Papa6058 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I am thinking about putting my desktop that runs the show in the garage. Does anyone is areas where it gets cold and rains, ices, and snows run their shows from the garage? I know it is bad to startup a freezing computer, but what if it stays on? Any advice is great. If you could post a pic of your system and where it is that would be great. Papa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reitan_family Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I've taken the last year off, but I've a PC in the garage for five plus years with no issue. Her in the pacific northwest it's not too cold but I do like how easy it is just like right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitePlainsNY Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Why would you place the desktop in the garage when you could put it in your house? Moisture isn't kind to PCs. You have a maximum distance of 4000 feet between the PC and the first controller. I keep mine in the attic where it's toasty warm when I need to adjust something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeERWNC Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) 4000 feet might be a slight exaggeration.300 feet to be safe using CAT5 or CAT6 without a repeater. I have a laptop in the garage which runs my show.My garage stays above 50*. The cat lives there in the winter time. Edited October 12, 2014 by MikeERWNC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 4000 feet might be a slight exaggeration.300 feet to be safe using CAT5 or CAT6 without a repeater. I have a laptop in the garage which runs my show.My garage stays above 50*. The cat lives there in the winter time.Actually Mike, 4000 is what it says in the white papers on RS-485. Now in the real world it might be more like 3000' before a repeater. Just cause we are using Cat5 cable. Do not confuse it with Ethernet protocol. Which is 100 meters without the use of a Switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa6058 Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 No room in the house, and I am guessing we have VERY different attics Papa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwertz Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 We've had the same PC in the garage since 2007. I turn it on at the start of the Halloween show and turn it off after New Years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 another note. the problem is when you have something that is cold and bring it into a warm moist location like your house. This is when dew can form on things. Now if you run your computer is running and warm, it could repel the formation of dew inside of it. I would be worried about an LCD display might freeze if it gets to cold. Maybe cover it with a box twice as big as the computer to hold in some heat. Just have to remember to take it off when it gets warmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrant Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I run mine from inside the house but I use ELL's to run with wireless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeyelights Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I run our show from a laptop in the garage. Yes it gets cold in there as the garage windows are cracked about 2" to run cords and cables out to the yard. No problems what-so-ever with doing that. Well except the wife complains how cold it is in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa6058 Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Thank you all for your input. I think I will have to try it ..... I will back up everything twice! Papa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince4xmas Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Buy a show director and use SD card. Works well.PC stays inside for programming only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liberty-Laser Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I went through 2 laptops in my garage last year. Both later worked after being inside for a couple days. This year I am running 2 Cat5 cables from my basement "Command Center" (office) across the basement and up into the garage (65'). Now I have to secure & configure a 2nd NIC card.Buy a show director and use SD card. Works well.PC stays inside for programming only. I loved when this solution applied, but once you have Pixels, you can sell that device as it has no chance of running your show any longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince4xmas Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Liberty, what pixels are you referencing?I run RGB with dumb pixels using LOR show director. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa6058 Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Buy a show director and use SD card. Works well.PC stays inside for programming only. Just don't have the budget for that this year. This is the first year I have not added anything, not one light Papa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrant Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I'm going to run pixels this year too but along with the ELL's for the RS485 buss to the AC controllers, I'll be running a wireless N-Bridge to an N-router in the garage which will then CAT6 to the controller in the yard. The only computer item in the garage will be the router. I've already tested it for working and so far, all appears ready to run, once its all out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpha9c Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 I have a large crawl space, that should have been a finished basement.. My pc is setup in the corner, and I installed a 4" PVC pipe to run all my cable out of. Pc stays on so I am able to remote to the pc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santas Helper Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 I run my laptop in the garage. been doing it for years with no problems. I leave it on 24/7.Since we are in the same neighborhood (state), at least you & I can relate to the same weather. The reason I run mine in the garage is because I have controllers in the garage and attic, then just run a cat5 under the garage door to the controllers outside. No leaving windows cracked open or drilling holes in walls. The garage door has the rubber seal at the bottom so no damage to the cat5 cable.I don't put mine in the attic because if I want to make changes or tweek sequences, it's right there. Make a change and step outside to check it out. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liberty-Laser Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Liberty, what pixels are you referencing?I run RGB with dumb pixels using LOR show director. I have smart pixels with P12R Controller (E1.31) - has to be run directly form the computer's NIC. I also had the LOR Ribbons a couple years ago & they would not run from the SD card either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackchecker Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 I run my desktop from my garage all the time...In fact, it stays in the garage year round and has never had a problem. When showtime comes, it stays running 24hours a day/7 days a week till after newyears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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