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My 2008 Prius, and other things, EMF Measurements!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by KK6PD, Feb 15, 2011.

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  1. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Well, after a couple of threads on EMF, most of which proved nothing much, I happened to find out that we now have a EMF Meter at the facility where I work.
    Cool......
    OK, I now have possession of the unit. It's Walker Scientific ELF-600. It will measure magnetic field strength in Milligauss .001 or in Gauss. I imagine their are better handheld meters out there, hey, this is what I have access to, so lets play!!!

    I started placing the unit next to my home Power Meter..
    [​IMG]

    This is the only reading taken in the Gauss setting.
    At the meter it reads .30 Gauss!
    Next, to get some references, here are some household items. ALL measurement readings from this point on are in MILLIGAUSS or .001 Gauss!

    CELL PHONE

    [​IMG]
    Toaster
    [​IMG]

    Flat Screen
    [​IMG]

    SOLAR COMP
    [​IMG]

    Microwave heating water
    [​IMG]

    My Cat
    [​IMG]

    The Other Cat
    [​IMG]

    Now, lets go to the car,

    Door open power off!
    [​IMG]

    On dash power off
    [​IMG]

    Now for the rest of the tests
    We are still reading in Milli Gauss, Power On, inside the car.

    Under hood next to to top center relay box Power On
    [​IMG]

    Drivers floor Power On
    [​IMG]

    Driving 30mph uphill
    [​IMG]



    Drivers side rear pocket Power On
    [​IMG]

    Driving rear seat
    [​IMG]

    Driving rear seat 2
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Top of HV Battery Power On 1
    [​IMG]

    Top of HV Battery Power On 2
    [​IMG]


    Well, after this many shots, I seem to detect a pattern, namely, my Flat Screen, Toaster, Microwave Oven, Computer Monitor, Cell Phone, The Power Meter, ALL have MUCH more EMF than the Prius.

    Personally, I really am not going to loose any sleep over his matter! It's put to bed!
    If anybody wants a specific shot of something inside the car with a measurement, shout it out, I will post updates/edits!
    Hoot Mon!!!:eek:
     
    #1 KK6PD, Feb 15, 2011
    uart, Corwyn, Silver bullit and 15 others like this.
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    How about a measurement on top of the inverter.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Feb 15, 2011
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    How about near the exhaust pipe or the gas engine.
     
    #3 usbseawolf2000, Feb 15, 2011
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how about next to tim from scotland?:D
     
    #4 bisco, Feb 15, 2011
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  5. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    Another freakin' EMF thread... BTW pink is not your nail polish color Pat.
     
    #5 Ryanpl, Feb 15, 2011
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  6. dtuite

    dtuite Silverback

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    Is the meter on your power drop the old fashioned reluctance type? (Because that's what it looks like. I'm just trying to disaarm any smart-meter paranoia.)

    What is it that people think, anyway? That the car's some kind of diathermy machine?

    Here's a nice tear-down of the power electronics:
    http://www.eetimes.com/design/automotive-design/4004694/Special-Issue-Inside-the-Toyota-Prius-Part-5--Inverter-converter-is-Prius-power-broker

    There's no real secret sauce on the power side. Managing the coupling between the ICE and the MGs -- now THAT's elegant.

    When I operate on 2 meters and 440, I don't hear anything from the car, but those bands are FM and I wouldn't. I have a friend with a 2009, though, who operates the HF bands (screwdriver antenna on the back bumper -- don't know what he does for a counterpoise) -- and I've never heard him complain about EMI from the car.
     
    #6 dtuite, Feb 15, 2011
  7. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    #7 uart, Feb 16, 2011
  8. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    Slightly off topic, but do you have a CRT TV or Monitor. If so, do you mind testing, the front, sides and back of it?
     
    #8 sipnfuel, Feb 16, 2011
  9. jstraw20

    jstraw20 Member

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    Obviously these pictures are fakes. Why are you protecting Toyota, do you work for them???
     
    #9 jstraw20, Feb 16, 2011
  10. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Sorry if I missed it but what is the range of frequencies of the EM wave that the meter measures at?

    Also does Toyota make different color themes for the MFD energy monitor? OP's definitely look different color from mine.
     
    #10 2009Prius, Feb 16, 2011
  11. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I would like to see driver's side, at speed, going downhill with regen in progress.
     
    #11 spiderman, Feb 16, 2011
  12. PriusTech

    PriusTech Member

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    thanks for this post

    It's always nice to see hard evidence
     
    #12 PriusTech, Feb 16, 2011
  13. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Well, there are certainly some good pic opportunities in the previous posts, and as soon as it stops raining here in sunny SoCal, I will take some more pics. That will be tomorow, with luck, or early next week!

    The freq range of the meter is 40Hz to 400Hz.

    And yes, my MFD has the "Orange Theme" selected, I really hate the green look![​IMG]
     
    #13 KK6PD, Feb 16, 2011
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  14. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Nice, it matches with the woodtrim. :D
     
    #14 usbseawolf2000, Feb 16, 2011
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Well then, that limits the usefulness of the measurements. The Prius is not an AC power plant operating at 60 Hz. The inverter is probably operating somewhere around 5 kHz or so, and the vehicle is probably also producing spurious energy at HF frequencies.

    However it is good to know that in the cited range, being in the Prius is about as dangerous as having a couple of cats sitting on your lap, without provoking nasal allergies that the cat fur might cause... :cool:
     
    #15 Patrick Wong, Feb 16, 2011
  16. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    The real dangerous frequencies (ionizing radiation) actually don't start until about 1,500,000,000,000,000 Hz :eek:
     
    #16 uart, Feb 16, 2011
  17. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Are you serious? Did Scotland Tim put you up to this?
     
    #17 dustoff003, Feb 16, 2011
  18. jstraw20

    jstraw20 Member

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    LOL, no. I couldn't find the sarcasm font.:D
     
    #18 jstraw20, Feb 16, 2011
  19. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    In the front passenger's leg room space, as close as possible to the ventilation fan motor without opening any panels, fan set to maximum.
     
    #19 richard schumacher, Feb 16, 2011
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can change it.
     
    #20 bisco, Feb 16, 2011
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