Seeking Ideas for Computer Desk/Keyboard Heater - Hands Too Cold

tik tok on 09/08/2022 - 20:46

I suffer from extremely cold fingers during winter (Raynaud's). So, am looking for ideas to be able to warm my fingers up while I am at work (from home) using a keyboard and a mouse. The workplace is a computer desk and I do all my work at my standing desk. I keep the convection heater going close by and the thermometer on my desk shows ~20C but my fingers still feel very cold. I have also done some other song and dance with respect to wearing a few layers of clothes almost to the point of sweating and yet my fingers remain cold. The GP doesn't have anything to offer as there is very little that can really be done.

Heated gloves aren't ideal as I lose dexterity and am unable to type. Fingerless mittens are pointless and so is anything related to a glove. The fingers have no heat - so there is nothing to retain. For outdoor use (walks) I have tried almost every glove available (other than ski gloves and hestra - the Maserati of heated gloves) and only the heated gloves really help - but that's for outdoors.

I don't like the idea of a desk heater that blows hot air on my fingers- so that's out. Actually, I have never used a ceramic heater as all of them come with a fan. I think just setting one up far enough to not feel the draft, but the heat, could be an option. I really liked the idea of a heatbuff but they shut shop. Am even interested to do a DIY project. This guy did a DIY project making something similar to the heatbuff but I dont have a 3D printer and I can't think of what could house a halogen lamp supplied with low power to produce heat.

If everything else fails, I am thinking of just getting a Infrared heater with a stand from bunnings (eg https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-2400w-instant-infrared-hea…) and pop it behind by desk and tilt it down ~45 degrees - so mostly my fingers and perhaps upper body get the heat - but this also seems to be an overkill. Nonetheless the only option that I can think of for now. May be I am just missing something obvious that someone else might know.

Now that the winter is almost over in Canberra, I'd like to start setting up a nice computer desk heating system for the next winter.

Electrical & Electronics Heater

Comments

  • Downvoter on 09/08/2022 - 20:48
    +6

    Move from Canberra

    • tik tok on 09/08/2022 - 20:54

      I have considered that. But its the same in Syd/Mel. I guess that leaves Perth and the rest of the North. Interested to find a more cost affective way than to uproot everything and relocate. But that's definitely going to be the extreme last resort.

      • eug on 10/08/2022 - 09:20

        Isn't it less disruptive to install reverse-cycle AC and heat your home office? You can make it feel like summer. It'll drive up your power bills but at least you won't have to relocate.

        • tik tok on 10/08/2022 - 16:34

          Owner doesn't agree :(

  • Hybroid on 09/08/2022 - 20:57
    +2

    The Heatbuff infrared keyboard heater would indeed have been your best bet. Shame no longer available.

    Bunnings one is similar but you don't want 2400W directed at your fingers. That'll cook your sausages in seconds.

    There are heated desk mats available on Amazon that might help? Not sure how much heat they would output though.

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Madala-Waterproof-Electric-Extende…

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Speeds-Control-Protector-Extended-…

    • FLICKIT on 09/08/2022 - 21:05

      Those heated desk mats look great but it appears they're US 110v, might have to hunt around for a 240v version ;)

      • ankti231 on 09/08/2022 - 21:36

        Or buy a voltage converter

        • FLICKIT on 09/08/2022 - 22:00

          There's a lot of crap around but there does seem to be some decent looking 240v ones about… This one looks ok, local, 2yr warranty, but sold out, OP could contact them to see when they're getting more stock:
          https://heatka.com.au/products/heatka-hand-warmer

          • Cheaplikethebird on 10/08/2022 - 08:58

            @FLICKIT: Or just buy a propagation mat from a gardening store.

            • FLICKIT on 10/08/2022 - 09:17
              +1

              @Cheaplikethebird: I looked at them as well as reptile heating mats but the temperature was a bit on the low side or the wattage was too low, and as you'd expect they're a bit agricultural…

              Good temperature control would be good to have on something like this I think, as well as an auto-off timer so you can set it for 6 or 8hrs at the start of the day so it turns off automatically towards the end of the work day…

    • tik tok on 10/08/2022 - 16:26

      Heating mats are ineffective for the top/back of the fingers. I will have to constantly keep flipping my hand on a mat - due to the changes in temperature, that will lead to chilblains. I know because I have done this with a hot water bottle.

