Electrics in the heat

[MaximumRide]

As you all know I live in Australia, we get some really hot weather here. Can get up to 42 degrees celcius here, and serveral times more than that in a car.<br /><br />My question is, say I had a laptop or extention cord in the car. Is the heat going to damage these items and how do I stop this from happening?

 

[Rollin]

Everything I have read about indicates that yes damage can&nbsp;occur.&nbsp;Here's&nbsp;a&nbsp;article&nbsp;about what you are&nbsp;describing.<br /><br />http://www.geeksugar.com/Heat-Laptops-Laptop-Travel-Tips-9018472<br /><br />Maybe you could&nbsp;keep your&nbsp;electronics&nbsp;stored in a cooler while you are away, without ice&nbsp;of course. The cooler should insulate the&nbsp;electronics&nbsp;enough against the harsh heat.

 

[MaximumRide]

thanks, I'll check it out.<br />I had thought of the cooler or keeping things under the sink.

 

[josephusminimus]

I rigged a way to run a desktop with a screen and mouse in the passenger seat in New Mexico a longish time ago and had no end of trouble with every aspect of it, including heat jinxing the components by ambient temperature.&nbsp;My motive for doing it was running Terrain Navigator on a GPS, and a particular sort of metal detector extended out beyond the front bumper. &nbsp;Eventually I decided eventually a laptop would be a better option and it was better with the heat.&nbsp; The trouble became the dust and dirt inherent with driving unpaved roads and tracks.<br /><br />Keyboard life for laptops in that environment could be extended by various means, but not indefinitely.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I keep my laptop in a padded backpack (Swiss Gear, very sturdy/high quality) designed to hold laptops.&nbsp; The padding acts like insulation, and ive left mine in the van in the heat before and it was cool when I took it out even though i couldn't touch the steering wheel <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" /><br /><br /><br />I'll link the one i have but its not being sold anymore <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" />&nbsp; <br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VB7EFW<br /><br />I picked red because I was riding a bike 20 miles a day and I wanted it bright.&nbsp; Ive had this for like 5 years now and it is in pristine condition despite the daily and constant abuse <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" />&nbsp; Maybe the newer model is on par.<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Gear-SA9769-Red-Black/dp/B0019M7WFE/

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Sorry, I was adding the one i have to the above post, took me a minute to find the link <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" />&nbsp; It was the first backpack ive had that lasted this long with zero wear at the straps or even the carry handle.&nbsp; Zippers still work smooth too.&nbsp;&nbsp; Its not quite as stiff, so it doesnt hold its shape quite as well when empty as it used too but thats like a non-factor.<br /><br /><br />Computers handle the cold better than the heat, but the screen is the dangerous part when it comes to the cold.&nbsp; You will notice it is dimmer in cold temperatures until it can heat up, thats because the liquid in the lcd freezes.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" /> An impact that normally wouldn't hurt it can crack the screen at these times. The fan motors may be frozen too, might have been the whirring sound until they heat up.&nbsp; Its better to get it back to room temp before turning it on frozen.

 

[highdesertranger]

pelican laptop case.&nbsp; military grade.&nbsp; only take out when i need to use and&nbsp;i make sure i keep it in the shade.&nbsp; several times i have used it in 100+ degrees and no problems.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[MaximumRide]

Here is another one: http://www.amazon.com/Ibex-17-Inch-...p;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=swiss+gear+wired+laptop<br /><br /><br />I have some difficulty with Amazon, A lot of products won't ship to Australia.

 

[MaximumRide]

What does everyone think about this as a means to keep the car cool:<br /><br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/EXPANDABLE-CA...521837&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=pet+window+car<br /><br /><br />I just worry how safe it is.<br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[nemoskull]

its not so much the heats thats the problems, its the heating/cooling cycles. i can run my netbook in the desert heat, with no problems for a while, but i will not leave it in my car, tho i have and it works fine.<br><br>truth is i abuse all my electronics, and only had one heat related failure, (compaq laptop). the heat shortens the life, but then again, how many of us still use our laptops from 5 years ago?<br>water and dirt and humidity will be the biggest problem.<br><br>