Yes I know we are in the dead of winter, but summer is coming. I am going to have some kind of computer in my cruiser. All day. My question is... does anyone have any thoughts on how to keep a computer or a phone from over heating in the truck during the day? I thought of getting one of those 12v refridgerators that you see at trucks stops, but I fear condensation would be a problem. Any ideas?
How to keep electronics coolin the summer
- Thread starter vilasman
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Presumably your cruiser is air conditioned? If so, you should not have any overheating problems provided your pc is ventilated sufficiently.
If you plan on running your PC when your vehicle is not running... that could be tricky. From my experience, having enough battery power is a bigger problem than overheating when the truck is off.
If you plan on running your PC when your vehicle is not running... that could be tricky. From my experience, having enough battery power is a bigger problem than overheating when the truck is off.
One of those 12V thermoelectric coolers will chew power. Likely on the order of 4 to 5 amps an hour. I also don't think it'll keep up with the heat output of a car PC. A cell phone or tablet, likely, but it's still limited to around 36F temperature differential.
Another option is to get a CPU board and components that are rated for industrial or military temperature ranges and then don't worry. BTW, that is likely an expensive option.
Another option is to get a CPU board and components that are rated for industrial or military temperature ranges and then don't worry. BTW, that is likely an expensive option.
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Are you talking about the device in use or in storage?
I imagine that for a computer the situation would depend considerably on whether it is a laptop or a box type. Both from a heat production point of view and cooling potential/access to screen if any. Which is it going to be?
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I am surprised that someone finally responded to the question. To be a little more clear... I have a couple 7" tablet pc's and a 7" android. I generally keep one in truck to play with while waiting on wife or to stream music. It's 80 degrees here in the suburbs of DC. I have 2 in the truck. Rear windows open and sunroof tilted so its not burning hot in there now. In another month...it will be hot. That heat tends to drain batteries and can trash screens. I am an apartment complex electrician so I am already hauling large amounts of tools and such in and out of buildings all day.
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Electronics hate heat. Components can be rated commercial, automotive, military and most of that is regarding the temperatures they can operate over.
Obviously tablets/phones etc are rated commercial and so storing them in a vehicle in hot weather, in the sun, windows closed will cook them and the batteries will suffer. Take those devices out when you are parking in the sun and it's hot - that is your simple solution.
cheers,
george.
Obviously tablets/phones etc are rated commercial and so storing them in a vehicle in hot weather, in the sun, windows closed will cook them and the batteries will suffer. Take those devices out when you are parking in the sun and it's hot - that is your simple solution.
cheers,
george.
If you are just worried about the storage of tablets and stuff during the day, could you put them in a small cooler and store it out of the direct sunlight? It wouldn't be "cool", but the temp might be low enough to not worry about the devices.
Without a chunk of ice, most small coolers would only moderate the heat a little. On the other hand a cooler like a soft sided Polar Bear http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/ actually has some insulating capacity. You do pay a bit extra for it. BTW, the Polar Bear coolers run a bit small. My "12 Pack" one is really about a 10 Pack, but I knew that when I got it so I'm not complaining. With ice it is easy to keep stuff chilled properly in it for well over 24 hours. I haven't needed to use for longer.
You really need a compressor based cooler set to 70F with a 100 Amp hour battery to power it. Recharge the battery via the alternator with an isolator or use a second alternator to just charge it. Something tells me once you had that, you'd turn the cooler down to 40F for food and drinks, but that wouldn't be good for the electronics. Condensation would destroy them when you take them out.
You could put a solar exhaust fan on the roof to vent the hot air and try to keep the interior cooler.
You really need a compressor based cooler set to 70F with a 100 Amp hour battery to power it. Recharge the battery via the alternator with an isolator or use a second alternator to just charge it. Something tells me once you had that, you'd turn the cooler down to 40F for food and drinks, but that wouldn't be good for the electronics. Condensation would destroy them when you take them out.
You could put a solar exhaust fan on the roof to vent the hot air and try to keep the interior cooler.