Effect of Summer Heat on Controllers

[jim6918]

Last Winter I asked the question of what the effect extreme cold would have on controllers. The general consensus (aside from which is colder; Minnesota or Alberta Canada) was that the controllers are not effected by temperature.

I have my controllers mounted in a large Rubbermaid Deck Box on the side on my house. With the summer heat already approaching 100 F, I am concerned again about the controllers getting too hot and perhaps damaging delicate parts. I have the controllers mounted to a plywood panel inside the box, and it would not be a big deal to remove, although I really don't have any other place to store them. I have two rented storage units, but there's no shortage of heat in them either. The deck box is in the shade most of the day, but I still get nervous about crazy things like this.

Any thoughts from the LOR experts here?

What do you guys in Arizona or other hotter climates do?


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[Anthony in Houston]

All of mine stay in the attic with no problems.

Anthony

[Dave Batzdorf]

I have mine stashed in a crate in the top of the garage. Probably 90+ there. I wouldn't see any problem with the heat issue and storage.

[iresq]

In a simple storage environment, I don't think you have much concern (I'd be more concerned about insects, etc) for the temperatures reached in your deck box.

[ErnieHorning]

As part of my day job, I test circuit boards to the failure point (HALT testing if anyone is curious). I crank up the temperature until it stops functioning and then go higher and see if it still works when I lower the temperature back down. Nothing has ever failed to operate at less than 300˚F. Permanent destruction occurs between 300-400˚F.

All commercial parts are rated to function at up 160˚F so 100˚F is nothing.

BTW, I’ve gone as low as -150˚F (liquid nitrogen) and no damage. Typically microprocessors stop running at about -100˚F but start right up when brought back above this point.

Electronic circuitry is a lot more rugged then people think. You beat this stuff up more in your car than you will in an outdoor storage box.

[jim6918]

ErnieHorning wrote:

As part of my day job, I test circuit boards to the failure point (HALT testing if anyone is curious). I crank up the temperature until it stops functioning and then go higher and see if it still works when I lower the temperature back down. Nothing has ever failed to operate at less than 300˚F. Permanent destruction occurs between 300-400˚F.

All commercial parts are rated to function at up 160˚F so 100˚F is nothing.

BTW, I’ve gone as low as -150˚F (liquid nitrogen) and no damage. Typically microprocessors stop running at about -100˚F but start right up when brought back above this point.

Electronic circuitry is a lot more rugged then people think. You beat this stuff up more in your car than you will in an outdoor storage box.

Ahhhh Yes!! This is exactly the expert opinion I was looking for. Thanks. Hadn't thought of the comparison with an automobile. I am sure there are lots more sensitive electronics under the hood than a controller, with higher temperatures.