Lightening and Antennaes

[Scotto]

I've asked this question in other forums, and I've never really gotten an answer that I can say was satisfactory.

Here it is (actually, there's three questions):

Is it bad to drive around with a big steel rod sticking up off the back of the truck during a thunder/lightening storm? What are the odds of being hit, and if I did get hit, what do you 'spose might happen?

Jennifer swears we were hit on the way to Guelph last week (the shot gun sound of the thunder clap was terrific - ear-splitting, left a ringing tone, Jennifer swears she was deaf for a minute or so after.) I figured since the truck was fine it was just near-by. Is it possible to be hit by lightening as you drive along, and with the exception of the big noise, just keep driving along happily?

I guess that's four questions.


Scott

[X-Treme]

As far as I know, since the rubber tires of vehicles act as an insulator, the likelihood of a vehicle being struck by lightening is extremely remote, with a long metal antenna or not.

If your vehicle has grounding straps or chains attached to it, all bets are off. Grounding straps or chains are those straps or chains that you see hanging off the back of some vehicles, dragging on the ground. They're meant to discharge static electricity so you don't feel a shock whenever you step out of your vehicle and touch the metal skin.

[NORDIC CHICK]

I'm no expert at this but when I lived in NL I worked at a fish processing plant. One night there was a terrible thunder storm and one of the forklifts were struck by lightning (while being driven) from what we saw. He got quite a scare but did not actually hurt him. I'm sure he felt a little jolt or something though. It has something to do with the tires or some crap. It keeps you grounded like birds are grounded on the telephone wires? NOt sure how that all works but same idea. Because it just hit your antenna you very well could keep driving without feeling it at all.
If I sound like a dumbass just let me know. I'll shut up!!

[NORDIC CHICK]

After Ginos explanation I know I sound like a dumbass!! You're so smart Gino!!

[Simon]

No no no....not a dumbass. Just "Differently Abled"

[NORDIC CHICK]

Awwww that's sweet!!

[Simon]

Awwww that's sweet!!

It's alright, you come by it honestly, Newf!

[X-Treme]

In addition to what I posted above, most refuelling station fires are caused by the static electricity that is built up on the outside of vehicles. What happens is that people will go back into their vehicle while they are refuelling and when they step back out of their vehicle, the static spark that is discharged when they touch the skin of their vehicle will ignite the fuel vapours in the air. This is one of the reasons for having grounding straps, to continually discharge that static build-up.

Static build-up is the reason why self-server fuel pumps don't have the trigger holder that full-server pumps do. It's also the reason why you are suppose to turn off your vehicle while refuelling, so the vehicle isn't continuously generating the static charge.

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Also, don't refuel gas cans that are sitting in the bed of your truck, or the trunk or your car for that matter. Always put them on the ground so any static build-up on them can be discharged.

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And last but not least, don't use your cell phone while pumping gas.

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[Jayman]

In this specific case, I would have to refer to the Masterminds @ Top Gear for the answer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve6XGKZxYxA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Embedding of this vid was disabled by Youtube, so that's why it's not right in the forum.

Anyways, the answer is that for the most part, you should be just fine. The bolt of lightning that was soo intent on hitting you, will just as quickly be dispersed through the shell of the car, and go straight into the ground.

Yet another reason to love Top Gear!

[coconut]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUUOdO6eEZA

Video of a van getting hit by lightning on the 401.

I would think an underwear change would by required for the driver.

[Spider 007]

Even if you're using those grounding straps/chains you have no risk of being hurt by lightning if it hits your car. The reason for this is that the electricity needs to travel through you to hurt you, and while your sitting in your car this just can't happen. It will travel through the body/frame of the car down to the ground using the route with the less resistance, witch is obviously not through you. Worst thing that could happen is that the electricity traveling in the car's body AROUND you will give you the same feeling that the famous "hair raiser ball" you experienced in science class gave you.

[X-Treme]

Just goes to show what I know.

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[Scotto]

Awesome. I will now rest easy during lightening storms.

But then Gino posted up that last vid - while I was typing my response - and I notice a "maybe not."

Mmmm. Well, I guess they wouldn't sell big metal antennaes for CBs if they were bad. And you'd think that trucks would get hit all the time if it were to be a concern...


Scott

[thegoodstink]

Grounding straps are ment for dissapation of static charges, not potentially half a billion volts lightning . I watched a truck get hit when I was a kid. Blew all four tires right off. You are generally safe inside your vehicle though. As said before the charge would travel through the body of the vehicle, and the water(rain).

[Bamboozled]

A friend of mine had his 05' 4 Runner hit. Insurance took care if it.. close to 20k in repairs. It can happen.

[X-werks]

A friend of mine had his 05' 4 Runner hit. Insurance took care if it.. close to 20k in repairs. It can happen.

Wait a second ... I find your post most unbelievable... even more so than Gino's....

Seriously... you have a friend?

[Bamboozled]

A friend of mine had his 05' 4 Runner hit. Insurance took care if it.. close to 20k in repairs. It can happen.

Wait a second ... I find your post most unbelievable... even more so than Gino's....

Seriously... you have a friend?

Moey, that was lame... hang your head on this one, you can do much better then that!

[Snafu]

A vehicle is like a guassian sphere such that electricity will flow around the vehicle rather than through it. This is also the reason why if your car is hit with fallen power lines you are safe inside but step out and ZAP!!!

I suspect that the damage to the vehicle depends on the path the electricity has to take and it will take the path of least resistance. If the engine were in the path then sure damage would happen but I can't see electricity finding the engine as the easiest way out. More likely through the trucks body to the frame and down to the ground (the water dripping off those rubber tires is a good conductor).

I thought they myth busted the cellphone static thing

[Spider 007]

I suppose the only thing that would really make it dangerous for you in a storm is riding a motorcycle.

Or maybe if you're dumb enough to drive around in a convertible with the top down!

[Miner]

Or maybe if you're dumb enough to drive around in a convertible with the top down!

Or in a Heep!