Cold storage

From: THETechnoid_at_home.com <(THETechnoid_at_home.com)>
Date: Sat Oct 21 20:25:53 2000

LGwalker's advice is right on the money.

Last winter I deinstalled a 9 track drive from a dry, unheated warehouse
in sub-zero centigrade conditions. I brought the drive home and left it
sit for several hours before installing it in my DG minicomputer.

The trick is as simple as the directions that come with most hard disks
and computers these days. Don't subject the device to any sharp change in
temperature and then try to operate it without letting it 'aclimate'.

I think that it is probably not good to store sensitive gear at
temperatures that humans can't exist in though. If you could wrap up and
live, then your gear is probably just fine as-is.

One thing that was not mentioned is static electricity. Just be careful.
Cold conditions and proper storage mean a high risk for electrostatic
discharge.

The other point that was made was a small heat source in the shed. That
sounds like a fantastic idea and wouldn't be too burdensome energy-wise. A
single 100 watt lightbulb produces as much heat as three humans properly
weatherized. If you have ever cuddled up next to a human, you know that's
a lot of heat. ;-) I'd bother only if the temperatures got WAY below
freezing. At very low temperatures, the lubricants used in drive motors
and such might be negatively affected as might batteries, and flexible
materials such as rubber or latex. I know this from maintaning vehicles in
the Seabees. Some lubricants turn to slush at extremely low temperatures.
Even Gasoline will freeze. In Alaska, we would leave a drop-light inside
the engine compartment of a vehicle to prevent the oil from freezing.

As with my 30 year old BMW motorcycle, it is a good idea to perform
preventative maintainence post-storage prior to use. Check all bearings
to make sure they are free etc. I love that bike. Chrissy wants me to
sell it and buy a new(er) one, but I say 'over my dead body'. I'll get a
newer bike, but not by selling my baby Beemer.

Regards,

Jeff

-- 
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Jeffrey S. Worley
President
Complete Computer Services, Inc.
30 Greenwood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
828-277-5959
THETechnoid_at_home.com
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Received on Sat Oct 21 2000 - 20:25:53 BST

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