Computer Storage

From: Christian Fandt <cfandt_at_netsync.net>
Date: Tue Apr 13 09:21:44 1999

Upon the date 09:32 AM 4/13/99 +0100, Philip.Belben_at_powertech.co.uk said
something like:
>
>
>Dear All
>
>I am thinking of renting a building in which to store my computer collection,
>together with that of a friend who has gone to Canada [Bob Manners, for P850UG
>people]. The building is very simply constructed - single brick walls and
>sheet
>asbestos roof - and currently has no supply of electricity or gas, but appears
>fairly dry (at least at present).
>
>Do people on either of the two lists have suggestions for:
>
>What precautions should I take in storing computers here?
>
>Do I need to insulate / heat the building?

By golly, this would be best! But at what co$t?

>
>Should I install a dehumidifier (I think I can get hold of one)?

Yes. During the periods in the Spring and Fall when the temperature swings
between 0 and about 15 Celsius, condensation is more prone to gather on
cool surfaces. You've probably heard of this in regard to switchgear design
at your job. This condition is aggravated when it is/has been raining or
the humidity is otherwise high. I don't know what UK region you are in but
I'm sure the present interior conditions of that building are somewhat
similar to my area.

This is the problem I have here in Jamestown (just east of Lake Erie of the
Great Lakes region). I have to use our two unheated garages to store
computer gear, but only temporarily as a big bunch is heading to Calif. in
May/June and other items will be stuffed into the house or sold. (And I
still have to settle on an economical cost plan to handle storage of the
remaining parts of the collection and other stuff still in our old house. I
must clean it out ASAP so it can get sold)

Parts of my military radio collection are okay in the garages as those
items have been "tropicallized" and otherwise designed for such condx.

I must have a dehumidifier in the basement of the house during the hot,
humid summers here. Tools and unpainted/unplated metal surfaces will rust
or corrode. However dampness is not much of a problem in the garages then.

During the coldest parts of our winter it is usually always below freezing
so condensation is not much of a problem in the garages. The RH of the air
is rather low too.

>
>Do I need (for example) to wrap each computer up in plastic with a packet of
>silica gel?

I think the gel would have to be replaced often if conditions are quite
moist. Wrapping tightly in plastic could help but it will still "breath"
some damp air through the many little paths between folds and layers. The
clich? conditions we Yanks hear of over there is that is often foggy and
cool in the UK. I suppose it depends greatly upon the exact location on the
Islands whether the dampness is prevalent or not.

>
>The rent is very cheap - L2 (about $3.30) per square foot per year, and the
>building is only 10 min walk from my house. With luck, this will mean that I
>shall soon have a house with room for me as well as my junk...

One additional important thing is to prevent any varmints from building
homes in the gear and storage boxes. Mice, chipmunks and squirrels have
invaded boxes and equipment in both of my garages. Not too much fun to
clean out :( I've got a Havaheart live trap which I use to catch them and
I haul them out of town to another forest (away from any bus or taxi stops
so they can't get back home! <g> ;)

Good luck.

Regards, Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt_at_netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
        URL: http://www.ggw.org/awa
Received on Tue Apr 13 1999 - 09:21:44 BST

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