  • apsilon on 09/08/2022 - 21:03
    +3

    IR heat lamp or globe in a desk lamp.

    • tik tok on 10/08/2022 - 16:30

      Another user suggested this too. Thanks for that - I never knew such a thing existed. Upon googling, it looks like Beurer makes some (IL11 to IL50) - but they have an auto shut off set at 15 minutes and seems like people use it for a very short time, at a time. I will do some more research as I have no idea what IL I am after. The lamps on ebay are in Watts - so may be am just looking at the wrong stuff.

      • apsilon on 10/08/2022 - 16:41
        +1

        I've no experience with them other than in bathrooms, it was just the first thought that came up given you didn't want the draught associated with fan heaters. IR heaters do come in forms other than lamps so a panel or other type of IR heater may suit as well.

  • taoz on 09/08/2022 - 21:22

    feel for you. its been very cold this year in many places on east coast.
    Try and get more movement during the day, dont sit for more then 30mins for example. get up walk around get body moving.
    Look up arthritis gloves. a good pair may help

    • tik tok on 10/08/2022 - 16:32

      Thanks mate. I think I have done all the song and dance possible to work around this. Vigorous walks. Multi vitamins. Humidifier. Wim Hoff breathing. Nothing helps :(

  • mrvaluepack on 09/08/2022 - 21:58

    Just google computer or gaming hand heater. Plenty of different options out there, from electric gloves, to mouse mats, to mini fan heaters, etc.

  • CyberMurning on 09/08/2022 - 22:14

    Me too. Cramp and cold hands….

  • cookie2 on 09/08/2022 - 22:47

    I'm in the same Raynaud's boat and it's really shitty. At home I use my fingerless gloves and I use a hot water bottle so i can shove my hand randomly in the cover to get some warmth. Consider trying meds to open up your blood vessels too (I've tried a few but they've never helped but worth a try) off label high blood pressure meds. That's the problem though, keeping dexterity to be able to do what you need to do with your hands either numb from the cold or covered in layers that make your hands unusable.

    • tik tok on 10/08/2022 - 16:33

      Yeah, nifedipine was supposed to help - but it didn't. I think I will see a Rheumatologist soon.

  • eug on 10/08/2022 - 00:47

    You can get small IR heat lamps like this and this that would be more suitable than the Bunnings one.

    • tik tok on 10/08/2022 - 16:36

      Thank you for replying. I never even knew this stuff existed. Can I ask if you have used these? Would you know the difference between these lamps and https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beurer-IL11-Compact-Infrared-Lamp/d… ? I am going to google for it too. But first hand experience always will trump google-fu. Also wonder if I can just get a lamp stand/holder on my own, with a regulator so I can turn down the heat - and purchase an IR bulb separately.

      • eug on 11/08/2022 - 00:55
        +1

        Sorry I haven't myself, but my grandparents used to have an IR heat lamp which is where I remembered them from. They're very basic devices (a bulb in a lamp) so I'd be surprised if there was a difference between the Beurer and eBay one.

        Also wonder if I can just get a lamp stand/holder on my own, with a regulator so I can turn down the heat - and purchase an IR bulb separately.

        A standard dimmer that can work with incandescent or halogen lights will work as long as it's rated for the bulb's wattage or higher, but they're less common nowadays with LEDs everywhere so it might be hard to find. Wall dimmers are very common though, you could maybe get a sparky to wire something up for you. The lamp stand/holder should also be rated for the lamp's wattage as incandescent bulbs get pretty hot.

  • suchis on 10/08/2022 - 06:59

    Contact these guys…. There in lays your redemption, pretend you are looking for a job!

    https://www.antarctica.gov.au/

    • Crow K on 10/08/2022 - 10:02
      +7

      "Hi, I suffer from a condition that gives me incredibly cold hands and I'd like to alleviate the symptoms, can I move to Antartica please? No, some one on a forum said to ask, I know it's colder down there I was just- no, not a job forum, a bargain forum. Yeah. Yeah, well that's what I thought. Yeah, me either. Thanks anyway, bye".

