Any harm in leaving gear in the cold?

Hi Jeff; I can identify with the "cold/hot" issue as I grew up in North Dakota-- not too far from Winnepeg. I've not had actual experience with a situation like you describe, but I think the worst problem could be repeated heating and cooling with potential moisture condensation in the equipment, and then freezing and thawing of the moisture-- depending on humidity of course. Some equipment manufacturers recommend their gear be used within certain humidity ranges. The potential for corrosion would also be increased in this scenario (IMO). It seems to me this is especially important with computers. If the components were kept cold for a long period of time and then gradually warmed up, I suspect they would be fine. I didn't think Canada had any swimming pools-- North Dakota doesn't:). Good Luck. Craig.

I agree with Craig. Any precision instrument should not be allowed to experience such extremes of temperature. Materials contract and expand based on temperatures and condensation can form in unconditioned environments. This expansion and contraction can damage components.

I agree with the above -- unhook the equipment and put it inside your house (temp controlled environment). Condensation can cause corrosion, and over time it will cause your gear to fail early -- probably volume pots will go first, if something doesn't short inside the gear. Being an engineer, I used to do highly accelerated life testing, and condensation can cause much harm, even if the circuit is not energized.

I MUST MAKE THE AGREEMENT WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT I DO HAVE A FRIEND WITH A SWIMMING POOL IN GRAND FORKS, ND. EVERY MANUFACTURER WILL WARN YOU IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT OPERATING TEMPERATURES OF THEIR EQUIPMENT REGARDING HEAT AND PROPER VENTILATION. WHY WOULD COLD BE ANY DIFFERENT? YOU DID NOT SAY IF THE EQUIPMENT WAS TUBE OR TRANSISTOR BASED BUT I WOULD NOT THINK IT WOULD MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE EXCEPT THAT TUBE WOULD PROBABLY DIE QUICKER AND SHOW CORROSION FASTER.

Thanks guys, I'll haul the gear inside, the humidity arguement certainly has merit. Again, thank you Jeff