Honda Car Forum

Dswolfson wrote:
> We have new Michelin tires but it happened
> before we got the new tires as well and yes
> we have cloth seats. Can you explain what
> a grounding strap is? Is it something you
> can get at a auto supply store?

(see below for info on grounding strap)

Since the shocks were happening before the tire
change that suggests it is fabric related. But
let me ask a question: When you have multiple
people in the car:

1) Does the shock always happen to the first
person to exit the car and touch the door (and
then not to anyone else)? This indicates static
charge on the car body and the first person to
step out is discharging the car to ground.
Consider tires or grounding strap.

2) Does the shock typically happen to the same
person(s) regardless of the order people leave
the car? This implies fabric static. Consider
an anti-static spray (perhaps using an anti-
cling fabric softener would be enough).

I can also suggest an experiment to check for
fabric generated static: continuously touch a
piece of *grounded* metal as you exit the car.
On my car there are two places I know of:

1: the place where you insert the key

2: the metal loop that the door latches to (might
be a bit greasy).

Other metal items such as the door handle and
key hole for the trunk/gas cap latch are metal
but are not grounded.

If touching grounded metal as you slide out stops
the static discharge then it is definitely fabric.

If however, when touching the metal you feel a
static shock as your foot touches the ground,
then it is static on the car (tires/grounding
strap).

Here is something I found on the web:
http://www.topoftheline.com/anspray.html
Office janitorial supply companies also have
anti-static spray (don't want carpet static to
zap the computers). Perhaps if you work in an
office the someone in the maintenance crew could
try giving your car a spray.


---------------------------------------------
GROUNDING STRAP:
A grounding strap (or anti-static strap) looks
like a 1-2 foot piece of a man's belt. It is
typically made of rubber with some wire mesh
inside. It hangs down from the car and touches
the ground which allows the charge on the car
to dissipate. Look here for the strap hanging
down: http://stopzap.com/index.php?cPath=21

"Dswolfson" <dswolfson@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:E-ednYnHbd5EYF7fRVn-qA@rcn.net...
>
> I have been to the dealer several times with no solution only agreement
> that yes it is a problem. When we get out of our 2002 Odyssey and go to
> close the door you can get a nasty shock. It doesn't happen all the time
> and is usually worse during the winter. Does anyone have the same
> problem? If so have you found a solution. Thanks.

I've got the same problem with my '01 Accord (or for that matter any
vehicle). Actually, it's not me that has the problem it's my Wife, every
vehicle she exits gives her a shock. It's pretty funny to tell you the truth
<g>. It doesn't matter if it's dry or wet or if it's a car or the tractor
trailer, she gets a shock.

Brian

"Brian Smith" <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote in
news:NJbxe.101323$9A2.52016@edtnps89:

>
> "Dswolfson" <dswolfson@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:E-ednYnHbd5EYF7fRVn-qA@rcn.net...
>>
>> I have been to the dealer several times with no solution only
>> agreement that yes it is a problem. When we get out of our 2002
>> Odyssey and go to close the door you can get a nasty shock. It
>> doesn't happen all the time and is usually worse during the winter.
>> Does anyone have the same problem? If so have you found a solution.
>> Thanks.
>
> I've got the same problem with my '01 Accord (or for that matter any
> vehicle). Actually, it's not me that has the problem it's my Wife,
> every vehicle she exits gives her a shock. It's pretty funny to tell
> you the truth
><g>. It doesn't matter if it's dry or wet or if it's a car or the
>tractor
> trailer, she gets a shock.
>
> Brian
>
>
>

Some materials generate more static electricity than others,so it's
probably due to the fabrics your wife is wearing.Nylon stockings,perhaps?



--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov.> wrote in message
news:Xns968665E83E485jyanikkuanet@129.250.170.84.. .
>
> Some materials generate more static electricity than others,so it's
> probably due to the fabrics your wife is wearing.Nylon stockings,perhaps?

She never wears nylons in the tractor trailer and it doesn't matter what
clothes she is wearing. It's just her. After being shocked exiting the
vehicle, when she reaches for the door handle of a store or house, she gets
a shock.

Brian

Brian Smith wrote:
> "Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov.> wrote in message
> news:Xns968665E83E485jyanikkuanet@129.250.170.84.. .
>
>>Some materials generate more static electricity than others,so it's
>>probably due to the fabrics your wife is wearing.Nylon stockings,perhaps?
>
>
> She never wears nylons in the tractor trailer and it doesn't matter what
> clothes she is wearing. It's just her. After being shocked exiting the
> vehicle, when she reaches for the door handle of a store or house, she gets
> a shock.

