & the reversing of Polarity was also supposed to knock it on the head but I suspect there is more to those theories than meets the eye.

[rick130]

From my time in the fuel game, research indicated that women get zapped more often than men. The reasoning was :
1. Women wear more synthetic clothing, likely to create/store static electricity.
2. Women tend to exit a vehicle holding a purse or handbag and try to avoid touching the vehicle, to avoid getting dirty.
The recent low humidity conditions would isolate the vehicle from natural discharge, zapping people as they get out.
The best way to minimize the dreaded zap, is to hold a conductive part of the vehicle whilst exiting.

Hmmm.
I get zapped everytime i disembark the Disco, and I only wear natural fibres. Cotton, bamboo, wool.
Are you suggesting I should not hold onto my handbag, Ian? [emoji848][emoji39]

[V8Ian]

Hmmm.
I get zapped everytime i disembark the Disco, and I only wear natural fibres. Cotton, bamboo, wool.
Are you suggesting I should not hold onto my handbag, Ian? [emoji848][emoji39]
Try it ducky. [bigrolf]

[4bee]

Rick, it would depend on two things...


1. What is your frock made from?

2. Are your frock & handbag co-ordinated with each other? I mean, who would want to be seen dead without a matching bag or frock?


[biggrin]

[4bee]

This may help.



https://www.explainthatstuff.com/howantistaticcoatingswork.html (https://www.explainthatstuff.com/howantistaticcoatingswork.html)

[V8Ian]

Be careful Des, have you given any thought to what can be concealed in a handbag, coordinated or otherwise?

As an aside, I'd need a 130 to carry all the detritus I've seen some women load into a handbag.

Hmmmm......I'm seeing a theme here; Rick, 130, handbag. [bighmmm][wink11]

[4bee]

Being serious here now Ian. (when am I not? :rolleyes:)

I have offered to install a small LED lamp or a 6' fluro tube inside 'er indoors handbag.
Phone rings "Where TF is it! " as the bag is disgorged to locate it.


Much better if she could actually see what she was looking for, right? As well as less embarrassing for me. LEDs will be a permanent fixture for handbags in the years to come, mark my words.[biggrin]

[Tombie]

Never been zapped in my D4.
The handle earths via the cable.

A lot of modern vehicles also have earth points in the door handles to prevent this.

Just touch the frame of the door when sliding out if you’re having a problem.

The PD is the cause, you just need to reduce it - or step out more than slide out (seat fabrics will last longer also).

[4bee]

And maybe do it with back of the hand?

[16PMark]

We

Well then, I can only suggest you hunt around the Surplus Shops for an ejection seat Cockpit from an F-111 Then you & your other half can go skywards together. Rearming it each time may be a hassle but if it works, it has to be worth that little bit of inconvenience wouldn't you say? [smilebigeye]


Do we have a tongue in cheek smiley?LOL. I'll let you know how we go. [emoji39]

[16PMark]

Never been zapped in my D4.
The handle earths via the cable.

A lot of modern vehicles also have earth points in the door handles to prevent this.

Just touch the frame of the door when sliding out if you’re having a problem.

The PD is the cause, you just need to reduce it - or step out more than slide out (seat fabrics will last longer also).Hi Tombie,
Beg to differ, the handle isn't earthed. If it was, we wouldn't be getting zapped.
The cable you speak of, travels from the handle, into the overcomplicated locking mechanism which is riddled with plastic gears and linkages, prior to eventually meeting some form of metal. That being the striking plate/latch etc.
[emoji1783]
Edit: I don't know what "PD" means...[emoji848] Ta.

[4bee]

PD = Potential Difference. I think, or it did when I was at Trade School. [smilebigeye]


Google it.

[Tombie]

Here you go...


Anti-Static Key-Chain Secondary Discharge Bullet-Shaped Key-Chain - Black Black - Kogan.com (https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/wjs-anti-static-key-chain-secondary-discharge-bullet-shaped-key-chain-black-black-ct0477-black/)

[V8Ian]

Here you go...


Anti-Static Key-Chain Secondary Discharge Bullet-Shaped Key-Chain - Black Black - Kogan.com (https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/wjs-anti-static-key-chain-secondary-discharge-bullet-shaped-key-chain-black-black-ct0477-black/)
You can get afterpay on that. [bigrolf]
I wonder what would last longer, the payment plan or the trinket. [bighmmm]

[Tombie]

You can get afterpay on that. [bigrolf]
I wonder what would last longer, the payment plan or the trinket. [bighmmm]

It’s a simplistic circuit. Would last until you likely lost it.

[Tombie]

Mark,

*Recently* the little lady has complained of being zapped..

So what’s changed recently? New shoes, socks, outfit? Seat covers?

[V8Ian]

It’s a simplistic circuit. Would last until you likely lost it.
The purveyor was recently named as the most complained about company, nationwide, for faulty goods.

[Stuck]

Lol, but,
Can't think of a conductive thing to touch prior to exiting the Disco before getting out.
The "Chrome" door handle is insulated, the gear stick under the knob is insulated, apart from bending down and tapping the bolt that holds the seat in place prior to exit, i cannot think of a place that requires my delicate attention so that I may safely exit the disco..[emoji102]
Anyway, first world problem and all that...[emoji854]
The current / charge you're dealing with isn't born from anything metallic but rather a combination of natural and synthetic fibres. Don't worry about metal, just try it.

[16PMark]

Mark,

*Recently* the little lady has complained of being zapped..

So what’s changed recently? New shoes, socks, outfit? Seat covers?Tombie,
I hear ya,
It's random.
Nothing has changed.
Except the weather.....
[emoji848][emoji6]

[16PMark]

Mrs got this today.
Hopefully it doesn't affect my Lingerie....
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191128/98d9c4af0efb3405b78088c8e94c7665.jpg