Need advice on using computer inside of a metal trailer

>
> Hello all,
>
> Been a long time since I've posted here; I think my username used to be "R.ticle One", but it's been so long that my Yahoo! address expired.
>
> I may be spending some months in the more rural countryside; in fact, I'm going there to check the place out and run some tests in a couple of days.
>
> I would be living in my trailer (mobile home) on the property.  It's of a typical design (built on a steel chassis with aluminum walls).
>
> I need to be able to use a computer and the internet for the bit of income I'm making right now.  I also need to be able to use the computer in my trailer; unless I can convince the property owners to replace their WiFi with ethernet cables, ditch the CFLs and get corded phones, I don't expect I'd want to use a spare room in their house! (And believe me, I will try to teach them to change, but I can't guarantee they will).
>
> Some people might simply say, "Computer in a metal trailer? Don't do it!" However, I don't have much choice in the matter; I need to be able to for the sake of earning any money right now, so the best advice you could give me is about how to do it in the safest way.
>
> I need to mention that there are already a number of "safeguards" to make this an electrically "cleaner" computer setup:
>
> -The 19" LCD monitor is modified by Low EMF Office in Italy (the fluorescent tubes are replaced with low power LED strips; the control board for the screen is enclosed in a metal box on the back of the monitor; the cables are shielded; the monitor's switching power supply has been completely replaced with a large, metal-enclosed, very low-electrical noise linear power supply, which powers both the screen's control board and the LED lights).  
>
> The monitor emits virtually no magnetic and electric field, and though there are some noises on the AM radio, most of them "drop off" within 8".  They are certainly much better than on a "normal" flat screen monitor!
>
> -The computer is a small, low power, fanless system.  There's no motor making a fan spin, so no RF from anything moving.  The hard drive is solid state; no spinning parts.  The computer is in a solid aluminum case and kept a few feet away.  AM radio noise is present only at an inch or two from the machine at most.  
>
> -The keyboard is a Macally Icekey, which has relatively little RF.
>
> -The computer does use a switching power supply, but it's *relatively* low-noise compared to most I have seen, and it shielded from radiating more than an inch or less away, and its output to the computer is running through two medium performance RF powerline filters and a high end ferrite torroid, so it doesn't - at least with what I have to measure, and hopefully that is sufficient - conduct much RF noise into the computer.
>
> -The AC power which will supply the computer/monitor with electricity will be running through a fairly high performance powerline RF filter (in case there's dirty electricity from the building it'll be plugged into), and the filter will be grounded, as well as the metal box the filter will be in.
> ________________________________
>
> As you can see, this computer system is already much cleaner, electrically, than the average setup, which may make it safer to use in a metal trailer.
>
> However - I still need to hear from the knowledgeable folks here - ideally, soon, if you've got time to pitch in by the end of tomorrow or sooner - what else I need to do.
>
> The trailer's layout dictates that the only place to put the monitor will be, perhaps, a couple of feet away from the wall of the trailer, which is separated from the outer aluminum wall by perhaps a couple of inches of space or less.  There will be a glass window nearby.
>
> I feel I should ground the trailer to conduct any lower-frequency RF generated by the computer (assuming, even that they reach the aluminum walls of the trailer) to earth.
>
> Is this logical thinking?
>
> If so, how should I do it? I was thinking a steel plate mounted on the side of the trailer near where the computer would be, with foil around the edges and thick copper wire going to a ground rod in the earth.
>
> Is that the best way? How deep should the ground rod be in the soil?
> Is it a lighting risk?
>
> Should I try to move the monitor even further from the trailer wall (remember, there's limited space to work with).
>
> What about cables (the ethernet cable I'll use - which is, for now, ordinary, but if I stay long term, will be shielded - and the monitor's cables and AC cord that powers everything? Should they be kept far from the trailer walls? Or does it not matter if the trailer wall has grounding on it?
>
> Sorry for the lengthy message; gotta go now, anyway, my fingers hurt (not from EMFs, just sore joints!).  Sorry it's short notice, but any help from you as soon as you can will be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks kindly! Keep well.
>
> R.
>

>
> Hi R.,
>
> Where does the trailer get its source of electricity from?  Are the trailer's power cables metal-clad?  Just wondering whether the metal chassis of the trailer would conduct that electricity.
>
> If you charge your laptop, then you could take it outside of your trailer to use.  Then you don't need to use it inside the metal trailer.
>
>
> --- In [hidden email], "artikulone" <article.one.mail@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello all,
> >
> > Been a long time since I've posted here; I think my username used to be "R.ticle One", but it's been so long that my Yahoo! address expired.
> >
> > I may be spending some months in the more rural countryside; in fact, I'm going there to check the place out and run some tests in a couple of days.
