Storing Equipment During Colder Periods

[Ecstatic Events]

:confused:

Hello All,

Very quick one, as this is my first winter with a rig. What's the deal with storing gear during the winter months - :cool:

All my equipment (rig) is stored in a garage next to my house.

However, I have previously been advised by another DJ NOT to store Speakers/Subs etc where they are susceptible to condensation/moisture (loading them into venues from the cold air etc) because of the potential damage this can cause to cones when pushing volume through them??? Is this advice nonsense?

Do any of you guys use Lockups/Garages??? Have you had any issues?

Thanks in advance

Mike

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

The Damp will KILL your Loudspeakers and Amplifiers!
dont do it
keep em indoors nice n warm
Loudspeakers are made of Paper they hate damp
Amplifiers have densly populated electronic boards
if they absorb moisture they go crackers!
I keep mine in a secure storage unit with heating

cheers

[csg]

do you have power in your lockup?

If so, then a thermostat controlled heater ( obviously a proper unit that can be run safely unattended) to keep the damp off, or a de-humidifying unit

If not, then you can buy desiccant powder that you can leave in trays or buckets that will absorb atmospheric moisture.

As regards electronics getting damp, well the worst thing is taking something from a cold environment into a warm one.

In this case, the cold item will often attract condensation from the warmer air surrounding it.

the trick in this case is simply to let things warm up to room temperature before they get turned on - ie set up everything before turning anything on.

I do a lot of long term ( 6 weeks) marquee work over the christmas period, and in that case, sensitive kit like dimmer racks, amplifier racks etc gets left on permanently, 24/7 to stop damp causing issues.

[Vectis]

Silica Gel is your friend. Dirty great bucket loads of the stuff.

If you can afford the stuff that changes colour when it's nadgered, so much the better.

[TonyB]

In the winter, my dining room becomes an equipment store (good excuse not to invite anyone for dinner).

Lights can also be damaged by condensation. I had one go bang where condensation had formed on the PSU board.

If you have no alternative but to keep the gear in the cold, you should make sure you get to the venue early and allow everything to warm up to room temperature before using. A hairdryer or fan heater can assist.

I do keep some speakers stored in the garage through the winter and never had a problem with them.

[Ecstatic Events]

Thanks for the replies so far :)

I had a sneaky suspicion there may be trouble ahead!

My Garage is built for a car so it will get VERY cold in there over the winter. I do have power so the heater may be an (expensive) option, cause no doubt I'll be heating the street!

Vectis, when you say Silica Gel, what am I supposed to do with this to help? (where would I put it?)

I'd rather not bring stuff into the house, but may have to it seems.

I'm assuming my kit is OK out there now (this time of year?) or should I be acting quickly to prevent any damage?

Thanks again :)

[Vectis]

Vectis, when you say Silica Gel, what am I supposed to do with this to help? (where would I put it?)


I buy various sized sachets and tuck them into all flightcases containing electronics, stuff them into the horns and ports of speakers, basically anywhere you can wedge one without forgetting to take it out again at gig time :D

[Ecstatic Events]

I buy various sized sachets and tuck them into all flightcases containing electronics, stuff them into the horns and ports of speakers, basically anywhere you can wedge one without forgetting to take it out again at gig time :D

And this is the solution? With no need to worry about my set up being stored in the Garage over winter?

:) :) :) :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I keep all my kit in safestore for 16 quid a week. One great advantage is in winter its kept at normal room temperture with no damp etc... and I dont have to foot the heating bill for it.

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

I really dont suggest stuffing Silica Gel into ANYTHING as after it absorbs
the moisture it becomes a wet soggy mess!
Ive seen military radio gear totally destroyed by people using the stuff.
Think about it it absorbs moisture just like a sponge
Not good
Better use Safestore (sounds like a bargain)
I used Easyspace for 4 years they were Brill!
Cheers