Frequently Asked Questions
Who is PHONEDRS?
PHONEDRS is a product from Ear Technology Corporation, a company founded in 1992 by Daniel R. Schumaier, Ph.D. Dr. Schumaier is an entrepreneur and inventor, with more than 200 patents. We have been making drying and sanitizing solutions for hearing-related products since the early 1990s, and customers have benefited from our knowledge in this area. The use of UV-C as a sanitizer has been a part of our products since the beginning, and for years we were the largest distributor of UV-C related products in the U.S. We are now extending that knowledge and capability to the mobile phone market.
Why do people need a phone sanitizer?
You’ve probably heard it or read it before – your mobile phone is likely one of the dirtiest devices you use. Studies have shown that your phone can be 18 times dirtier than a public toilet! Think about how many times per day you handle your phone and how many different surfaces it is in contact with. Keeping it clean has always been a good idea and has become more important now.
Daniel Schumaier, Ph.D.
Ear Technology Corporation
Why do people need a phone dryer?
Moisture is consistently one of the top five leading causes of damage to mobile phone electronics and can cause intermittent-to-catastrophic failures. Moisture, even in the form of water vapor, finds its way into the smallest areas of mobile phone electronics, causing corrosion. Condensation resulting from moving between cold and warm environments is also an issue. Sweat is another destructive form of moisture, with additional corrosive effects from the salt element within it. Last, but not least, is the fact that many mobile phones are accidentally immersed in water. With PHONEDRS, you can throw out that old bag of rice…and use a much more sophisticated and effective approach.
What makes PHONEDRS different?
There are other solutions available that sanitize your phone, but PHONEDRS stands out in several important ways. The first is in our innovative combination of sanitizing, drying, and charging – a maintenance system for your phone. The other element is the fact that we have been in the business of providing sanitizing and drying solutions for more than 25 years. So, before you trust your phone – one of the most important and relied-upon products in your life – to a device that cares for it, ask yourself “Do they really know what they are doing?”
Will PHONEDRS clean fingerprints off my phone?
The UV-C lamps inside PHONEDRS reduce 99.9% of bacteria*. PHONEDRS does not clean fingerprints and dirt from your phone. We recommend wiping your phone with a cleansing wipe safe for electronics prior to placing your phone in PHONEDRS.
What is the red-orange light I see when I connect power to PHONEDRS
When power is connected to the PHONEDRS, the LED indicator on the front glows red-orange briefly, indicating the unit is powered. The light will go out within two seconds, and the unit will remain in standby mode until a cycle is started.
Compare the Models
Take a look at this chart to see how the models of PHONEDRS compare to each other.
How does UV-C sanitization work?
As one of the foremost experts for the last 20+ years in product sanitization, we have the experience and expertise to bring you a device with effective UV-C capabilities. PHONEDRS uses two high-intensity 50mm linear (253.7nm) UV-C lamps which provide a 99.9% reduction rate of bacteria*.
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* Reduces 99.9% of bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus Aureus
How does the dryer function work?
Heat and moving air are the two primary elements of drying. Heat is needed to break the surface tension of water molecules and release them from the product. Airflow is important to move the water molecules out of small environments. PHONEDRS incorporates both heat and airflow to remove water molecules during our six-hour drying process and help to keep your phone performing at its best. One important note is that mobile phones contain lithium-polymer batteries, which do not tolerate high heat. Most lithium-polymer battery manufacturers recommend that the batteries should not be exposed to high temperatures. PHONEDRS uses precisely controlled circuitry to ensure that the heat is sufficient to enable the drying process while never becoming an issue for the lithium-polymer batteries in the phone.
Results? Our patented DryMax® drying process used in the PHONEDRS removes about 20 drops of water per each drying cycle. (that’s about 1/3 of a bottle cap). By removing moisture, costly repairs are reduced (studies have shown that our drying process reduces the need for repair by almost 70%). PHONEDRS also helps to improve the fidelity of the audio in your phone and other audio devices through the simple act of drying each night. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Will PHONEDRS dry my phone if I dropped it into water?
While it is not specifically designed to dry out electronics that have been submerged in water or left out in the rain, we do know that it will dry electronics much more efficiently than placing it into a bag of rice. We’d suggest you do the following if your phone or electronics become soaked.
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- Rigorously shake the phone so as much water will come out of the device as possible before starting the drying process.
- Dry off any excess with a dry cloth.
- Do NOT charge your phone before drying.
–If you have the Q10 (or the U10 with added charging mat), you will need to set the phone down on something to ensure it is at least 1″ above the charging pad/charging mat like a stack of coasters or small rectangular box.
–Ensure that your PHONEDRS is on a stable surface so it won’t be knocked over and accidentally begin charging.
- Run the PHONEDRS as normal multiple times as necessary. Each 6-hour cycle will remove about 20 drops of water so we recommend at least two or three 6-hour cycles before you try to power the phone on or off.
- Most phones are water-resistant and will have a good chance of functioning normally depending on the extent of liquid damage it has.
What comes in the box?
PHONEDRS Q10
- PHONEDRS Q10 unit
- Power adapter
- Quick start guide
PHONEDRS U10
- PHONEDRS U10 unit
- Power adapter
- Quick start guide
What do I do if I need help?
Top class customer support has been at the core of all Ear Technology products since the early 1990s.
You can rest easy with your purchase knowing that:
- All PHONEDRS models come with a one-year warranty. If you register your product online, you’ll get an additional one-year warranty!
- US-based customer care and technical support are offered for all PHONEDRS products.
- The support lines 1-844-368-7905 are open from 8am to 5pm ET, Monday-Friday
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