This product is designed to protect your vehicle from EMPs and power surges.
One of the key goals in my self-managed insurance plan is ensuring we can get home if something goes wrong. A car that won’t start (or one that just shuts off while driving) after an event like an EMP or lightning strike isn’t just an inconvenience—it could be life-threatening in the wrong circumstances. The DEFCON™ Vehicle is designed to protect your vehicle’s electronics from these specific threats, giving you one less thing to worry about if disaster strikes.
Do I know it’ll work?
I’ve done my research, and while I’m more confident than not… that it’ll work, I can’t say with absolute certainty. That’s no different from the insurance I pay for—I trust it will cover me if something goes wrong, but there’s always an element of uncertainty. Like life or car insurance, it’s a calculated choice. When it comes to preparedness, I’d rather take a chance on something that could work than face a definite failure by doing nothing.
What It Will and Won’t Protect Against
Let’s start with what this device can and cannot do.
- What It Works For:
- EMP Events: Electromagnetic pulses, whether natural or man-made, can fry sensitive vehicle electronics. This device protects against those surges and ensures your car remains functional.
- Non-Direct Lightning Strikes: While a direct strike will damage just about anything, the DEFCON™ Vehicle is effective at mitigating surges from indirect strikes, which are far more common.
- Vehicle Malfunctions: The device also helps with transient energy caused by internal issues, like short circuits or electrical faults.
- What It Won’t Work For:
- Direct Lightning Strikes: A direct hit from lightning is exceptionally powerful and beyond the scope of what this or any similar product can handle. That said, these strikes are rare.
- Solar Flares and CMEs: Contrary to some beliefs, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares don’t produce high enough frequencies to affect vehicles. They’re more likely to impact long power lines or satellites.
The DEFCON™ Vehicle doesn’t protect against every scenario, but it does cover critical, realistic risks. It’s a practical addition for anyone serious about preparedness.
How It Works
The DEFCON™ Vehicle uses metal oxide varistor technology to detect and divert voltage surges in less than a billionth of a second. This speed ensures the surge is dealt with before it can damage vital systems like your vehicle’s ECU, sensors, or battery. If an EMP or a power surge occurs, the DEFCON™ Vehicle channels the excess energy safely away, preserving your vehicle’s functionality.
The DEFCON™ Vehicle protects several critical electronic components in your car, including:
- Engine Control Unit (ECU): The central computer that manages engine performance, fuel injection, and other essential functions.
- Sensors: Various sensors like oxygen, throttle position, and crankshaft sensors critical for engine operation.
- Battery: Protects the battery from voltage spikes that could cause overheating or failure.
- Alternator: Shields the alternator from damage caused by surges that can impact charging and power supply.
- Wiring Harness: Prevents damage to the electrical wiring system that connects all electronic components.
- Infotainment and Auxiliary Systems: Safeguards devices like GPS, stereo systems, and other electronic accessories.
- Ignition System: Ensures the vehicle’s ignition system, including coils and modules, remains operational.
- Fuses and Relays: Prevents surge-induced overloads that could blow fuses or damage relays.
Why I Use It
For me, this isn’t about gadgetry; it’s about reliability. If I need to get home or help someone else in a bad situation, my car needs to work. The DEFCON™ Vehicle adds that extra layer of protection to my plan, so I know I’m covered in the event of an EMP or a lightning strike. While the chance of either happening isn’t high, the consequences if they do are serious enough to warrant taking precautions. And while this product might be considered a risk (you pay and it doesn’t work) – it’s a risk I’m 100% willing to make.
Installation and Maintenance
Installing the DEFCON™ Vehicle is straightforward. It attaches directly to your car battery and a bolt on the vehicles frame. It’s stupid simple. The indicator light lets you know it’s working. This light does draw a small amount of power—about 9 milliamps—but it would take over a month of inactivity for it to drain 10% of your car’s battery.
For diesel vehicles with two batteries (like my Duramax), you’ll need one DEFCON™ Vehicle for each battery to ensure full protection.
Final Thoughts
This device is part of my larger strategy for preparedness. It won’t save you from every scenario, but it’s a practical, reliable step you can take to ensure your vehicle remains operational when you need it most. Whether it’s getting home during a blackout or staying mobile after an EMP, this kind of protection is a smart addition to your self managed insurance plan.
For anyone serious about a self-managed insurance plan, adding the DEFCON™ Vehicle is a worthwhile consideration. It’s simple, effective, and could make all the difference when the unexpected happens.