Outdoor Computer

rashly · 04-08-02, 08:06 PM

ok, here's my situation:
I have a computer that will be running 24/7 as a server for the internet.(pentium w/mmx 166@200). even though it only has 2 fans running on it, i have no place to put it and the little noise that it does generate will be intolerable(sp?).

now, i do have a place for it in my garage. i live in ny, so my temp can get anywhere from 105 down to 0, and the humidity in there can get pretty high too (not to the point of beads of water though).

now, im asking if it will be safe to run it from in there? i mean, there is basically the temp and humidity factor that im concerned about. what are your reccomendations? thanks.

The Modfather · 04-08-02, 08:18 PM

I been kinda wondering the same thing myself!!!

I know when I buy certain things that are made of metal (firearms, air rifles, knives, etc..) they come packed w/ these little things called Silica Gel or sumthin....supposedly prevents or helps to prevent the effects of humidity.

I wonder if you put enough of the magic "Do Not Eat This" stuff w/ your PC if that would prevent the ill-effects of humidity.

Just random thoughts....sorry that I wasn't much help....

MF

peppy · 04-08-02, 11:42 PM

so thats what that stuff does, man i always wondered that my whole life, now it is complete

Diggrr · 04-09-02, 02:00 AM

Condensation forms on a surface when it is colder than the dewpoint. Dewpoint is at or below ambient temperature.
Today my dewpoint is 8C degrees, so the computer would need to be below that to condense vapor to liquid on it's surfaces...good luck getting that eh?

A computer (running or not) will be equal to or warmer than ambient, (guaranteed warmer if it's always on) so there's no way for condensation to form.

The only time condensation could form is when you bring that chilly computer back inside the house (cold surface in warm, humid house). I wouldn't recommend running it for a while if you had to bring it into the house in the winter time when it's circuits or it's case are chilly.

Have fun!

rashly · 04-09-02, 11:39 AM

ok, thanks alot. i think its gonna be a go!

oh, and are those gel things the same ones that come in shoeboxes? ill have to put a few in there. heh.

Krieger · 04-09-02, 03:20 PM

yeah it's the same thing you find in the little packets with shoes. I would not open it though just put a few little packets in there.

Fink · 04-09-02, 03:22 PM

I run a server in my garage. Most of the summer it is well over 110F down there and it runs with little problem. Of course, it rarely gets below freezing around here and condensation is never a problem.

Don't put a package of silica gel in your computer. Those tiny packages only soak up a miniscule amount of water and are really only useful in sealed containers.

ColdMiser · 04-09-02, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fink

Don't put a package of silica gel in your computer. Those tiny packages only soak up a miniscule amount of water and are really only useful in sealed containers.

Fink is absolutely right. Silica is a dessicant, meaning it absorbs moisture, but is not effective in open atmosphere applications. It would quickly become saturated. They are included in shoeboxes and gun cabinets because those are confined spaces. I don't think there is any sensible application of dessicant packs in an operating computer.

Now if you want to get crazy you could seal the whole darned tower in a box with a refrigeration system. Better yet, empty your garage of everything in it, brick up the garage door, install an industrial AC unit on the roof, get a few OC-48 lines, a few dozen servers, and start your own hosting company!! (Then give me free storage and bandwidth for giving you this FABULOUS idea

)

Fink · 04-10-02, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ColdMiser
[B]

Fink is absolutely right. Silica is a dessicant, meaning it absorbs moisture, but is not effective in open atmosphere applications. It would quickly become saturated. They are included in shoeboxes and gun cabinets because those are confined spaces. I don't think there is any sensible application of dessicant packs in an operating computer.

See, I did learn somthing getting my Ph.D.! lol Now if I could find a job.....

rashly · 04-10-02, 07:51 AM

heh, i was just kidding about that gel thing.

