Ultrasonic Antifouling side effects?

[haydude]

I thought I had already mentioned that ultrasounds can make a man sterile, but it might have gone lost in the huge Jaycar thread.

Honestly I am surprised that the BBC come up with such news only now because already 20 years ago, back at university, boys use to leave the lab when ultrasound instruments were being operated.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16756381

I asked the question to one of the commercial US AF producers but they dismissed any side effect based on "the frequencies" used, although I doubt they have done any actual reasearch on the matter. I doubt too their competence on human biology.

 

[haydude]

Given the nobody replied yet, I deduct that there is a majority of girls on the forum

 

[aluijten]

Given the nobody replied yet, I deduct that there is a majority of girls on the forum

Or the majority is to old to care about that

 

[SailorBill]

Ultrasound scans on babies in the womb has been standard practice for years. I wonder if this could have anything to do with increasing numbers of men having lower sperm counts than average?

Back to boats... I've wondered if ultrasonic antifouling would have any detrimental long term effect on foam cored hulls?

 

[haydude]

I thought that as a positive side effect it might help with controlling diesel bug too.

 

[wizard]

I thought I had already mentioned that ultrasounds can make a man sterile, but it might have gone lost in the huge Jaycar thread.

Honestly I am surprised that the BBC come up with such news only now because already 20 years ago, back at university, boys use to leave the lab when ultrasound instruments were being operated.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16756381

I asked the question to one of the commercial US AF producers but they dismissed any side effect based on "the frequencies" used, although I doubt they have done any actual reasearch on the matter. I doubt too their competence on human biology.

Why would you want to put your bits that close to the transmitter anyway

 

[haydude]

Why would you want to put your bits that close to the transmitter anyway

Good point, but how close is too close? If the hull resonates as it is supposed to, then the ultrasound should be pervasive inside and out.

 

[wizard]

Good point, but how close is too close? If the hull resonates as it is supposed to, then the ultrasound should be pervasive inside and out.

You have to get really close to hear the faint clicking from the transmitter and the resonant frequencies will obviously reduce through the structure the further away they are.

The fact that it keeps the hull and gear free from barnacles etc is a win win for me.

Another important point if you do have serious concerns is to switch the unit off whilst you are on board. (Not much use to a liveaboard though!)

 

[snooks]

I thought I had already mentioned that ultrasounds can make a man sterile, but it might have gone lost in the huge Jaycar thread.

I don't tend to sail with my nads attached to my ultrasonic antifoul, or my echosounder

I've also just become a dad, so there doesn't seem to be any effect in our boat

 

[haydude]

I've also just become a dad, so there doesn't seem to be any effect in our boat

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

I feel relieved too now ...

 

[haydude]

... thinking again ... no I better do not joke about it.

 

[SailorBill]

I don't tend to sail with my nads attached to my ultrasonic antifoul, or my echosounder

I've also just become a dad, so there doesn't seem to be any effect in our boat

Commisera... I mean Congratulations

 

[Billjratt]

My immediate reaction - b0ll0x! The wattage of the ultrasonics we are talking about here is minimal and the transmission medium (air) is poor.
Ultrasonic cleaners use real power - you would be impressed with the components - http://radioandroverp6parts.tech.officelive.com/TY4_500.aspx - for instance, and we didn't have to leave the bench when they were running. (under test)
We were told to keep our hands out though...

 

[stephen_c]

will it remove the barnacles from my bo0&%ks?

 

[SailorBill]

will it remove the barnacles from my bo0&%ks?

If you keep your bo0&%ks in seawater long enough for barnacles to grow on them then I think it's safe to say they're beyond use and no amount of ultrasonic power will save them.