Pacemakers and Model A ignition systems

[Bill Goddard]

Tomorrow I am going to be evaluated for a pacemaker. Does anyone know if there is a history of pacemakers being affected by the unshielded Model A ignition? Thanks Bill G

UPDATE Friday 11/22: Had the pacemaker installed yesterday and came home today. Left front shoulder area feels sore but otherwise I feel better already. Medtronics guy was there and confirmed everything you all said. Have to take it easy for a couple of weeks to let it settle in. Thanks again for your helpful replies. Bill G

[springerpete]

Did a lot of inquiry before I took a friend on a long trip in my model T Ford roadster pick up. With the ignition and the magneto right in or below the seat I was concerned. Talked with lots of Doctors and others both in and out of the hobby and got a " no problem " answer. Went for the tour and had no problem. That was 2-3 years ago and he is still fine with no pacemaker issues. Now, is a Model T ignition a bigger issue in this regard than a Model A ? I would think it might be. I'm sure others will chime in here.

[txturbo]

Wrap yourself in aluminum foil.....you'll be fine.

[Kevin in NJ]

Depends, are you getting the refurbished 1970 unit or a modern one that keeps track of your every heart beat?

[adelaide 32]

I have a medtronic pacemaker/ defribulater( I dont know the model number but it was brand new in 2011) and have no problems with my B model that has an A distributer. The only time I have set the e.m.f. warning alarm off on the pacemaker was when I was in the roof of the house and the wiring to the kitchen light that was directly under my pacemaker was suddenly turned on. I think you should check and see if you proposed device has the e.m.f. warning alarm as it really does make you get out of e.m.f. fields in a hurry.

[jhowes]

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I also have a unit that does not have an emf warning system incorporated in it. It went off and knocked me to the floor from Powder coating with a hand held unit from Eastwood. Also do not weld with any kind of arc involved. I am learning to gas weld and braze but to old to learn new tricks very well.

[Chris in CT]

Hey Bill, I've had a pacemaker now for 11 years, in fact am working on my second unit. Never had a problem with my Model A, or any ignition source, for that matter.
The new ones are pretty sophisticated....
Metronome Man

[MikeK]

If you are that concerned, why not just replace the dizzy cap with a modern one and use five pieces of modern suppression core wire. One from the coil, four to the plugs. A lot of guys that tour with CB radios do this.

[Jim Huseby]

Hi Bill- In about '91 I was with my dad the day he had his pacemaker implanted. Three months or so later I was down visiting him out in his shop with his '24 "T" roadster. As you know, the porcelain spark plug terminals from the coil box protrude through the firewall toward the engine. He said that a week earlier, he was running the engine with the hood open and had his left hand resting on the cowl when he reached across to the other side and accidentally laid his right wrist on one of the plug terminals, the jolt passing through his heart. It didn't affect his pacemaker and he lived another 16 years when cancer took him at age 88.

[700rpm]

Wow. I've never heard about this. The stuff I learn here amazes me.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

I got one in 2008 and have had no problem driving Model T or Model A. But once I was pushing hard on a 1/2" drill that was close to my shoulder and that did affect it. It shut down for awhile and I had to sit down for a bit until it self-corrected. I have not tried arc welding since I got it so I can't comment on that. My sons now have my arc welders.

[JackA]

Wow, I think that I have Pacemaker Envy!

[Maclab58]

Bill,
I sent you a PM. I am a pacemaker rep for Medtronic.

Jim

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Originally Posted by JackA

Wow, I think that I have Pacemaker Envy!

Huh?
There is no such thing as "Pacemaker Envy" sonny, and these are legitimate questions for those of us who enjoy wrenching and welding but are held back because of circumstances. I wish I didn't have it but I can't live very well with a pulse rate of only 37, and the pacemaker kicks it up to 60 all the time.

[kenny in k'zoo]

I say more power to anyone with a pacemaker or any other replacement parts who still wants to drive their A. This is a legitimate question and deserves the straight answers he's gotten.
I have a friend who had to drop a TIG class when he got his pacemaker, the doctor just wasn't comfortable with the high frequency arc.

[jim k]

Bill my Dad rides with me in my T and my A he has a pacemaker never had a problem

[Don S]

My borther-in -law was told to stay away from working on cars with electronic ignitions. Fact, or Doctor not sure and just protecting himself ?

[Maclab58]

Bill,
How did it go today?

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Here is a link to the Medtronic website information on things that may affect your Pacemaker: http://www.medtronic.com/rhythms/dow...aws_online.pdf

Also, I remember one other time that my pacemaker "took a little time off" that caused me to sit down for a while until it recovered, that had no connection to welding. I was testing a DC motor and held the leads to the terminals of a 12V battery with my bare fingers. Apparently enough 12V current went through my arms and across my chest where the pacemaker is and I felt the heaviness in my chest and the difference in my breathing right away. It took sitting down for a few minutes to recover.

It is the stuff you don't think about that gets your attention!

[1937pickup]

Worst case is you will speed up when the car is reved up, not bad when you need to get something done in a hurry.

[Bill Goddard]

I thank everyone for their input. I conclude the Model A will be the least of my problems. One of the tips I got was to be sure to get a pacemaker that is MRI approved. You don't want to preclude that diagnostic service if it ever becomes neccessary. When I mentioned this to the surgeon he acted like I threw a stick in his spokes but agreed it was a good idea. They didn't have one in house so we had to reschedule the procedure for next Thursday. Thanks to all of you for your help. Bill G

[insomniacshotrods]

Im almost 48, Wow! Never thought about things that you couldnt do in life if you had one. Im sure all will go well Bill. Keep us posted on your recovery.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Originally Posted by Bill Goddard

I thank everyone for their input. I conclude the Model A will be the least of my problems. One of the tips I got was to be sure to get a pacemaker that is MRI approved. You don't want to preclude that diagnostic service if it ever becomes neccessary. When I mentioned this to the surgeon he acted like I threw a stick in his spokes but agreed it was a good idea. They didn't have one in house so we had to reschedule the procedure for next Thursday. Thanks to all of you for your help. Bill G

Good catch, Bill !
I have read that Medicare/Medicaid dies not cover a subsequent MRI procedure in cases where the Pacemaker is not MRI approved.
More info: http://www.mayoclinic.org/medicalpro...s-cvuv9n3.html

[Bill Goddard]

Btt- see post no. 1

[Al 29Tudor]

The Barn never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for all this great info. Where else can you get all this information. My doc. says there may be a pacemaker in my future - now I know what to ask about the device.
Thank guys.
Al Leach

[jim k]

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Glad to hear it's going well for you Bill we will be praying for you
Jim

[Bill Goddard]

I am reactivating this old thread to bring this subject to the attention of the group. My post #1 explains the issue. I have since had more MRI's and the Medtronic unit has made it possible. Just want people to be aware of the issue.
Special thanks to Maclab58

Thanks, Bill G

[jetmek]

Who needs an expensive pacemaker when you can just lay your hands on the plug straps when its running. Youll have a 1243 firing order

[Jembow]

I have a MRI safe Medtronics pacemaker. I've been told it's safe to weld with low current but haven't tried it yet. I've had no problems being around unshielded ignition like my Model T.

[Bruce of MN]

I have a 2017 Boston Scientific pacemaker and they only said that I couldn't be near any electric welding. A technician downloads data from it twice a year and hasn't brought up anything that would suggest a problem from my stock A ignition.

[JRHASZARD]

My wife needed a pacemaker so because of her age and for recycling issues, I got her a used one from a cadaver