04-08-02, 08:06 PM	Thread Starter #1
rashly Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NY	Outdoor Computer ok, here's my situation: I have a computer that will be running 24/7 as a server for the internet.(pentium w/mmx 166@200). even though it only has 2 fans running on it, i have no place to put it and the little noise that it does generate will be intolerable(sp?). now, i do have a place for it in my garage. i live in ny, so my temp can get anywhere from 105 down to 0, and the humidity in there can get pretty high too (not to the point of beads of water though). now, im asking if it will be safe to run it from in there? i mean, there is basically the temp and humidity factor that im concerned about. what are your reccomendations? thanks. __________________ rashly3dfx
	QUOTE Thanks

04-08-02, 08:18 PM	#2
The Modfather Registered Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern California - in-between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento	I been kinda wondering the same thing myself!!! I know when I buy certain things that are made of metal (firearms, air rifles, knives, etc..) they come packed w/ these little things called Silica Gel or sumthin....supposedly prevents or helps to prevent the effects of humidity. I wonder if you put enough of the magic "Do Not Eat This" stuff w/ your PC if that would prevent the ill-effects of humidity. Just random thoughts....sorry that I wasn't much help.... MF
	QUOTE Thanks

04-08-02, 11:42 PM	#3
peppy Member Join Date: Dec 2000	so thats what that stuff does, man i always wondered that my whole life, now it is complete __________________ Abit kx7-333R Corsair 256 mb pc 3200 (2-2-2-5-T1) Tbred B @ 2ghz 1.75v / (Thermoengine with delta 38 cfm 7v mod) 12x10x32 burner / 10x dvd Western Digital 80gb hd 7200 Special Edition 8mb cache Ati Radeon 9200 4Q Full Tower ATX Modded Case PC Power & Cooling Turbo cool 425 Klipsch Promedia 500watt 5.1 THX Surround Sound w/ Reciever Folding @ Home Top 300 Participant Gentoo Linux
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04-09-02, 02:00 AM	#4
Diggrr Underwater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Gun Lake, MI. USA	Condensation forms on a surface when it is colder than the dewpoint. Dewpoint is at or below ambient temperature. Today my dewpoint is 8C degrees, so the computer would need to be below that to condense vapor to liquid on it's surfaces...good luck getting that eh? A computer (running or not) will be equal to or warmer than ambient, (guaranteed warmer if it's always on) so there's no way for condensation to form. The only time condensation could form is when you bring that chilly computer back inside the house (cold surface in warm, humid house). I wouldn't recommend running it for a while if you had to bring it into the house in the winter time when it's circuits or it's case are chilly. Have fun! __________________ Rig1: C2D E8400 @3510 Ф Asus P5G41T-M-LX Plus mobo Ф 8 Gigs Ballistix DDR3 1333 Ф Asus GT520 Silent Ф 4 Deep Cool 92mm case fans Ф FSP 1U 460 Watt PSU External Watercooling: 40' Copper Coil Geothermal ground loop Ф Cooling modded MCP350 & MCP355 W/Swiftech white dual pump top Ф D-Tek Fuzion V2, 1/4" Rig2: Via Esther C7 1.5 @ 1.65 Ф Jetway 7F2WE1G5D mITX mobo Ф 1 Gig Generic Ram (max) Ф 120 watt Pico PSU. Life's Tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late. ~ Benjamin Franklin
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04-09-02, 11:39 AM	Thread Starter #5
rashly Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NY	thanks ok, thanks alot. i think its gonna be a go! oh, and are those gel things the same ones that come in shoeboxes? ill have to put a few in there. heh. __________________ rashly3dfx
	QUOTE Thanks

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04-09-02, 03:20 PM	#6
Krieger Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North of Boston, MA	yeah it's the same thing you find in the little packets with shoes. I would not open it though just put a few little packets in there.
	QUOTE Thanks

04-09-02, 03:22 PM	#7
Fink Member Join Date: Dec 2000	I run a server in my garage. Most of the summer it is well over 110F down there and it runs with little problem. Of course, it rarely gets below freezing around here and condensation is never a problem. Don't put a package of silica gel in your computer. Those tiny packages only soak up a miniscule amount of water and are really only useful in sealed containers.
	QUOTE Thanks

04-10-02, 07:51 AM	Thread Starter #10
rashly Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NY	heh heh, i was just kidding about that gel thing. __________________ rashly3dfx
	QUOTE Thanks

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