      • suchis on 11/08/2022 - 12:29
        +1

        Shot down in flames…
        But do you ask a Libyan how to dry clothes…. no, you ask a Pole or the Irish now to dry clothes in a damp place.
        And so it is with cold fingers… ask the Antartic team how they keep their digits warm.

  • pegaxs on 10/08/2022 - 10:54

    Reptile heating mats.

    • tik tok on 10/08/2022 - 16:49

      First I am hearing of a reptile heating mat. Googling shows they are similar to heated desk mats? Somehow I thought it'd be like a long sock, with infrared heating, that can be wrapped around a keyboard and it keeps pumping heat out - towards the fingers.

  • Serpentis on 10/08/2022 - 17:51

    I have a similar issue with my hands. I can survive the day, the problem for me is when I take my freezing hands into a hot shower, that gives me chilblains. Itchy awful hands all winter. Tried a few kinds of gloves, but insulation doesn't work when there's no warmth to start with.

    But I'm trying something new, I recently acquired a pair of these: https://toastytouch.com/en-au/products/toasty-touch-heated-g… Thin, heated gloves for exactly this issue. Do they work? Yes, they have heating elements running down the back of each finger, plenty of juice. Can I type in them? Yes, I typed out this post with them on. It's not as easy as typing without gloves, but it's doable. The battery sits under the wrist, which can be a bit annoying. If you tried to use them all day you'd run out of battery, though I'm sure you could get extra batteries and swap back and forth.

    There's actually tons of different "thin heated glove liner" brands out there, but they're all overseas. I can only vouch for the ones I have, but I'm sure if you go digging you can find other good options. There are brands that let you charge without removing the battery first (which can be fiddly, but doesn't bother me) or have smart temperature control.

    It's not the perfect solution, but it's the best solution I've found so far.

    • tik tok on 10/08/2022 - 21:06

      Yep, got a pair. How awesome are they! Its a shame they didn't have extra batteries available to order when I bought the gloves. But so far, even for a couple of hours everyday (because the dang battery runs out in 3 hours of my use and then takes 3 hours to charge), they have been the only way I was able to get through the winter so far. Guess I can purchase extra batteries on ebay. But sooner or later the gloves will wear out - and if it happens middle of (next) winter then I am pretty much f-ed. So, atm interested in finding out other ways I can provide some heat to the fingers while working on the computer.

      • Serpentis on 10/08/2022 - 21:48
        +1

        A bunch of the other gloves use the exact same batteries, they're easy to find. Such as:
        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002034164193.html
        https://www.keepwarming.com/products/rechargeable-7-4v-2200m…
        .. and plenty more I'm sure.

        I have a reptile mat, though I haven't tried it for this purpose, it's too small. They do get pretty warm. I think those desktop heat mats combined with a basic pair of wool fingerless gloves might actually do the trick, I might buy a desktop heat mat and see how it goes.

      • Serpentis on 10/08/2022 - 21:56

        Also, the best fingerless gloves I've found for typing are ones like this: https://sweatersaustralia.com.au/collections/gloves/products… Warm, soft, comfy, breathable and no weird seams like the non-knitted kind. Them plus a heat mat.

        • tik tok on 11/08/2022 - 06:46

          I will try those fingerless gloves, thanks. Only tried the kmart ones so far and the finger sleeves kept sagging.
          Even though I have never used one, I am very sceptical a desktop heat mat might actually help me, unless the heat is sufficient enough to reach up to the fingers? I will be very interested to find out how you go with the heat mat please.

          • FLICKIT on 11/08/2022 - 12:36

            @tik tok: Heat rises, I imagine if you have the mat set at 50c or the likes the rising heat should create a nice little warm microclimate around your hands, your mouse and keyboard should warm up to around your set temperature…

            Since this seems to be quite a big issue for you it's probably worth spending the money to give a (semi-decent) mat a try…

            • tik tok on 11/08/2022 - 20:30

              @FLICKIT: Sounds nice. Happy to give this a go immediately. I have never had a heating mat. Any recommendations please? No budget really as this is now almost crucial for my sanity - happy to spend for a good product.

