Do I need to worry about stored RDS deteriorating?

[Iraqgunz]

WE HAVE A SECTION FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT OPTICS. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ARE POSTING IN THE PROPER AREA.

I had two Aimpoint T1's in use on two different carbines. I finally decided to remove one and store it as a rainy day/SHTF optic.

Other than removing the battery so it won't potentially leak and corrode the optic, is there any other issue with deterioration of an RDS in storage?

In other words, am I better off selling the stored Aimpoint and maybe putting a conventional scope in storage instead?

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I had two Aimpoint T1's in use on two different carbines. I finally decided to remove one and store it as a rainy day/SHTF optic.

Other than removing the battery so it won't potentially leak and corrode the optic, is there any other issue with deterioration of an RDS in storage?

In other words, am I better off selling the stored Aimpoint and maybe putting a conventional scope in storage instead?

I would keep it on the rifle if a SHIFT unfolds you dont have time to zero it again.

[markm]

You want to coat it in cosmoline... THICK!!!

Then vaccuum package it in a food storage thing of some sort.

Next... and the step that most people skip... is a container that will protect it from and electro magnetic pulse of energy. Google that and you'll see how to protect the circuitry.

Lastly... you want to bury it somewhere inconspicuous. But leave a tether line above ground so you can grab it and pull it into action on a moments notice.

Trust me on this. It may save your life!

[Doc Safari]

You want to coat it in cosmoline... THICK!!!

Then vaccuum package it in a food storage thing of some sort.

Next... and the step that most people skip... is a container that will protect it from and electro magnetic pulse of energy. Google that and you'll see how to protect the circuitry.

Lastly... you want to bury it somewhere inconspicuous. But leave a tether line above ground so you can grab it and pull it into action on a moments notice.

Trust me on this. It may save your life!

Interesting. Not that I'm expecting an EMP any time soon, but I would have thought that a sealed ammo can would block the effects.

Not so?

[markm]

If it's buried, it'll be fine!

[FeltaDorce]

An Ammo can would only be effective against a very small EMP burst. The metal canister is a "Faraday cage" and will conduct electric field around the contents, but only to the extent that the can can "dump out" the charge. If you were to attached a thick ground wire to the ammo can, and connect this to a good ground plane (like a 10' copper stake in the ground), it would handle a MUCH bigger EMP burst.

[halmbarte]

An Ammo can would only be effective against a very small EMP burst. The metal canister is a "Faraday cage" and will conduct electric field around the contents, but only to the extent that the can can "dump out" the charge. If you were to attached a thick ground wire to the ammo can, and connect this to a good ground plane (like a 10' copper stake in the ground), it would handle a MUCH bigger EMP burst.

Faraday cages don't need to be grounded to protect the contents.

H

[Doc Safari]

I realize for civilians this is mostly academic, but in some future war a soldier might really have to worry about an EMP on the battlefield.

Is there some sort of man-portable container that would block an EMP blast? Maybe one made of hardwood with some type of liner?

[halmbarte]

I realize for civilians this is mostly academic, but in some future war a soldier might really have to worry about an EMP on the battlefield.

Is there some sort of man-portable container that would block an EMP blast? Maybe one made of hardwood with some type of liner?

Generally speaking, electronics with smaller components are more vulnerable to EMP. Think relays>vacuum tubes>transistors>IC chips>CPUs.

The other factor is antenna length. Anything that's plugged into the grid has the entire length of the transmission wires to worry about. A battery powered radio (or cell phone) would have its antenna to collect electrons from the EMP.

A device like a Aimpoint just doesn't have enough antenna to pick up that much charge. I also suspect the housing (being metal) would protect the internal electronics too.

H

[FeltaDorce]

"Faraday cages don't need to be grounded to protect the contents.

H"

In the traditional use of Faraday cages, this is correct. Normally, they direct current around the contents of the cage, keeping things safe. This application does not require any grounding.

With regards to EMP, things are different. The EMP pulse is not attacking any object with current (which is why EMP is able to attack electronics through the air, as opposed to needing a conductive contact with the electronics). An EMP pulse attacks items by "jostling" the electrons within it very quickly. In this case, an ungrounded Faraday cage can actually become the current EMITTER (it has the electrons in it, which are being driven by the pulse). If the pulse is strong enough, you can create a relative voltage across the cage itself, that may discharge internally. A good ground will allow the excessive voltage within the cage to stabilize.