Is it OK to leave electronic gear in freezing temp
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Category: Other music related lounges
Forum Name: Tech Talk
Forum Description: Discuss musical instruments, equipment, hi-fi, speakers, vinyl, gadgets,etc.
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105757
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Topic: Is it OK to leave electronic gear in freezing temp
Posted By: brainstormer
Subject: Is it OK to leave electronic gear in freezing temp
Date Posted: February 04 2016 at 11:30
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I know they say leaving gadgets like cell phones and laptops in freezing temperatures is not good, but I am wondering about older electronics or just more simple modern electronics. It's true very recent synths might be closer to the electronics of cell phones, but what about 90s era ones? I'm talking about storing things in my attic, which has ventilation and therefore isn't that much different than the temperature outside. ------------- -- Robert Pearson Regenerative Music http://www.regenerativemusic.net Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net |
Replies:
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: February 04 2016 at 13:58
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It's the batteries that are affected by the freezing, most other "electronics' if they don't have batteries should be fine for storage. However, condensation can be a real issue as the temperature changes so beware of that. If you have the original packaging then maybe wrap that with a heavy blanket as a means of insulation. Adding desiccant packs are highly recommended. ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: pitfall
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 17:30
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As JD says, condensation and the resulting corrosion are the main problems, caused by large swings in temperature. From my experience, I'd say that the attic is not a good idea - too hot in summer, and too cold in winter.
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: February 07 2016 at 22:24
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That's pretty much it. Keep the moisture out and you can store things as cold as you like. [actually anything below freezing is fine as ice isn't a problem, it only becomes a problem when it melts] The actual electronic components themselves can tolerate a pretty wide storage temperature range, it's the LCD displays and all electro-mechanical components (anything that moves, such as switches and sliders) that tend to fail with long term storage. However, I'd only be concerned if your equipment had an LCD display and your attic went below the -20°C or above +60°C. Sealing the equipment in air-tight bags is a good idea, especially if you use a desiccant like silica gel. A few years ago practically everything you bought had a sachet of silica gel in the packaging but you don't see it so much now. You can bulk-buy sachets off eBay for a few dollars or you can be reuse old sachets by putting them in an oven at 120°C (240°F or Gas Mark ½) for a couple of hours to reactive them. The other thing to watch for is warping and discolouring of the plastic cases - here the high temperatures cause the most damage. Many of the plastics used can become brittle with age and high temperatures will accelerate that ageing. ------------- What? |
Posted By: brainstormer
Date Posted: February 14 2016 at 04:06
Thanks everyone!  ------------- -- Robert Pearson Regenerative Music http://www.regenerativemusic.net Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: February 14 2016 at 04:32
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areent electricity even more efficiant in cold temprature therfore mono rails are possible as super cooling makes electromagnitisme go all funky creats superconduction or something -------------  
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Posted By: pitfall
Date Posted: February 14 2016 at 13:50
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I'll try a bit of whatever medication you are on Icarium.
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Posted By: Flyingsod
Date Posted: March 19 2016 at 15:46
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Another issue is the capacitors. It's possible they could burst if frozen. The bigger problem with them though is if you power them while frozen they will act as a direct short and fry things. Most electronics are rather impervious to moisture while in a depowered state. As long as you let any condensation that does manage to infiltrate your gear dissipate before you power up it should be fine. Basically don't pull it out of the attic and power it up right away if its freezing or humid up there. let it sit in the house for a day first. On another note some capacitors don't age well while sitting around. Take that gear out once a year and power it up. ------------- This space intentionally left blank |