Heat level in dash pockets?

[Computer Nerd]

I was wondering about the level of heat that builds up in the dash pockets.

Think it's ok to carry things like an iPod, or a digital camera in the locking pocket?

It would be nice to carry the camera in the dash pocket for easy use.

But I am just wondering about the level of heat.

[RTETR]

I don't know about a camera but if you read the IPod documents they actually warn about heat and cold in a glovebox so I'd not even chance the Ipod in there... nor would I a camera... too bloody hot.

Your call, but I'd get a small magnetic tank bag or use a breast pocket or something like that.

[AZST]

I wouldn't put any electronic devices in there.

Had a digital tire gauge get cooked. I learned.

I did buy a Chick-Fil-A sandwich in Phoenix once, put it in the left pocket and when I got to Utah it tasted great at the campground. :rolleyes:

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

[Computer Nerd]

Heh!

So it's at least a handy toaster oven. :)

Thanks for the thoughts!

[Computer Nerd]

It is irritating to have those handy pockets, and not be able to really use them. (Except for keeping sandwiches warm) :)

[TPadden]

It is irritating to have those handy pockets, and not be able to really use them. (Except for keeping sandwiches warm) :)

On trips I keep a wet washrag in mine - heated it just melts the bugs! I've found it particularly helpful while moving. I can clean my helmet shield and it almost instantly dries clear.

Tom

[alany]

I have used it to dry out wet gloves after all it is a glove box. However they do go a bit crinkly as a result of the heat.

alan

[sherob]

http://www.lowellvending.com/images/lunch_hotpkts-pizza.jpg

:D

[Burger]

At least if you put a piping hot coffee in the drinks holder, it stays piping hot... gee, some people are impossible to please :D

[Caper]

I cooked my cell phone in the left side pocket.

[Blrfl]

How'd it taste?

--Mark

[2dogs]

LOL!!!!

[Herleman]

I fried my Sears garage door opener in the right pocket. Got hot enough to distort the plastic case.

[forgitaboutut]

I bought a camaera pouch that loops right on my belt at walmart for .99
it works great,I dont even feel it there...and it's RIGHT there!!!

[fredz43]

I have my Escort 8500 and Autocom amp in the left fairing pocket of my 05 ST1300 with no problems. Had the same setup in the right pocket of my 03 ST1300 for 24k miles with no problems. Had the Honda RDS radio in the left pocket of the 03. I guess some electronics are tougher than others.

[29PalmsMark]

I put a clean folded sock in the bottom of the right pocket and stuff my cell phone and ipod in there along with any other electronic goodies. It gets warm, but no worse than the front seat of the truck.

The left front pocket on the other hand, is off limits to anything but paperwork and other items that can take the heat. Even with the inside cowling drilled and vented, the left side pocket remains much too hot for storage of anything electronic.

[Geoff]

I keep napkins from 7-11 inside the left pocket, so I can wrap them around the burn marks I get from getting things from the right pocket..:hurt1: :bannana :hotpepper

[Blrfl]

I did this (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15154) to stash my Sirius receiver. It was cheap (cheep! cheep!) and works great.

--Mark

[Computer Nerd]

So being veldro'd higher up in the pocket keeps it out of some of the heat?

I was playing around with the idea of mounting some speakers in my dash, and then setting up the gear to play an iPod in that left pocket.

But since it's a toaster over, I dunno... :rolleyes:

[hojo in sc]

I fried my Sears garage door opener in the right pocket. Got hot enough to distort the plastic case.


I've had my door opener in my right glove pocket since last year, never a problem.

[UNTMatt]

I've not had any of the major issues some of the others have had. It does get warm but if you look at the location of the pockets in relation to the engine, it's really not much of a surprise. I've kept a camera, security badge, cell phone, and garage door opener in the right pocket and none suffered any damage...even with outdoor temps over 100° F mark.

Someone suggested that, to help with the high temps, to wrap the pockets with that metal insulating tape you can get at your local big-box hardware store. I might try that and see if it cuts down on the temps.

[Computer Nerd]

Thanks again for the advice. I will try the insulating material.

[Blrfl]

So being veldro'd higher up in the pocket keeps it out of some of the heat?

Not really, but I don't keep it in there when I'm riding. It gets some heat if I chuck it in there after I stop, but the engine isn't pouring more into it and leaving it in there all day in hot weather hasn't been a problem. (I do park in a garage at work, which probably makes some difference.)

