Pace maker and the Model A

Al 29Tudor

Al 29Tudor

Well-known member
I have heard that Pacemaker's and the Model A ignition are not compatible. Our ignition systems are not shielded and give off electrical signals that can interfere with Pacemaker's.
Anybody have experience with this issue?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Al
 
Al 29Tudor said:
I have heard that Pacemaker's and the Model A ignition are not compatible. Our ignition systems are not shielded and give off electrical signals that can interfere with Pacemaker's.
Anybody have experience with this issue?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Al
Click to expand...
Al - Pacemakers are adjusted using magnetic coupling, not electrical (RF). You are likely at far more risk of inadvertently adjusting a pacemaker by putting a cell phone in your breast pocket over the top of your pacemaker than by a Model A ignition system. And I've never heard of the cell phone thing actually happening, just the potential. I'd put this in the category of "old wives tails". Rest easy.
 
I have heard of issues with Model T Magnetos and Pacemakers. Never anything regarding an A which operates on a battery/coil ignition.. Never heard of an actual documented problem with either vehicle.,
 
Jay Jay and Joncrane, Thank you both very much for your comments and reassurance on my pacemaker concerns. Have a great afternoon.
Al
 
I'm sure that if the Model A ignition system were to cause problems with a pacemaker, we would all have heard about it in he media. That's just the sort of thing they thrive on.
BTW, did you hear of the guy who had a faulty pacemaker? Every time he saw a pretty girl, garage doors opened
 
The only possible way that might be harmful is if you grabbed a spark connector with the engine running and were grounded to the motor through the path of the current.
 
My doc’s only restriction is electric welding machines. However, the Boston Scientific tech that sees me twice a year says that several patients are welders and need to keep working and haven’t had any problems.
 
I had quadruple bypass in 2003, 2 heart attacks in 2015 with CPR administered after the 2nd one.
Further complications gave me the choice of/or not of having a Boston Scientific defibrillator (pacemaker combined) implant.
I opted to have one implanted 5/30/23 by a VA surgeon at the Nellis AF Base.

I have strict instructions/orders to stay 2 feet away from any ALTERNATOR.
And , yes - no cell phone in left breast pocket.
Of all the previous replies, I did not not notice an MD or Doctor designation.
 
"Use precautions: Maintain at least a 24 inch (60 cm) separation between running motor / alternator and implanted device. Avoid leaning over motors and alternators of a running vehicle. Safe to drive or ride in a vehicle. An alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current. Alternators create magnetic fields which could potentially interact with ICD's and pacemakers. "
In the Boston Scientific EMI compatability guide
 
Al 29Tudor said:
I have heard that Pacemaker's and the Model A ignition are not compatible. Our ignition systems are not shielded and give off electrical signals that can interfere with Pacemaker's.
Anybody have experience with this issue?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Al
Click to expand...

My dad is 93 (94 in 2 months) and has had a pacemaker for 20 years. He works on Model A's almost every day. Zero problems.

One time, he decided to magnaflux a block. He got real slow. I took him to the hospital and they had to reprogram his pacemaker. He's not allowed to magnaflux anymore.
 
My spinal cord implant came with a big magnet to turn it on and off in case the app doesn't work or if I need an MRI. Now I'll have to check the manual on alternators.
 
I know that my grandfather got one around 1965 which gave him an extra 12-13 years. Never slowed him down with his A's. Here is a pic of him and one of my uncles from around 1968 or 69 :)
 

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Wow, 1965!! My joke is to guess that devices that old must have had cast iron parts.

Also, my pacemaker info was from my MD, not merely my layman opinion. I wouldn't doubt that different manufacturers have different restrictions. The other restriction for mine is not to get that area wanded by TSA. I even have an official laminated card to show them to keep from doing it.
 
I strongly recommend that you contact the Pacemaker manufacturer and ask if breaker point ignitions will interfere with your Pacemaker. All of the above is conjecture given with good intentsions, but the Pacemaker designer knows best.
 
You guys are terrific! Thank you all so much for your responses and comments on your experiences. I plan to try to figure out which device is less sensitive to alternators and breaker points.
Thanks again,
Al
 
The proximity or distance from RF disturbances is critical to pacemaker operation. Power generators with rectified AC to DC output or automotive alternators need to have some distance from pacemakers. High energy ignition systems are also distance related but some have enough shielding to reduce distance requirements. A person with a pacemaker can ride in or drive a car since the distance is adequate and the car's body adds shielding. A person just needs to keep their distance from operating engines to stay in the safe zone. Operating high energy electric welding or cutting equipment is also a no no.

I know at least one welder that had to change over to gas welding & cutting in order to continue working in the welding profession. Alternators and ignitions can be further shielded but it isn't all that necessary. A lot of pacemakers have monitoring capability to let the Docs know if the unit is still functioning on a scheduled basis. If the patient passes out then he knows he got too close so it can't be taken lightly.
 
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