Anyone ever had a laptop, cell phone, pda, digital camera get fried when you left it in a hot car in the summer?

rnmcd

Platinum Member
May 2, 2000
2,507
0
0
If so is there anyway to avoid ruining portable electronics that you want to carry around with you (but leave in the car on occasion)?

I was thinking about buying an electric cooler that plugs into your lighter adapter...maybe it would maintain a cool temp for awhile and not fry a digital camera, cell phone, pda, etc.

Thanks.
 

Kalvin00

Lifer
Jan 11, 2003
12,705
4
81
I left a handheld poker game in a car, in the sun, windows closed, in the summer once. I came back after 2-3 hours, and the screen was all black. I put it near the AC vent and it gradually went back to normal, and it was fine after that.
 

reitz

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
3,878
2
76
Why not put them in the trunk, where it doesn't get nearly as hot? That's what I do.
 

jemcam

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
3,676
0
0
Yes, when I was living in FL I used to fry several work laptops per year. Of course that was about 10 years ago, so I don't know if I'd still have the same problem or not with newer technology.
 

NogginBoink

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
5,322
0
0
Originally posted by: rnmcd
If so is there anyway to avoid ruining portable electronics that you want to carry around with you (but leave in the car on occasion)?

I was thinking about buying an electric cooler that plugs into your lighter adapter...maybe it would maintain a cool temp for awhile and not fry a digital camera, cell phone, pda, etc.

Thanks.

I think you'd get condensation that way, which would be a higher risk than the sun.

The manufacturers know we're going to keep our toys in our cars and design them to tolerate the heat. I'd say just put 'em under the seat or in another place that doesn't get direct sunlight and worry about more important stuff.