I don't know if this works but your Wife seems like the
perfect candidate for http://www.stopshox.com/

"Brian Stell" <bstell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:4udxe.38015$J12.4998@newssvr14.news.prodigy.c om...
>
> I don't know if this works but your Wife seems like the
> perfect candidate for http://www.stopshox.com/

Thanks for the link. I was considering attaching a grounding strap to her
{;^0

Brian

"Brian Smith" <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote in
news:F1exe.102374$9A2.99720@edtnps89:

>
> "Brian Stell" <bstell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
> news:4udxe.38015$J12.4998@newssvr14.news.prodigy.c om...
>>
>> I don't know if this works but your Wife seems like the
>> perfect candidate for http://www.stopshox.com/
>
> Thanks for the link. I was considering attaching a grounding strap to her
> {;^0
>
> Brian
>

There are anti-static heel straps used in the electronics industry;I had to
use one for many years.They are a nuisance to put on,and do wear out.There
also are shoes specifically designed to dissipate static charges,but are
expensive and probably not fashionable for women.

Maybe she should put more Downy in the wash when doing her clothes. ;-)
(I can see that commercially cleaned clothes may still be static-prone.)

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"Brian Smith" <Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote in
news:xvcxe.102082$9A2.1769@edtnps89:

>
> "Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov.> wrote in message
> news:Xns968665E83E485jyanikkuanet@129.250.170.84.. .
>>
>> Some materials generate more static electricity than others,so it's
>> probably due to the fabrics your wife is wearing.Nylon
>> stockings,perhaps?
>
> She never wears nylons in the tractor trailer and it doesn't matter
> what clothes she is wearing. It's just her. After being shocked
> exiting the vehicle, when she reaches for the door handle of a store
> or house, she gets a shock.
>
> Brian
>
>

Her clothes must be the culprit then.Also,the human body has a capacitance
that stores the charge,and one discharge will not drain off all the stored
charge.That is why electronics manufacturing uses all sorts of anti-static
methods,usually two or more together.(just the static generated by swinging
a leg can harm sensitive electronic devices,integrated circuits and active
components.)

One thing that occurred to me is those auto cigarette-lighter ionizers;they
might drain off a static charge that would generate inside an auto.That is
one of the methods that are used in manufacturing and electronic servicing
areas.(big commercial ionizers)

But I could not say for certain.
It just might be worth a try.
Post your results here,others might be interested!

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov.> wrote in message
news:Xns9686CB9E72C94jyanikkuanet@129.250.170.83.. .
> There are anti-static heel straps used in the electronics industry;I had
> to
> use one for many years.They are a nuisance to put on,and do wear out.There
> also are shoes specifically designed to dissipate static charges,but are
> expensive and probably not fashionable for women.
>
> Maybe she should put more Downy in the wash when doing her clothes. ;-)
> (I can see that commercially cleaned clothes may still be static-prone.)
>
> --
I've been in electronics for 35 years; the anti-static emphasis came about
during that time. Interestingly, every single incident I've ever heard of
where static damage occurred involved synthetic fabrics - sometimes even
worn by people walking past equipment when the covers were off! I never wear
less than 35% cotton clothes to work, and if I know I'm going to be doing
invasive stuff I go for 100% cotton. It does no good to ground your body if
the surface of your clothes is carrying a charge.

Mike

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:i4CdncnIAZ0zaVjfRVn-vQ@sedona.net:

> "Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov.> wrote in message
> news:Xns9686CB9E72C94jyanikkuanet@129.250.170.83.. .
>> There are anti-static heel straps used in the electronics industry;I
>> had to
>> use one for many years.They are a nuisance to put on,and do wear
>> out.There also are shoes specifically designed to dissipate static
>> charges,but are expensive and probably not fashionable for women.
>>
>> Maybe she should put more Downy in the wash when doing her clothes.
>> ;-) (I can see that commercially cleaned clothes may still be
>> static-prone.)
>>
>> --
> I've been in electronics for 35 years; the anti-static emphasis came
> about during that time. Interestingly, every single incident I've ever
> heard of where static damage occurred involved synthetic fabrics -
> sometimes even worn by people walking past equipment when the covers
> were off! I never wear less than 35% cotton clothes to work, and if I
> know I'm going to be doing invasive stuff I go for 100% cotton. It
> does no good to ground your body if the surface of your clothes is
> carrying a charge.
>
> Mike
>
>
>

At TEK,we had to wear a wrist strap,heel strap(on an anti-static floor
mat),wear a longsleeve antistatic lab coat,and an anti-static bench mat
covering the benchtop.Every day,we put on the AS stuff,then used a 3M
tester to measure the conductivity to a floor mat,then signed off on a
ISO9000 checklist.

That is even with all cotton clothes.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net