jim6918 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Ok, so I will admit now I am possibly worrying about everything, but we had a pretty good cold snap here last night and it got me to wondering (at 3 AM) how cold can controllers get and still function. I recognize that unlike a desktop or laptop, there are no mechanical functions of the controllers, and I would assume that some heat tends to be generated when the controller is actually operating, but obviously that's only about 6 hours a day or so. I have my controllers mounted inside a large Rubbermaid Deck Box, so they are somewhat protected from direct exposure to the elements. Has anybody considered extra precautions? The Farmer's Almanac is predicting colder than normal temps this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Jim,I don't know what the absolute lowest temperature the boards are rated for, but last year we had some significant below zero temperatures during December and I had no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mitchell Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 LOR has been tested on the surface of the Sun and the Moon. You will not have any problems here on Earth.Really, seriously...you don't have to worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmur007 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 It was -35 Celcius here last year and had no issues with the controllers at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 i built steel plates mounted them on 1" rebar 54" tall, mounted the controllors so they would be 1 ft above the ground, then constructed wooden boxes long enough to slide over the top so they would be out of the elements. in minnesota, jan & feb with wind chill it got down to - 45 below and i had no problems. i never shut them off either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Hey there Edge - where in Minnesota are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 wadena Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim6918 Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 Minnesota??? Isn't that land of frozen lutefisk? Ok, you convinced me, I live in the banana belt compared to you guys. Guess I should just stop worrying about every little thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 yeah - try using spt1 here, not good - i buy all my outdoor extension cords for the years of durability. speaking of Lutefisk - The Silver Bay Fishing Association is seeking a qualified inspector for its Lutefis Plant. Scandinavians are preferred because of their low job expectations. Please answer the following questions:Last Name:_______senFirst Name:___Ole ___Lars___Swen___ ArneAge if Known:___18-45___45-65___SeinleSpell LUTEFISK______________________Circle highest grade completed 1 2 3 4 5 How many years to do it?Work Experience:___ Deck hand___Apprentice Baiter___Ice Chisel Assistant___Herring Choker___Line Untangler___Anchor HoisterYour Address:___Under a Bridge___Culvert___Dead Winnebago___Cardboard Box___Ice House___Homeless ShelterEquipment you have operated:___Ball Point Pen___Bottle Opener___Evinrude___Flush ToiletHave you ever eaten Letefisk:_____If so, whick hospital pumped your stomach:_____In your own words ( no more than three), explain why you want this postion:____(The Norwegians-only policy is just between you and us) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medman2000 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Also in Minnesota - I've had my boxes in plastic bags one year, and last year in plastic storage boxes (with the snapping lids) - cut holes in the boxes for the cords to exit. No probs with the hardware at all! The Cat5 cable cracks/splits if I have to move them in the coldest weather, but the boxes are solid as solid can be (even when buried under 2-4 feet of snow). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Where in Minnesota Medman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleeaz Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Most electronic parts are rated from -40C to 85C and therefore should not be a problem in most areas. When running, the triacs on the boards will generate a little heat and that should help warm things up a bit inside the enclosure.I would guess that most everyone would not have any issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim6918 Posted December 9, 2009 Author Share Posted December 9, 2009 Well, when I worry too much I really go overboard.It was -16 here last night and predicted to be -12 tonight and everything is working great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulXmas Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Umm in Alberta it can go -35C or colder.This Sat it is going down to -32 C (-26 F).So I assume you should be fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acewarrior Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 No need for me to worry about the cold here.Was 35c (100f) the other day and the boxes didnt even feel warm....so the heat dosnt worry them either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basis21b Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Fourth year of having them out in Minnesota winters. Still running great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytrain83 Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Funny how when there's a thread about "cold", all the Minnesota members show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanward Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 I would be more worried about condensation than temps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightzilla Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Well if you want to add wind chill into the equation as will, then it dipped to (-55c) and that is like (-60F) and the controllers worked. A few nights ago the Edmonton international Airport had (-37c) or (-35F), oh and 2 of my controllers are buried under 2 feet of snow and the controllers still work. Now I removed about 1.5 feet of that snow off of the controllers.Of course we are Canadian and no nothing about this Minnesota cold you get in Minnesota, but we know how cold it gets here and for weeks in December last year it never got about ( -18F) during the day, but we got down to (-40F) for 3 days in a row, and if add the wind chill it was close to (-60F) as I said above.Right now we have been in a deep freeze for over 1 week and it is getting colder.Bottom line.....the controllers are still working.Of course once it gets to (0F) we will have are coats off or unbutton, then we get sick.lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanward Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Wow, I'm in Hawaii where the temps dip as low as the high 50s (F) at night, and get as cold as the low 80s (F) during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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