Do you ever store your gear in the cold?

[jmpatrick]

OK, so it's 3 in the morning and you pull in the garage after the gig. It's cold outside...but a little warmer in the garage (maybe 35 degrees). Is it safe to leave your gear locked in the van? I've always pulled the amp and guitar, but what about the speaker cab and rack electronics? What about the amp?

jp

 

[MarkPurney]

Radical changes in temperature and humidity could potentially pose a problem for speakers, but most likely you'll be okay leaving them outside. Just let them warm up to room temperature before you start to use them.

Other electronics and gear should be fine to leave outside, especially if stored inside of a good rack or other case. The case will allow the equipment to come back up to room temperature more slowly and protect the equipment inside against condensation.

 

[jmpatrick]

Thanks Mark.

 

[Dasein]

It's especially nice of you to leave your gear in your Van in your garage so the thief doesn't have to load all the gear into his vehicle --- with a turn of the screwdriver (about 30 seconds from entry to exit in your garage) he can be driving off with all your gear while you are still running naked down the stairs from your bedroom to see what the hell is going on.

It only takes one time to lose it all.

 

[jmpatrick]

It's especially nice of you to leave your gear in your Van in your garage so the thief doesn't have to load all the gear into his vehicle --- with a turn of the screwdriver (about 30 seconds from entry to exit in your garage) he can be driving off with all your gear while you are still running naked down the stairs from your bedroom to see what the hell is going on.

It only takes one time to lose it all.

The van is locked with an alarm system, and the garage is locked with an alarm system. The only one stealing my stuff is my wife.

jp

 

[screamingdaisy]

The way I see it, heating and cooling your gear is harder on it that just leaving it out in the cold. So long as you don't try to fire it up while it's still frozen everything should be fine. Just let the amp warm up a bit when brought inside and leave the tube heaters running a little longer than normal before you light your amp up.

 

[LarryN]

Steve Kimock, who was very involved with Mike Bendinelli with his gear, said that you shouldn't let your equipment be anywhere you wouldn't be comfortable. Speakers absorb moisture and electronics degrade from corrosion. As a builder of guitars and amps, I've seen many examples of instruments that were left in cars, etc. Amps aren't as obvious, but there is a toll taken when moisture gets into electronics, etc. I usually come home from a gig, take a short rest and maybe a snack, then get the stuff out of the van, even though I'm dead tired. I love what my gear does for me and I'm willing to return the favor. I guess it's up to the individual and how much energy they'll put into keeping their equipment in optimum condition. It'd be interesting to read the moisture level in a vehicle in a garage, just to see if it's actually dry enough. I only have a carport, so I don't leave anything out.

 

[jmpatrick]

Sounds like good advice. I think I'll check the temps in the car one night...

Thanks to all..

jp

 

[BPski]

I read once in an article that said do not store your gear any place you wouldn't sleep. So unless you are part eskimo I would get everything in at least a 60 degree environment.

 

[screamingdaisy]

Steve Kimock, who was very involved with Mike Bendinelli with his gear, said that you shouldn't let your equipment be anywhere you wouldn't be comfortable. Speakers absorb moisture and electronics degrade from corrosion. As a builder of guitars and amps, I've seen many examples of instruments that were left in cars, etc. Amps aren't as obvious, but there is a toll taken when moisture gets into electronics, etc. I usually come home from a gig, take a short rest and maybe a snack, then get the stuff out of the van, even though I'm dead tired. I love what my gear does for me and I'm willing to return the favor. I guess it's up to the individual and how much energy they'll put into keeping their equipment in optimum condition. It'd be interesting to read the moisture level in a vehicle in a garage, just to see if it's actually dry enough. I only have a carport, so I don't leave anything out.

When left outside in the cold the moisture is frozen, but when you bring it in the moisture melts.

When you continually warm and cool something like that, your exposing something to more moisture than if you just left it outside in the cold.

But I'm talking Canadian winters here.....if you're version of cold means "barely cold enough to keep snow on the ground" and/or you live in a high humidity environment, then please ignore what I'm saying.


Oh, and P.S. - I'm not advocating leaving your amp outside on a permanant basis.....just saying that there's no need to worry if you leave it in a car overnight (or nights if you're on a tour).