I was currently faced with a situation in which the windows on the room I keep my equipment were wet from the high levels of humidity during this period and in the location we live. I was alarmed, I thought: if this happened to the windows something similar could be happening to my equipment since the humidity can easily sneak into the boards and the circuitry. I used a small dehumidifier for a couple of days and the level of humidity dropped a couple of degrees, but I am still wondering. Is it indeed dangerous? Do you do anything yourselves to protect your equipment?
I live in a really humid area (seemingly a bit north of Microtribe) and my gear is fine. I can’t afford a dehumidifier so I’ve been using those little condensation capture things (we call them hippos, I don’t know what the actual term is). A few of those in the room seems to work a treat. Like MT said, electronic gear is tougher than you think.
Yes, sorry, per cent and yes, single pane windows. Usually during winter it is about 70% indoors (when not treated), during the past few days it rose up to 78% and it got me thinking. Using the dehumidifier I managed to drop it to 65% (it’s a big room).
I have a dehumidifier in my basement studio that kicks in every day to keep to 54% humidity. Only thing I notice is I had to have the action on my guitars changed after a while, but I think that’s more to do with temperature tbh.
…it can only grow into a problem if ur gear is changing fast from climate to climate…
catching enough moisture to destroy something can only happen if u bring it in a warm room out from the cold or vice versa…
for example…if u bring ur gear in from outside in winter into a club location, u better don’t turn it on right away and let it “sit” for half an hour before u turn it on…
but if u gear is placed permanently in some particular room, no need to worry…in the deep jungle, well, mayyybeee not so much…but anywhere else, ur gear will be fine…
I guess as long as it gets the chance to evaporate it should be ok. Actual droplets on a circuit board, although I think boards mostly have this lacquer applied after production…not so fond of it. But single pane windows are prone to form water pretty quickly when they’re cold (basically de-humidifying the air). Over here humidity can go from ~80% to ~30% depending on season. I use a airco in summer and a humidifier in winter, but mostly for my own comfort. TBH I can be really anal when it comes to my equipment too. Takes me a long time to be able to afford it, so I’m very careful with it. Not dragging it around, hate scratches and dents. Well, that’s just me. Anyway, droplets forming would worry me and make me wait until moisture has evaporated, but a bit more moist air is better static electricity-wise than bone dry air I think.
Came in to say the same thing. The big concern with humidity would be changing temperatures quickly.
I think in general, all electronics are better off in a drier climate, but you won’t be frying your Digitakt just by playing in a humid place. As long as the instrument’s temp is already the same as the ambient temperature, it shouldn’t be a huge concern. When you need to move it between climates, either try to acclimate it, or certainly leave it unpowered for a while in case any condensation has formed on the PCBs.
Guitars can be quite sensitive to humidity, especially chronic significant swings. Obviously acoustic instruments need more care, but even solid body guitars see shifts with humidity that is outside of moderate ranges (too high or too low). A classic issue for solid body’s is fret sprout. Fretboards shrink in chronic dry environments and the fret ends start to feel pronounced and can even become problematic for playing.
I have issues with too low humidity all winter and all of my stringed instruments have to be stored in cases with case humidifiers.
Hate being the downer, but humidity does fuck the gear up. Just a single winter with 85-95% humidity cost me my Alpha Juno 1 (dead), RK-005 (dead), Monotribe (dead, but fixed since), Monotron Delay (square LFO no longer working, fixed, same issue again), Bass Station 2 (malfunctioning pots, moldy knobs), Medusa (malfunctioning LEDs).
Electronic gear is way less tough than many people think.
I spend 30-45 minutes every day tuning violins. The extreme dryness of the last week, here in Southern California, has caused most of my students’ violins’ pegs to slip. Pegs are held in by friction, and contraction of the wood from low humidity causes the slipping.
I was overcome, this morning, with a great sense of gratitude. As I drove to y first school site, there were clouds in the sky. Unfortunately, dry weather returns in next week’s forecast.
I live in a moderately humid climate. At least for my camera gear, I keep it in a dehumidifying cabinet. People do occasionally get mould growing in their lenses if they’re just exposed to the elements.
Check the quality of your windows (glass, construction).
Also: is you studio at the ground floor or in a basement? If yes, consider to move gear to an upper floor. Humidity in the air may be bad, but humudity coming from the ground is worst.
It happened after moving into a high humidity enforcement. The affected gear wasn’t powered from the same source (some of it was mains powered, some was battery powered, some was USB powered). The guy who fixed my Korgs told me it was humidity.
By the way, forgot to list other equipment, Dr Scientist Bitquest and Wampler Sovereign died as well.
Here, in Miami, humidity is a very real issue. I don’t keep any gear near windows anymore. None of the rust seemed to get passed the chasis and or screws, but that was enough for me. I’ve used dehumidifiers, but couldn’t justify the power draw after a few years. The newer windows are hurricane proof, but I’m holding onto my no gear by the windows rule.
Bought a brand new Martin years ago and broke it the first night! Flipped it off a chair, it was ugly! Luckily a local luthier repaired it incredibly well!
Fast forward many years, we moved to a new house and it lived in the basement. It never acclimated to the new environment and was almost unplayable due the humidity.
Guitars and basses are very affected by humidity, because of the wood parts expanding. As a rule, if I don’t play my bass daily it stays into an hard case, I read somewere that it protect from temperature and humidity variations.
The issue is more likely the salt and other minerals in the air. Chicago is extremely humid too, but hasn’t caused me any trouble in nearly three years.
Normally humidity indoors should be between 40 - 60%. If above that, then a dehumidifier is the solution, but make sure you are using the correct one for your rooms size - eg. if manufacturer says dehumidifier is for a room max 15 square meters, don’t put in a room of 20 square meters.
Also what are your windows types - alu, pvc, wooden? With the 1st two is normal to have condensation if indoor vs. outdoor difference in temperature is more than 20 degrees Celsius. For wooden - there is a reason why they cost the most out of 3. Wood is natural, warm and most importantly - it “breathes”.