> >
> > I would be living in my trailer (mobile home) on the property.  It's of a typical design (built on a steel chassis with aluminum walls).
> >
> > I need to be able to use a computer and the internet for the bit of income I'm making right now.  I also need to be able to use the computer in my trailer; unless I can convince the property owners to replace their WiFi with ethernet cables, ditch the CFLs and get corded phones, I don't expect I'd want to use a spare room in their house! (And believe me, I will try to teach them to change, but I can't guarantee they will).
> >
> > Some people might simply say, "Computer in a metal trailer? Don't do it!" However, I don't have much choice in the matter; I need to be able to for the sake of earning any money right now, so the best advice you could give me is about how to do it in the safest way.
> >
> > I need to mention that there are already a number of "safeguards" to make this an electrically "cleaner" computer setup:
> >
> > -The 19" LCD monitor is modified by Low EMF Office in Italy (the fluorescent tubes are replaced with low power LED strips; the control board for the screen is enclosed in a metal box on the back of the monitor; the cables are shielded; the monitor's switching power supply has been completely replaced with a large, metal-enclosed, very low-electrical noise linear power supply, which powers both the screen's control board and the LED lights).  
> >
> > The monitor emits virtually no magnetic and electric field, and though there are some noises on the AM radio, most of them "drop off" within 8".  They are certainly much better than on a "normal" flat screen monitor!
> >
> > -The computer is a small, low power, fanless system.  There's no motor making a fan spin, so no RF from anything moving.  The hard drive is solid state; no spinning parts.  The computer is in a solid aluminum case and kept a few feet away.  AM radio noise is present only at an inch or two from the machine at most.  
> >
> > -The keyboard is a Macally Icekey, which has relatively little RF.
> >
> > -The computer does use a switching power supply, but it's *relatively* low-noise compared to most I have seen, and it shielded from radiating more than an inch or less away, and its output to the computer is running through two medium performance RF powerline filters and a high end ferrite torroid, so it doesn't - at least with what I have to measure, and hopefully that is sufficient - conduct much RF noise into the computer.
> >
> > -The AC power which will supply the computer/monitor with electricity will be running through a fairly high performance powerline RF filter (in case there's dirty electricity from the building it'll be plugged into), and the filter will be grounded, as well as the metal box the filter will be in.
> > ________________________________
> >
> > As you can see, this computer system is already much cleaner, electrically, than the average setup, which may make it safer to use in a metal trailer.
> >
> > However - I still need to hear from the knowledgeable folks here - ideally, soon, if you've got time to pitch in by the end of tomorrow or sooner - what else I need to do.
> >
> > The trailer's layout dictates that the only place to put the monitor will be, perhaps, a couple of feet away from the wall of the trailer, which is separated from the outer aluminum wall by perhaps a couple of inches of space or less.  There will be a glass window nearby.
> >
> > I feel I should ground the trailer to conduct any lower-frequency RF generated by the computer (assuming, even that they reach the aluminum walls of the trailer) to earth.
> >
> > Is this logical thinking?
> >
> > If so, how should I do it? I was thinking a steel plate mounted on the side of the trailer near where the computer would be, with foil around the edges and thick copper wire going to a ground rod in the earth.
> >
> > Is that the best way? How deep should the ground rod be in the soil?
> > Is it a lighting risk?
> >
> > Should I try to move the monitor even further from the trailer wall (remember, there's limited space to work with).
> >
> > What about cables (the ethernet cable I'll use - which is, for now, ordinary, but if I stay long term, will be shielded - and the monitor's cables and AC cord that powers everything? Should they be kept far from the trailer walls? Or does it not matter if the trailer wall has grounding on it?
> >
> > Sorry for the lengthy message; gotta go now, anyway, my fingers hurt (not from EMFs, just sore joints!).  Sorry it's short notice, but any help from you as soon as you can will be much appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks kindly! Keep well.
> >
> > R.
> >
>

>
>
> Hi R.,
>
> Where does the trailer get its source of electricity from? Are the
> trailer's power cables metal-clad? Just wondering whether the metal chassis
> of the trailer would conduct that electricity.
>
> If you charge your laptop, then you could take it outside of your trailer
> to use. Then you don't need to use it inside the metal trailer.
>
>
> --- In [hidden email], "artikulone" <article.one.mail@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hello all,
> >
> > Been a long time since I've posted here; I think my username used to be
> "R.ticle One", but it's been so long that my Yahoo! address expired.
> >
> > I may be spending some months in the more rural countryside; in fact, I'm
> going there to check the place out and run some tests in a couple of days.
> >
> > I would be living in my trailer (mobile home) on the property. It's of a
> typical design (built on a steel chassis with aluminum walls).
