Storing your gear in a cold area.

[Victor Lazaro]

Is anyone storing their gear in a non heated garage? Is that ok to do? I know the batteries needs to be brought in a warm place, but would it damage my sled and arm to store it in an area that can get below freezing?

[Jarrett P. Morgan]

I would worry more about the humidity for the metal components. The temp could certainly mess with monitors and things with screens: too cold and the liquid freezes and cracks the screen.

 

I would shy against it. I have an external storage room that I keep my cart and stand in, but that is it.

[Chris Van Campen]

Yeah I would avoid it too unless absolutely necessary, or if you had a way to control humidity and condensation when the temp goes from cold to warm.

 

If everything's cased up and you warm up really slowly, you might be ok, as condensation *should* only form on the outermost layer, but still... kinda risky...

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Camera trucks are not heated at night. My storage space is not heated either. Ideal? Maybe not, but I wouldn't overly worry about it.

[chris fawcett]

Victor,

 

I agree with Alec and Chris, and would add that ventilation is A help in preventing condensation as the temperature drops. I've had camera gear at -40C (-40F) with no problems, so I also wouldn't overly worry.

 

All the best,

 

Chris

[RobinThwaites]

An aircraft hold can be very chilly and extending the period will not make much difference - except batteries of course. I would take batts and monitor inside to avoid damp and just keep a check on things like screws coming loose. I would be more worried about damp or warm damp conditions.

 

Robin

[RonBaldwin]

My gear was around my ex-wife for years and still functions perfectly. She lowered the ambient temps around her to about what Alec's garage is on a Feb night

[Victor Lazaro]

Thanks everyone for all you awesome answers! (Might I add that you guys were much more precise here than on Facebook, yet another proof that this forum has a real purpose vs the selfiebook group)

I already have a large electric dehumidifier that I will place in the room with the gear, that should take care of the moisture and might raise the temperature by a few degrees.

[Janice Arthur]

Victor

 

Here's my two cents worth.

 

If this is a typical garage with minimal insulation any dehumidifier is not going to do much, your pretty much dehumidifying the who world.

 

Second, I'd worry more about security; I've had more crew members put their gear in garage in a locked vehicle to save some time in the morning and it works for a while but there is always that moment when one morning it's gone. Audio guy, couple of camera guys had it happen in an urban/city world.

 

Unless there is some bigger inside cage and massive locks etc it may not be worth the risk. There is always someone checking out garages as they drive by so don't think gear will go unnoticed.

 

I often miss details but cold may affect LCDs and batts; not sure.

Good luck.

 

Janice

[Peter Kadar]

Hi Victor

 

Very good question, excellent answers! Thanks!

I had a situation yesterday where we shot outside in the cold, than hopped in a heated car, went to an other locations shot outside again back to the car and so on. Each time about half an hour in cold, 15 minutes in warm.

Camera and monitor worked perfectly, but a couple of screws came loose on my vest and a buckle fell off by the last shoot.

Must add that I didn't check on those screws the night before, since they always seemed pretty tight to me. (LX vest, load was not heavy)

 

Best,

Peter