Effect of low temperatures on AV equipment.

[cliffster]

Evenin' all.

I've got a nice big conservatory that will be perfect for chilling out in with a Blu-ray or some music come the summer! [🙂]

However, as it has a polycarbonate roof it's liable to get awfully cold in there if ( when [🙁] ) we get another cold winter, so what would be the effect, if any of sub zero temperatures on aTv, Blu-ray player and mini hi-fi system.

Oh yeah, I know that damp is a no-no but it is all sealed up and there isn't any condensation.

Thanks in advance.

Cliff.

 

[Anonymous]

The manuals with your equipment should give you that answer. In the case of my accursed Blue Ray player the minimum is +5C.

Edit: The effect, by the way, is that things don't work. Manufacturers usually allow a fair amount of latitude, but I can tell you from experience that most set top boxes and DVD players have given up the ghost by -20C.

 

[cliffster]

Thanks Grotty! but I think you may have misunderstood me.

I realise that AV stuff stops working when it gets cold but as I have no desire to sit watching blade runner in a freezing conservatory mid December I can't see that being a problem.

What I meant was would it be safe to leave the equipment in there year round, or does it need to 'come in from the cold'

Thanks.

Cliff.

 

[Anonymous]

you would have to measure how cold it go in there.

i personally wouldnt leave it out there

 

[Cofnchtr]

Hi,

Don't you have a heated conservatory? If the heating is set to the same level as the rest of the house, the equipment won't mind being out there?

Cheers,

Cofnchtr.

 

[chudleighpaul]

In the summer high temperatures would also affect your gear. DVD players do not like very high temperatures, so I would imagine BluRay players would be no different.

 

[cliffster]

Already thought about heating conservatory, but afore mentioned polycarbonate would let the heat straight out again. ( costly + global warming

)

If the temp drops to, say zero whilst the gear is powered off and then rises to normal again before it is all turned back on, would this cause any damage?

Thanks.

Cliff.

 

[chebby]

You might end up with condensation inside the boxes. (Cool air coming through vents and hitting components that are still a bit warm hours after power-off.)

 

[cliffster]

Got that Chebby.

What I am intending is to turn off all the gear on the last decent day of summer. Then turn it all on again on the first decent day of spring.

Don't really want to disassemble everything and find storage space inside the house.

So, does anyone know if a prolonged period of cold will have a detrimental effect on dormant AV equipment ?

Please ! ! !

Thanks.

Cliff.

 

[Anonymous]

it may have an effect on any plastics used for bearings and gromets, drive bands etc, (shrinkage) and wear on fluid motor bearings. condensation should not be a problem as it is non-conductive unless contaminated but can cause a reaction with soldered parts.

i would only worry about beasties hiding in the nice cosy cases over winter.