> >
> > I need to be able to use a computer and the internet for the bit of
> income I'm making right now. I also need to be able to use the computer in
> my trailer; unless I can convince the property owners to replace their WiFi
> with ethernet cables, ditch the CFLs and get corded phones, I don't expect
> I'd want to use a spare room in their house! (And believe me, I will try to
> teach them to change, but I can't guarantee they will).
> >
> > Some people might simply say, "Computer in a metal trailer? Don't do it!"
> However, I don't have much choice in the matter; I need to be able to for
> the sake of earning any money right now, so the best advice you could give
> me is about how to do it in the safest way.
> >
> > I need to mention that there are already a number of "safeguards" to make
> this an electrically "cleaner" computer setup:
> >
> > -The 19" LCD monitor is modified by Low EMF Office in Italy (the
> fluorescent tubes are replaced with low power LED strips; the control board
> for the screen is enclosed in a metal box on the back of the monitor; the
> cables are shielded; the monitor's switching power supply has been
> completely replaced with a large, metal-enclosed, very low-electrical noise
> linear power supply, which powers both the screen's control board and the
> LED lights).
> >
> > The monitor emits virtually no magnetic and electric field, and though
> there are some noises on the AM radio, most of them "drop off" within 8".
> They are certainly much better than on a "normal" flat screen monitor!
> >
> > -The computer is a small, low power, fanless system. There's no motor
> making a fan spin, so no RF from anything moving. The hard drive is solid
> state; no spinning parts. The computer is in a solid aluminum case and kept
> a few feet away. AM radio noise is present only at an inch or two from the
> machine at most.
> >
> > -The keyboard is a Macally Icekey, which has relatively little RF.
> >
> > -The computer does use a switching power supply, but it's *relatively*
> low-noise compared to most I have seen, and it shielded from radiating more
> than an inch or less away, and its output to the computer is running through
> two medium performance RF powerline filters and a high end ferrite torroid,
> so it doesn't - at least with what I have to measure, and hopefully that is
> sufficient - conduct much RF noise into the computer.
> >
> > -The AC power which will supply the computer/monitor with electricity
> will be running through a fairly high performance powerline RF filter (in
> case there's dirty electricity from the building it'll be plugged into), and
> the filter will be grounded, as well as the metal box the filter will be in.
> > ________________________________
> >
> > As you can see, this computer system is already much cleaner,
> electrically, than the average setup, which may make it safer to use in a
> metal trailer.
> >
> > However - I still need to hear from the knowledgeable folks here -
> ideally, soon, if you've got time to pitch in by the end of tomorrow or
> sooner - what else I need to do.
> >
> > The trailer's layout dictates that the only place to put the monitor will
> be, perhaps, a couple of feet away from the wall of the trailer, which is
> separated from the outer aluminum wall by perhaps a couple of inches of
> space or less. There will be a glass window nearby.
> >
> > I feel I should ground the trailer to conduct any lower-frequency RF
> generated by the computer (assuming, even that they reach the aluminum walls
> of the trailer) to earth.
> >
> > Is this logical thinking?
> >
> > If so, how should I do it? I was thinking a steel plate mounted on the
> side of the trailer near where the computer would be, with foil around the
> edges and thick copper wire going to a ground rod in the earth.
> >
> > Is that the best way? How deep should the ground rod be in the soil?
> > Is it a lighting risk?
> >
> > Should I try to move the monitor even further from the trailer wall
> (remember, there's limited space to work with).
> >
> > What about cables (the ethernet cable I'll use - which is, for now,
> ordinary, but if I stay long term, will be shielded - and the monitor's
> cables and AC cord that powers everything? Should they be kept far from the
> trailer walls? Or does it not matter if the trailer wall has grounding on
> it?
> >
> > Sorry for the lengthy message; gotta go now, anyway, my fingers hurt (not
> from EMFs, just sore joints!). Sorry it's short notice, but any help from
> you as soon as you can will be much appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks kindly! Keep well.
> >
> > R.
> >
>
>  
>

>
>
>
> I mean if the wires are regular unshielded wires and not metal-clad, will
> the metal chassis cause increased body voltage inside?
>
> Grounding your trailer from its metal chassis may help with that though.
>
> --- In [hidden email], "emraware" <emraware@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi R.,
> >
> > Where does the trailer get its source of electricity from? Are the
> trailer's power cables metal-clad? Just wondering whether the metal chassis
> of the trailer would conduct that electricity.
> >
> > If you charge your laptop, then you could take it outside of your trailer
> to use. Then you don't need to use it inside the metal trailer.
> >
> >
> > --- In [hidden email], "artikulone" <article.one.mail@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello all,
> > >
> > > Been a long time since I've posted here; I think my username used to be
> "R.ticle One", but it's been so long that my Yahoo! address expired.
> > >
> > > I may be spending some months in the more rural countryside; in fact,
> I'm going there to check the place out and run some tests in a couple of
> days.