--Mark

[hotfoot]

I keep my call phone and camera in the ziped up pocket on the rear of the passenger backrest. Stays cool there.
Hotfoot

[sirvior]

I had a 10mm small wrench inside of the right box,and,picked it up and it is now somewhere in a mt side in Tn (did not take me long to figure that was one hot mother) do not carry anything you value in either pocket in the summer

[Bones]

In four years I've never had anything go bad in the front pockets. Warm, sure. Melted, never. I keep a digital air gauge, a garage door opener, an LED flashlight, and other stuff, never a problem. Can't comment on burritos or coffee. One of the benefits of living in New England and riding an ST? That and roads that curve (when they're not covered with snow).

[Computer Nerd]

I hear you guys are getting moar snow!

I hope you have a good riding season when it does get there.

[STOnkin'aussie]

anyone tried to line the inside with foam - the white stuff used by companies to protect their electronic goods when shipping to customers? i have some approx half an inch thick - altho it will reduce the size of the left hand pocket - it has to be of more use to me because i can't carry anything in it now.

[rickj]

I keep my GRMS radio in the left pocket, and it seems to be happy since I installed a small muffin fan in the lower side that pulls in air and cools it down. I installed a switch to turn the fan on / off when I've got the radio in there. I also cut down a key and glued on a knob to it, so that I can open the pocket door in case I need to adjust volume on the radio or change stations.

Rick

[c-lapier]

I've kept garage opener, cell, camera & digital tire gauge w/o problems in either pocket, but without some toweling or packaging foam to cushion vibration I've had a cellphone battery loosen. I never latch those compartments while riding; a lot of the heat disapates with the doors cracked open just a bit.

[dduelin]

I use the RH pocket for my IPOD and a cell phone on short day trips when I typically leave the tank bag at home. I pad the bottom of the pocket with a couple of small terry cloth rags so there is less volume in the pocket to hold hot air - I cut a wash cloth in half for the right size. These double as visor cleaners if necessary. I wet one to wash bugs off with and leave the other to dry with. I don't snap the pocket cover closed so there is always some ventilation of air. So far I haven't had a problem with my '05 cooking these electronic devices. They don't really even get that warm to the touch.

[vintagemxr]

How quickly you guys forget all my hard work from last year on ST heat:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15885

That's ok, I forgive you. :)

[Old Git Ray]

Has anybody tried the expanding insulating foam spray, the type used in the building industry ?

I know it is designed to keep heat in but I should work both ways.

I know it is horribly messy, but I may be possible whilst the fairing is stripped off and when set it can be cut and shaped as required.

I was thinking of a thin (difficult I know) layer all over the outer surface of the fairing pockets.

If no one has done it I may give it a try as the summer is approaching.
I may even try rock wool if I can keep it in place and do some temperature measurements similar to what VINTAGEMXR did.

Ray

[UNTMatt]

In four years I've never had anything go bad in the front pockets. Warm, sure. Melted, never. I keep a digital air gauge, a garage door opener, an LED flashlight, and other stuff, never a problem. Can't comment on burritos or coffee. One of the benefits of living in New England and riding an ST? That and roads that curve (when they're not covered with snow).

We rode around all last summer, black 06 ST, in 100°+ heat with camera's, cell phones, garage door openers, sunglasses, chatterbox, and various other whatnot's in the fairing pockets with no failures or issues to speak of. Not one.

I will try wrapping in insulating tape just to see, out of curiosity, if it does cut down on the heat but I have no worries putting stuff in those pockets as it is. If I was going to have issues, I would have seen it last summer.

[Computer Nerd]

Those thermal images are great!

I was thinking of getting a new cell phone, so I think I will begin carrying my older phone in the storage box, and see if there are any ill effects.

[Tor]

Have had my Ipod on a shelf high up in the left pocket for a couple of years. Never had problems. Have had a digital camera in the right pocket on several occasions. Never had problems.

[STeve Kelly]

I keep my cell phone in the right pocket and the garage door opener in the left. Just got home from a ride with 86f outside. Never have any problems. Just go fast enough to keep air moving in that area.

[vintagemxr]

Those thermal images are great!

I was thinking of getting a new cell phone, so I think I will begin carrying my older phone in the storage box, and see if there are any ill effects.

