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Any harm in leaving gear in the cold?

I use a Carver receiver and Pioneer six-disc player, along with some Mirage Oasis outdoor speakers, in a pool side system. The receiver and cd player reside in an enclosed, unheated shed. During the Canadian winters, the temperature can dip to well below zero. Since all components (integrated circuits, caps) are specified to operate 0C to 70C, and have a storage temperature of -40C to +85C, is there any harm in leaving the gear in the shed over the winter? If I unplug the stuff, any harm done?
jeffloistarca
john_l
782 posts
 
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.
j_k
234 posts
 
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.
lgregory
29 posts
 
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.
jeffloistarca OP
1,004 posts
 
Thanks guys, I'll haul the gear inside, the humidity arguement certainly has merit. Again, thank you Jeff
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