> > >
> > > I would be living in my trailer (mobile home) on the property. It's of
> a typical design (built on a steel chassis with aluminum walls).
> > >
> > > I need to be able to use a computer and the internet for the bit of
> income I'm making right now. I also need to be able to use the computer in
> my trailer; unless I can convince the property owners to replace their WiFi
> with ethernet cables, ditch the CFLs and get corded phones, I don't expect
> I'd want to use a spare room in their house! (And believe me, I will try to
> teach them to change, but I can't guarantee they will).
> > >
> > > Some people might simply say, "Computer in a metal trailer? Don't do
> it!" However, I don't have much choice in the matter; I need to be able to
> for the sake of earning any money right now, so the best advice you could
> give me is about how to do it in the safest way.
> > >
> > > I need to mention that there are already a number of "safeguards" to
> make this an electrically "cleaner" computer setup:
> > >
> > > -The 19" LCD monitor is modified by Low EMF Office in Italy (the
> fluorescent tubes are replaced with low power LED strips; the control board
> for the screen is enclosed in a metal box on the back of the monitor; the
> cables are shielded; the monitor's switching power supply has been
> completely replaced with a large, metal-enclosed, very low-electrical noise
> linear power supply, which powers both the screen's control board and the
> LED lights).
> > >
> > > The monitor emits virtually no magnetic and electric field, and though
> there are some noises on the AM radio, most of them "drop off" within 8".
> They are certainly much better than on a "normal" flat screen monitor!
> > >
> > > -The computer is a small, low power, fanless system. There's no motor
> making a fan spin, so no RF from anything moving. The hard drive is solid
> state; no spinning parts. The computer is in a solid aluminum case and kept
> a few feet away. AM radio noise is present only at an inch or two from the
> machine at most.
> > >
> > > -The keyboard is a Macally Icekey, which has relatively little RF.
> > >
> > > -The computer does use a switching power supply, but it's *relatively*
> low-noise compared to most I have seen, and it shielded from radiating more
> than an inch or less away, and its output to the computer is running through
> two medium performance RF powerline filters and a high end ferrite torroid,
> so it doesn't - at least with what I have to measure, and hopefully that is
> sufficient - conduct much RF noise into the computer.
> > >
> > > -The AC power which will supply the computer/monitor with electricity
> will be running through a fairly high performance powerline RF filter (in
> case there's dirty electricity from the building it'll be plugged into), and
> the filter will be grounded, as well as the metal box the filter will be in.
> > > ________________________________
> > >
> > > As you can see, this computer system is already much cleaner,
> electrically, than the average setup, which may make it safer to use in a
> metal trailer.
> > >
> > > However - I still need to hear from the knowledgeable folks here -
> ideally, soon, if you've got time to pitch in by the end of tomorrow or
> sooner - what else I need to do.
> > >
> > > The trailer's layout dictates that the only place to put the monitor
> will be, perhaps, a couple of feet away from the wall of the trailer, which
> is separated from the outer aluminum wall by perhaps a couple of inches of
> space or less. There will be a glass window nearby.
> > >
> > > I feel I should ground the trailer to conduct any lower-frequency RF
> generated by the computer (assuming, even that they reach the aluminum walls
> of the trailer) to earth.
> > >
> > > Is this logical thinking?
> > >
> > > If so, how should I do it? I was thinking a steel plate mounted on the
> side of the trailer near where the computer would be, with foil around the
> edges and thick copper wire going to a ground rod in the earth.
> > >
> > > Is that the best way? How deep should the ground rod be in the soil?
> > > Is it a lighting risk?
> > >
> > > Should I try to move the monitor even further from the trailer wall
> (remember, there's limited space to work with).
> > >
> > > What about cables (the ethernet cable I'll use - which is, for now,
> ordinary, but if I stay long term, will be shielded - and the monitor's
> cables and AC cord that powers everything? Should they be kept far from the
> trailer walls? Or does it not matter if the trailer wall has grounding on
> it?
> > >
> > > Sorry for the lengthy message; gotta go now, anyway, my fingers hurt
> (not from EMFs, just sore joints!). Sorry it's short notice, but any help
> from you as soon as you can will be much appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks kindly! Keep well.
> > >
> > > R.
> > >
> >
>
>  
>

>
>
> I also live in a mobile home with aluminum siding. My experience has been
> that you need to put shielding on the inside of the walls in addition to the
> aluminum siding on the outside of the walls. And in order to not have the
> "weird" effect experienced by a lot of people who construct faraday cages
> you then need to cover your inside shielding with wood or ceramic tile. I
> used to ground the outside of my trailer but don't anymore. I do not have
> the technical knowledge that many here have. I go simply by how the thing
> makes me feel. Hope this helps.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>  
>