  • shutuptakemymoney101 on 11/08/2022 - 18:10

    Nomex flight gloves?

    https://downunderpilotshop.com.au/products/nomex-aviator-glo…

    If you get a good fit they should be nimble enough with perhaps a little adjusting to type in.

    • tik tok on 11/08/2022 - 20:33

      Thank you. I will do a bit more research on this. I also came across someone recommending equestrian leather gloves which retain heat and are surprisingly thin - so no loss of dexterity. I didn't pursue that option as, sadly enough, my fingers have no heat to retain :(

      • shutuptakemymoney101 on 11/08/2022 - 20:40
        +1

        If you have an aerodrome nearby one of the flight schools are probably selling them so you will likely get the opportunity to try them on first before purchasing. Good luck

  • Saron on 26/05/2023 - 21:29
    +1

    Reviving an old post. Also from Canberra, and have similar issues with my fingers and toes being cold at my work desk, and the same issues as OP with most solutions meaning a loss of dexterity or vast amounts of electricity used.

    I recently bought a ceramic heat lamp that's used for reptiles, to try out, and it's working pretty well so far. Went to the Reptiles Inc. in Kambah to get some advice on how hot these things get, and the guy was pretty helpful. Ended up getting the lowest wattage (22W) heat map with a dome. The dome is for providing the power (just screw your lamp inside it like a normal light fitting), it has an easy switch on it, and it protects the surroundings from the heat. Kinda like this. Cost about $50 for lamp + dome, but you could probably find it cheaper online.

    I was mainly looking to heat just my mouse hand (I do a lot of mousing), as I can wear a fingerless glove on the other hand that works OK. 22W is probably a tad too low for me though, and may get the next one up (~30W I think).

    Also bought a heated floor mat like this last year, at it's been great.

    • tik tok on 26/05/2023 - 22:30

      Thanks for posting. I will also post what I am doing in case it helps anyone else - this is such a problem for those who have it and sadly not a lot can be done. The GPs can offer nothing more than a steroid cream or calcium channel blockers.

      Are you able to post a pic of your lamp setup? Even via PM if you want - just after ideas of how to set it up. I couldn't quite imagine how I'd position the dome over my keyboard without it blocking my monitors. I have done more or less the same thing this winter. Got a 100W Ceramic heat lamp (50W wasn't enough at all), got a Cantilever Desk Lamp to go with it as I have a dual monitor setup and the lamp can sit on the side. Didn't think this was enough, so also got an Infrared therapy lamp with a big stand that hovers over my keyboard/mouse and turn it on occasionally when fingers cold up too much. Got a heating desk mat to sit under the keyboard and mouse. I always make sure I am sleeping under a heated blanket to avoid any potential issues as well. I really don't care about my power bill at this stage.

      Meds wise, started on a no flush niacin (to be honest, I dont find any difference between regular B3 and no flush B3) and a vitamin B1 course. Already take D3 and K2. Found another video by a famous dr on youtube which suggests drinking carbonated water helps oxygen reach extremities easier or something along those lines which theoretically should help with my raynauds in addition to the chilblains - so I am drinking a fair bit of carbonated water. My rheumatologist also suggested to start on a random course of felodipine (which is backed by other research papers I could read online. Last winter I was on a course of nifedipine which didn't help that much). Also read another research paper and since I don't have the medical wrappers to go above my elbow - got a long sock, filled it with rice, heat it up for a minute or so and tie it just above my elbow every couple of hours.

      I keep reading how important prevention is, so am pulling all stops this winter. See how I go. So far, so good, winter starts soon, thankfully it hasn't been that cold yet.

      • Buyer0fBargains on 05/05/2024 - 21:38

        Thank you for sharing an update. Every year my raynauds gets worse but this year I’m just losing my mind over it. I have tried just about everything on every raynauds treatment list and “hack” until I found this post and it gave me something I hadn’t heard before….. a heat lamp globe in a lamp! Now I’m off to find what I need to get this sorted tomorrow.

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