Faraday cages for spare optics/lights/electronics?

[DDadams]

I really view an EMP as a realistic big threat to the country, regardless of who causes this.

I've started to buy extra optics and replace red dots with etched glass optics like prisms on my guns that are always out.

Now I'm looking to get something to store them in with a few other smallish electronics.

Does anyone else do this? What are you using? Someone I know bought a couple old, big microwaves at Goodwill and keeps their electronic spares in them in the basement. I'm thinking about going that route too.

Edit: and what about batteries? Should I store them in it as well? Most resources say they'd be fine but I'm not sure what to trust.

 

[Steve]

I have heard that potato chip bags without the "window" is supposed to work well. Something about the continuous silver lining is supposed to do the trick, but I have no research or proof that they will actually do the trick.

 

[Cavman]

Wouldn't a metal ammo can work?

 

[Magyars]

I've been told that the way to verify if something will work as a Faraday cage is to put a cell phone in it then call the number, if it won't ring its EMP proof.....
Ammo cans need to have the rubber gasket removed.
A tight fitting lid on a trash can can work

 

[lrdudley]

Ammo Can test

 

[TheGhostRider]

Dumb questions time on my part!!!
Why won’t a solid steel gun vault with a ground strap to earth ground work?
I mean what’s the difference between a vault and an ammo can?

 

[millsusaf]

Ammo Can test

The issue with these types of tests is that the bandwidth of the pulse may be different than cell, UHF/VHF bandwidth. It may still work and the emp pulse may be so wide banded that it will include those tested with but it may not. That said, it is certainly better than not doing anything but it's not an end all be all test.

 

[Cameramonkey]

In theory, one of the steel trash cans with the tight fitting lid would work. You just need something that will deflect and carry the energy away from the contents.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Behrens-6-Gallon-Galvanized-Steel-Trash-Can-with-Lid/3473839

 

[BR8818]

https://youtube.com/@disasterprepper

This guy has a lot great info on the subject. He also has a video on how to turn your whole gun safe into a faraday cage.

 

[BR8818]

I used foam weather stripping wrapped with aluminum foil around the opening of my safe door. Removed the panel on the inside of my safe door and wrapped the back in foil. Then used foil tape over the mounting holes on the bottom of the safe floor. Now when I place my phone in the safe it will not receive calls or connect to Bluetooth. When the EMP hits I'll send a pigeon to update ya'll on if it worked.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

Chances are they won't be effected, but if you want backups great. Not just for EMP. For storage to protect against EMP just take out the battery. An older thread with some good discussion.

EMP projects

What do you have that would not be damaged by EMP? An old car, truck or tube radio? An EMP storage box idea. Look around your home or work. What can you do if the power goes out for months. Do you know what critical spares you should have to fix what you have? Do you know what the...

www.indianagunowners.com

 

[planedriver]

For me the most convenient faraday cage is a galvanized trash can. Line it with a good quality contractor bag (no holes, rips or slits ) to insulate the contents from the can. The final part… this is critical. Take one wrap of aluminum furnace tape around where the lid meets the can. Done properly, the above should make a low cost and very effective cage.

 

[Cameramonkey]

For me the most convenient faraday cage is a galvanized trash can. Line it with a good quality contractor bag (no holes, rips or slits ) to insulate the contents from the can. The final part… this is critical. Take one wrap of aluminum furnace tape around where the lid meets the can. Done properly, the above should make a low cost and very effective cage.

Or replace the bag with cardboard. less likely for a sharp object to accidentally go through.

 

[stocknup]

I am in agreement with you of an EMP being a real threat ........
We literally just talked about this topic this past weekend . We are going to build a large "box type " ( probably 3` cube )
completely lined with copper coil stock . Copper is suppose to be the best to use ........

Did watch quite a few videos of some using the galvanized trash can idea ........ they make EMP gasketing that some add on the lid for more positive sealing and protection .
This guy had some decent info ( maybe a bit corny to some ) but seemed like he had quite a bit of electrical knowledge on the topic .

https://www.youtube.com/@disasterprepper/videos

 

[JettaKnight]

The issue with these types of tests is that the bandwidth of the pulse may be different than cell, UHF/VHF bandwidth. It may still work and the emp pulse may be so wide banded that it will include those tested with but it may not. That said, it is certainly better than not doing anything but it's not an end all be all test.

Indeed. These elementary school science fair projects... Don't know I'd I should laugh or roll my eyes.

There's certainly a Dunning-Krueger effect here. I'm not an RF engineer, because that **** is hard ( "D" stands for "done" when it does to some college courses), but I know enough to admit I don't know enough and can tell when a "test" is a BS way to get more YouTube views (i.e. money).

 

[Ark]