Protecting Your Kit During The Winter

[Norfolk DJ 0]

 

With the clocks going back :damn: today, it reminds me to ensure that all stored kit is well protected for the winter ahead.

 

I remember a couple of years ago, I stored some scanners in a shed and and everytime I used then the bulbs blew. Moved them indoors and no problems. You want to avoid hazardous damp gear and so on. Particular issues arise particularly with CD players which have been discussed on here in earlier threads.

[MintyDave 0]

I keep everything in the house apart from my speakers which are in the van - not ideal but at 2 am the last thing i need is carting them about.

 

Once did a gig and it was -8 outside. had to sit waiting for 2 hours before i could get in the venue which was very warm and humid. took nearly over half an hour for my cd players to work once i got them inside and all my cd's steamed up

[danger mouse 0]

couple of old sheets and carpet does the job if stored in a garage over yr gear.

[Paul's Karaoke 0]

Clocks back today....and there's me thinking it was 10 to 3.......Thanks for the thread......dinners early today now....lol

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

always carry a hairdryer for emergencies

 

open the drawer of your cd player, switch off the power and blow the hot air in, VOILA takes about 60 seconds to clear out the condensation!

[Norfolk DJ 0]

always carry a hairdryer for emergencies

 

open the drawer of your cd player, switch off the power and blow the hot air in, VOILA takes about 60 seconds to clear out the condensation!

 

Good tip!

[gadget 0]

101 uses for a hairdryer in a DJ environment ? Surely you should let all the equipment warm up a bit (like your mixer and amps)?

 

Cheers

 

David

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

well if by warming up, you mean switching on? This could be very bad, introducing electricity into something that has water inside of it!

[gadget 0]

well if by warming up, you mean switching on? This could be very bad, introducing electricity into something that has water inside of it!

 

heh, nah I meant get "accustomed" to the temperature change... Of course - depends if your equipment has been in a deep freeze beforehand or not!

 

 

[Spookspy 0]

Hi All

 

I bought 3 or 4 of those deep 12 Litre storage boxes from Wilkinson's and B & Q they have click down lids. However i don't have the luxury of a Shed or Garage so storage is a problem for me so I have to make use of my Attic space it can be the coldest place in the house once the Temp drops so fingers crossed my kit will ok

[McCardle 1]

I bought 3 or 4 of those deep 12 Litre storage boxes from Wilkinson's and B & Q they have click down lids.

 

Its generally damp and condensation which does more damage to delicate electronics, and eventually corrodes solder joints more readily than just plain old cold air. Sometimes putting stuff in plastic containers with sealed lids can actually increase the risk of condensation forming inside, due to lack of ventilation.

 

One way of protecting against this is to get a load of those little sachets of silica gel desiccant beads which you often find in sealed packaging for phones, shoes, electronics etc and put these in the bottom of each sealed container. These will soak up any moisture before it forms into condensation.

 

You can buy it on Ebay, either in its raw form or already in little sachets. Works out far cheaper than running heating or repairing moisture related damage to equipment.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silica-Gel-Dessi...g-/140688372885

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1g-x-100-Silica-...s-/380592142747

 

 

[bigMCben 0]

Or a small tub with long grain rice works as well, as is cheaper and easier to get.