Storimg metal detectors in cars...

[Stoof-tabsallday]

So I was curious if anyone does this.
I remember Monte posting that he does and that as long as not in direct sunlight it won't cause damage. Used the example of the radio in your car not dying because of heat inside.
Considering putting 1 or 2 of my resorts in my backseat covered with a couple coils in case something pops up while driving.

Just wondering what the consensus is with everyone and if they do this.
FYI Monte said he keeps some expensive ones in his which scares the crap out of me lol.

 

[C.J.M.]

MAN,I would think heat will get to the circuit boards,i would at least wrap them up in a blanket

 

[slingshot]

I used my detectors near the water for years because I was careful-until it slipped in my hands. Everyone knows their climate and the degree of protection their autos have from the sun.

 

[Mega]

As long as a detector is not in direct sun light and is covered or even in a detecting bag then i cannot see any major problems,i personally for security issues never store or keep any of my detectors or detecting gear in the car,if i am going out for the day then the detecting gear is loaded a few minutes before i go and also comes out again as soon as i arrive back home,it reduces the chance of some scum bag with asbestos gloves lifting it for a shot in the arm.18 detectors and 45 odd coils have taken me a long time to build my detecting arsenal up and i plan on keeping it all safe.

 

[Hombre]

It depends on the trending temperatures and whether or not in direct sunshine creating solar heat in the vehicle. All last spring I carried around two detectors in my truck with no problems but as soon as Temps started rising, they stay in the house.

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Oh yeah definitely wrap or cover them in a white blanket.

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

It depends on the trending temperatures and whether or not in direct sunshine creating solar heat in the vehicle. All last spring I carried around two detectors in my truck with no problems but as soon as Temps started rising, they stay in the house.

That's the issue. We have been pretty hot here lately around 85. But if electronics run the risk of damage, then why aren't our car radios damaged. They are always in the car.
But thanks all. I'm pretty Leary about it myself and just curious how the community feels about it.
Being able to crack the windows would definitely help.

 

[steve1357]

Oh yeah definitely wrap or cover them in a white blanket.

Id be more concerned of batteries in the hot car......

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Oh yeah definitely wrap or cover them in a white blanket.

Id be more concerned of batteries in the hot car......

Very good point. I didn't clarify that.
Batteries would remain out of detectors and most likely just on me in high heat conditions.
I don't even leave my batteries in at home. After a hunt they come right out.

Edit:
The irony would be putting them in my car for quick use, but when the time comes not having the batteries haha

 

[steve1357]

Oh yeah definitely wrap or cover them in a white blanket.

Id be more concerned of batteries in the hot car......

Very good point. I didn't clarify that.
Batteries would remain out of detectors and most likely just on me in high heat conditions.
I don't even leave my batteries in at home. After a hunt they come right out.

Edit:
The irony would be putting them in my car for quick use, but when the time comes not having the batteries haha

You whip into DollarTree en route to the hunt!

My view of a detector in a hot car, I'm not concerned. I'm assuming it got just as hot when it was shipped, whether original parts from overseas on a slow boat, or the delivery to it's final destination.

On the flip side, when someone steals it out of your car, you go buy a new one....

 

[pinenut]

They'll last longer if kept cool. Capacitors and batteries can both leak if overheated. Leaky caps can ruin a circuit board, and I'm sure you know what a mess leaky batteries make...
I'd only "store" in the car if storage means a cool garage.

 

[James/Washington]

Well, now days ALL cars and trucks have computers, radios and other electrical equipment in them, and they do not die from the heat and it gets plenty hot inside a car sitting in the hot sun all day with the windows rolled up. I had a Radio Shack Discovery 3300 that I kept in my work truck for almost 6 years so I could detect between jobs and it went through some really high temperatures and it never gave me a problem. I would guess that as long as the detector is not in direct sunlight, that it would be OK. However, saying that, I wouldn't leave my high end detectors in my truck, or car, any longer than necessary. No sense in pushing it!

 

[walnut]

Tesoro manuals say it is not advised.

 

[trojdor]

They'll last longer if kept cool. Capacitors and batteries can both leak if overheated. Leaky caps can ruin a circuit board, and I'm sure you know what a mess leaky batteries make...
I'd only "store" in the car if storage means a cool garage.

+1
Overheating isn't particularly good for Lithium Ion batteries, either.

Still, I know lots of guys who do it...and obviously get away with it for long periods of time.
Glad it works for them.

Didn't work out for me, though.
I've got an older T/R machine that sat in a hot car, with a coil that's now shaped like a potato chip.
It's a constant reminder for me not to do it.

mike

 

[amberjack]

yeah not for me either unless I am on a trip , around my local area its just being lazy.

AJ

 

[Dave J.]

Cars are solar ovens. That's only half the problem. If inside the solar oven you put a metal detector where direct sun can hit it, the temperature can go up several more tens of degrees.

Back in the bad old days, I did an experiment. Ford Escort hatchback. Not an especially hot day, high temp about 90F. Stuck a 1210-X in the back of the hatchback where the sun could pound it. The plastic housing warped out of shape. However, I've never seen a unit come in for repair due to that kind of damage. Keep it out of direct sun and you should be okay. .........Of course prolonged high temps are bad for electronics and especially batteries (as several folks have mentioned) but most people store their detectors in the house so exposure to high temps is an occasional event.

 

[Stoof-tabsallday]

Thanks for all the input gents.
Your thoughts mirror my fears. I'll stick to pitting them in the car when needed. Or making sure I can leave the windows open and keep them out of direct sunlight .
Don't wanna fry any of my babies lol

 

[amberjack]

gee we got ripped off Dave pretty sure we didn't get a Ford Escort hatchback in Australia, we had a panel van when I was a kid going to have to Google that hatchback and have a look only ford I ever liked was the escort.

AJ

 

[Mega]

@AJ,yep,i have had a Escort hatchback called the XR3i back many moons ago,also passed my driving test in a original Escort mk1 back in 1971,nice too take a trip down memory lane some times.

Also what DaveJ mentioned about direct sunlight on plastic,had a Pink Floyd LP on the back parcel shelf in direct sun and it ended up shaped like a banana,another trip down memory lane as well

 

[amberjack]

is this it Mega ?? the XR3i ?

I had one of these

these are the last ones we had here http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kurri-kurri/cars-vans-utes/ford-escort-sedan-1981/1116878091 in fact that one looks like this girls I used see what um 25 odd years ago

you recon you are having a trip down the lane

I crashed one of these 30 odd years ago nothing to serious my mate owned it he made me give 75$ for it or something like that it was a 2 door as well so how much would that be worth now??

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=3&R=28544681&trecs=9&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__sid=155A8397BB5E&__Nne=15&__Qpb=1&seot=1&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294966264 4294966463&silo=1011

still no hatchbacks here they all had a boot even the 2 doors.

wonder if Dave's was like our modals or were they different in the US ??

interesting how we got here !!

thanks Dave & Mega for my little trip too

AJ

ps I was not eligible for a licence in 1971 old fella