Keep in mind that air temps inside a passenger car can exceed 170°F just sitting in the sun (here in AZ). Consumer electronics, at least the quality stuff, are pretty tough these days and have to survive just being left on the seat of a car (which can get hotter than 170°). I still think the repeated exposure to high heat + road vibration in a fairing pocket isn't the best thing for phones, iPods, or whatever. If I still had my ST I'd probably be lining the fairing pockets with some thin foam or something on the inside so whatever is in them was protected first from vibration and second from direct heat transfer from the walls of the compartment. I'd rather be a little extra cautious than have my cell phone croak when I needed it most.

[MrClean]

Keep in mind that air temps inside a passenger car can exceed 170°F just sitting in the sun (here in AZ). Consumer electronics, at least the quality stuff, are pretty tough these days and have to survive just being left on the seat of a car (which can get hotter than 170°). I still think the repeated exposure to high heat + road vibration in a fairing pocket isn't the best thing for phones, iPods, or whatever. If I still had my ST I'd probably be lining the fairing pockets with some thin foam or something on the inside so whatever is in them was protected first from vibration and second from direct heat transfer from the walls of the compartment. I'd rather be a little extra cautious than have my cell phone croak when I needed it most.


I agree , I will not take the chance on screwing somehting up

[Lou65]

I used that reflective aluminum foil insulation on the bottom of my seat and it totally solved the heat problem there...it
should do the same for the dash pockets....it also comes in a
tape at heating and ac supply stores....it reflects 97% of radiant energy....should work.

Be Safe.

[Computer Nerd]

I just got a long skinny nylon case that I glued/stiched velcro on the back side, and then fixed it to the inside lid of one of my luggage bags. That way, if I want to carry sensetive items, I can throw them in there.

And when I need all the room I can get in the luggage, I can just pull the nylon case out, as it's just velcro'd in.

Seems to be working out...

Thanks again for your thoughts guys!

[RibsST1300]

Has anybody tried the expanding insulating foam spray, the type used in the building industry ?

I know it is designed to keep heat in but I should work both ways.

I know it is horribly messy, but I may be possible whilst the fairing is stripped off and when set it can be cut and shaped as required.

I was thinking of a thin (difficult I know) layer all over the outer surface of the fairing pockets.

If no one has done it I may give it a try as the summer is approaching.
I may even try rock wool if I can keep it in place and do some temperature measurements similar to what VINTAGEMXR did.

Ray

I was thinking the same thing-expanding foam!

[Gonzo]

I once saw someone's modifications using some boat parts and tubing to vent fresh air into the pockets. Can anyone supply part info and pictures?
gonzo

[BlaSTr]

I think there are two problems with any electronics in the pockets: temperature and vibration. If you have one of those solid state iPods you should be OK. Unfortunately, my hard drive based iPod will most likely self destruct. I'm not sure my cell would fare any better.

Since I don't have my phone tied to any com system, I simply turn it off, thinking that that way the battery life will be preserved and having it off causes less damage than having it on. I listen to the iPod when riding but have it attached to my belt not the bike (learned that the hard way :( ).

Doug

[E the B]

I put a digital thermometer in the right pocket just after I bought the bike, and it registered 125 F. I keep my cell phone (Blackberry 8800) in it all the time without problems.

[ParkerBill]

First, let me say that my cell phone is always on me and never in a compartment or anywhere on my ST. And that has nothing to do with heat--it's all about safety and being able to call for help should I crash and get thrown from the bike down a hill or someplace out of sight and still be alive and conscious, but not able to get back to the ST.

I keep an assortment of stuff in my fairing pockets, for example, my right pocket right now has a couple of microfleece towelettes in the bottom in case I need to clean my shield and above those are an old-style stick air pressure gauge, the hex key for my Garmin cradle, some spare ear plugs, a ball point pen and a remote control for the garage door. Oh yeah, and I used to carry a pair of Rayban plastic sunglasses in it before they broke (nothing to do with them being in the compartment). Perhaps the towelettes provide some insulation.

In my left pocket I carry a Florida map, my black ST-Owners cap, an LED flashlight, a Mini-mag flashlight, some faceshield cleaner and perhaps a couple of other small items I can't think of. Why do I have two small flashlights? Partly to see how long they last in the heat of the compartment. I test them regularly.

So far, I have had not problems with any of the items above I've put in either compartment. Flashlights continue to light, garage door opener works, the small bottle of spray cleaner hasn't boiled over and the ball point pen hasn't oozed ink out.

But there is no way I would ever carry my digital camera, a cell phone or anything else of value in either of the compartments!! I use a small Joe Rocket magnetic tank bag for those items.

If anyone comes up with a really good way to lessen the heat in the compartments I know they will share it with the rest of us. :)