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"Hot Pockets" - 3GS battery overheating

RetiredInFl

RetiredInFl

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jul 7, 2008
2,455
249
FORMERLY NJ now FL
No, not the lunch food .... my 3GS.

WOW - This thing can really get HOT ! And I even have a relatively thick (Switcheasy Rebel) case on it.

I just purchased SYGIC navigation app and was doing a POI search. While it was searching I put it in my shirt pocket as I always do and I forgot about it. SYGIC keeps the screen on (my choice). All of a sudden my "pocket area" started to feel extremely hot. For a second I had no idea what could be causing the heat on my chest until I looked at the iPhone and it was still (15 minutes later) searching for a POI.

No damage to me or (I hope) the phone was done, but it was painful .... right through the thick Switcheasy case. I can't imagine how hot it would have been if the case was off. It remained hot for such a long time I stuck it in the freezer for a minute to cool it down and prevent damage.

I have read where the Lithium Polymers batteries (also used largely in radio control planes and helicopters) can becomes extremely hot and even explosive. There are some nasty demos and warnings of this on Youtube for the R/C model hobbiest.

I wish I had one of those IR thermometers where you "point and shoot" at an item to read it temperature. This was REALLY hot to the point of discomfort.
 
MisterEdF said:
WOW - This thing can really get HOT ! And I even have a relatively thick (Switcheasy Rebel) case on it.
Click to expand...


The case might very well be your problem. A thick case means the heat that your phone puts out when in use can't dissipate, and so it builds up.
 
I love hot pockets. Ham and cheese FTW.
I once got this awesome deal of 4 boxez for 6 bucks!
THATS 8 POCKETS FOR 6 BUCKS! :eek:

(I would take the case off for a few days and see if the problem persists.)

EDIT: I also like the subs hot pockets, with freshly baked sub bread. Mmmmm.
 
That does make sense and I thought of that as well but it would have been in my shirt pocket and if it had no case my body would have also prevented the heat from dissipating and it probably would have burned me. That's how hot it got.

scaredpoet said:
The case might very well be your problem. A thick case means the heat that your phone puts out when in use can't dissipate, and so it builds up.
Click to expand...
 
They now come with pocket lint for realistic flavor.
Unspoken Demise said:
I love hot pockets. Ham and cheese FTW.
I once got this awesome deal of 4 boxez for 6 bucks!
THATS 8 POCKETS FOR 6 BUCKS! :eek:

(I would take the case off for a few days and see if the problem persists.)

EDIT: I also like the subs hot pockets, with freshly baked sub bread. Mmmmm.
Click to expand...
 
scaredpoet said:
The case might very well be your problem. A thick case means the heat that your phone puts out when in use can't dissipate, and so it builds up.
Click to expand...

+1 Everyone with a case I know complains of heat from the iPhone, everyone I know who doesnt use a case (me and one other person I know) have no heat issues what so ever.

This would be almost the same as having your laptop sitting on a blanked. There's an extra layer there insulating the heat from the device.
 
Unspoken Demise said:
I love hot pockets. Ham and cheese FTW.
I once got this awesome deal of 4 boxez for 6 bucks!
THATS 8 POCKETS FOR 6 BUCKS! :eek:

(I would take the case off for a few days and see if the problem persists.)

EDIT: I also like the subs hot pockets, with freshly baked sub bread. Mmmmm.
Click to expand...

Me hate when iPhone get hot as pizza and screen hot sweat.


OP, take it back and get a replacement.
 
op

1. take the case off!

2. run the SYGIC navigation app again (without putting it in your pocket or on your person) let the app run a while monitor to see if it gets hot again. if it does your issue is either the phone or the app. either way I talk to Apple

3. if it doesn't it's the case stop using it.

4. favorite Hot Pockets Meatball, Pepperoni & Ham & Cheese in that order. hot pocket subs are the bomb though. :D
 
While I agree with you completely regarding the insulating effect of a case, this thing literally got too hot to comfortably hold. While having no case would have certainly made a difference when carrying the device around I don't think the amount of heat that was generated would have been COMFORTABLY dissipated into a shirt pocket which was tight against the skin without feeling just about as hot. This wasn't just "warm" to the touch it was "hot" to the extent of discomfort in my shirt pocket.


chrono1081 said:
+1 Everyone with a case I know complains of heat from the iPhone, everyone I know who doesnt use a case (me and one other person I know) have no heat issues what so ever.

This would be almost the same as having your laptop sitting on a blanked. There's an extra layer there insulating the heat from the device.
Click to expand...
 
Without question it's the app. App was running 15 minutes searching for a POI and the screen was on. I simply forgot about it. It's never happened before but caught me by surprise. What surprises me though is that there is no thermal shutdown of the phone when it gets that hot.

LiPo batteries (same type used in iPhones) are very unstable and can generate a lot of heat. I use them in radio control aircraft and the manufacturers warnings are VERY extreme on their use. The APA is currently trying to get the FAA to prevent them from being brought into airplane cargo bays in quantity because they have created problems. I'm sure Apple has them under complete control but a LiPo is a LiPo.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQjudHKh-bI

Manufacturer warning: http://www.e-fliterc.com/ProdInfo/Files/EFL LiPo Warning.pdf


labman said:
1. take the case off!

2. run the SYGIC navigation app again (without putting it in your pocket or on your person) let the app run a while monitor to see if it gets hot again. if it does your issue is either the phone or the app. either way I talk to Apple

3. if it doesn't it's the case stop using it.

4. favorite Hot Pockets Meatball, Pepperoni & Ham & Cheese in that order. hot pocket subs are the bomb though. :D
Click to expand...
 
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