Learn About EMFs

by an anonymous ES sufferer known as “ES Engineer”

I used to be sick for a week from riding in a car. I never knew how much was “road fumes” or EMF.  Now I’m getting around much better, even driving to our ski area, 1.5 hours away.  I’m not a wreck afterwards, as long as I avoid nasty places.  Soon the ice will melt and I’ll be a regular commuter to the mountain lakes for kayaking.  I can’t tell you how wonderful this new freedom with my diesel car is.

The gasoline-ignition engine has spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture.  The ignition (spark) system is a tremedous source of broad spectrum (across many different frequencies) radio frequency noise, as well as lower frequency magnetics.  Because of the grounding of the car body, and the use of the car body as part of the electrical system, considerable electrical emissions exist inside the car.  The alternator is a strong source of emissions also, both low frequency magnetics and up to 1 megahertz from the diode (rectification of AC to DC) noise, when charging.  The alternator must be used for normal operations, as the ignition (spark) system requires constant current.  (And frankly, with all that electrical noise from the ingnition system, why not have it on.)

The diesel engine with mechanical fuel injection has no spark plugs at all.  The fuel-air mixture is self igniting (chemical reaction, no electrical spark) from the very high compression.  Thus, the normal operation of the engine does not generate electric or magnetic emissions, and it does not require any electrical energy to maintain it’s operation.

Since the diesel engine does not require electrical power to operate, the alternator is not required, and can be disconnected for normal daily use.  Over 2 hours of headlight operation off the battery is possible, safely, as diesels normally have enormous batteries for cold weather cranking.  Now the only other electrical emissions are the intermittent use of electrical systems such as window motors, etc.  Avoid the use of the air/ fan motors.  Any brushed DC motor is a terrible source of broad sprectrum RF as well as low frequency magnetics.

Mercedes diesel sedans up to 1985 have mechanical fuel injection and are resonably affordable since diesels are not as popular now.  I have a 1985 300D model, with turbocharger.  Turboed engines are often good for 300,000 miles.  Non turbo engines up to 500,000.  The alternator can be disconnected at the passenger side front fender well junction block. Also disconnect the power to the radio, they are a bad source of emissions from the digital display, even when “off.”   Either pull the fuse, or unplug the connection at the radio itself.

YES, I still dread diesel exhaust, and can’t stay behind one on the road.  I keep the engine very clean, repair all leaks in the engine compartment, and keep the windows up until I’m under way.  I’ve read about conversions for running on used fry oil, they say you then smell like a McDonalds! (I’ve no plans for such a conversion.)

Source: ctaz.com