Steam Controller Charging Puck Short-Circuits with Pixel Watch Band, Near Fire
A Reddit user reported a near-fire incident when the metal band of a Google Pixel Watch 3/4 magnetically attached to the exposed pogo pins of Valve’s Steam Controller charging puck, causing an electrical short circuit, sparks, and burn marks. The user separated the items before a fire started. The incident highlights a design flaw in the puck’s exposed conductive pins, which can attract metallic objects and pose a fire risk, occurring less than a month after the Steam Controller’s launch.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Steam Controller Charging Puck Nearly Catches Fire After Contact with Pixel Watch 3 Wristband
A Steam Controller owner reported a near-fire incident when the magnetic charging puck for the Steam Controller came into contact with a metal wristband from a Pixel Watch 3. The puck's exposed pogo pins magnetically attracted the watch band, causing an electrical short circuit that produced sparks and heat. The user, posting on Reddit's SteamController subreddit, managed to separate the items before a fire started, but the puck and wristband sustained cosmetic burn damage. The incident highlights a design flaw in the Steam Controller's charging puck, where exposed conductive pins can arc electricity when contacting metallic objects. The article notes this occurred less than a month after the Steam Controller's launch, raising safety concerns about the charger's exposed contacts.
Latest from Tom's HardwareSteam Controller Charging Puck Nearly Catches Fire After Contact with Pixel Watch 3 Wristband
A Steam Controller owner reported a near-fire incident involving the device's magnetic charging puck and a Google Pixel Watch 3. According to a Reddit post on the SteamController subreddit, the puck's exposed pogo pins magnetically attracted the metal wristband of a Pixel Watch 3 being charged nearby. This caused a short circuit, arcing electricity, and heating that left burn marks on both the charging puck and the watch band. The user intervened before a fire could start. The incident highlights a potential design flaw in the Steam Controller's charging puck, where exposed conductive pins can easily connect with metallic objects due to the strong magnets, posing a fire risk.
Latest from Tom's HardwareSteam Controller Charging Puck Nearly Catches Fire After Contact with Pixel Watch 3 Wristband
A Steam Controller owner reported a near-fire incident involving the device's magnetic charging puck and a Google Pixel Watch 3. According to a Reddit post on the SteamController subreddit, the puck's exposed pogo pins arced electricity after the metal wristband of a Pixel Watch 3, which was being charged nearby, magnetically attached to the charger. This caused a short circuit and generated sparks and heat. The user was able to remove the wristband before a fire started, but the incident left burn marks on both the charging puck and the watch band. The article highlights a design oversight in the Steam Controller's charging puck, noting that the exposed pogo pins can conduct electricity to foreign metallic objects, posing a fire risk when placed near metal accessories.
Latest from Tom's HardwareSteam Controller Charging Puck Nearly Catches Fire After Contact with Pixel Watch 3 Metal Wristband
A Steam Controller owner reported a near-fire incident when the magnetic charging puck for the Steam Controller attracted the metal wristband of a Google Pixel Watch 3. The exposed pogo pins on the puck made contact with the metallic band, causing an electrical short circuit and arcing sparks. The user, identified as Redditor Toikka on the SteamController subreddit, managed to separate the devices before a fire started, but the puck and wristband sustained cosmetic burn damage. The incident highlights a potential design flaw in the Steam Controller's charging puck, where exposed conductive pins can magnetically attract foreign metal objects, posing a fire risk. The article notes this occurred less than a month after the Steam Controller's launch.
Latest from Tom's HardwarePixel Watch band short-circuits Steam Controller charging puck, nearly causes fire
A Reddit user narrowly avoided a fire when the metal band of their Google Pixel Watch 4 accidentally touched the exposed charging pins of Valve's Steam Controller Puck, creating a short circuit that caused sizzling and visible damage. The incident highlights a safety design concern with the Puck, which Valve's manual warns to keep away from metallic objects to prevent sparks. The user took full blame, but commenters noted that the design could be safer by requiring a handshake before power delivery. The article serves as a public safety reminder for owners of the newly released Steam Controller and similar charging accessories.
Android Authority