Weather and Macs??

[eR1c]

I recently took my Mac Classic II out of storage, it had been at the top of my garage for the past 10+ years.  It gets pretty hot up there and as a result my battery basically exploded all over my motherboard. I've taken' this on as a project to get this Classic II back up and running.  I am almost there, but my question is really about what kind of weather is safe to operate this Mac in.  My plan is to keep this Mac in my work-shop and actually use it (for keeping notes, tracking progress, etc on various personal projects). I have a thermometer that tracks lowest and highest temp's.  My garage seems to go between about 45degrees at its coldest in dead of winter to about 90degrees on the hottest days of the year.  Are these temp's okay to use my Mac in? I would like to keep it in my work space in the garage where i'll use it most.  Are these acceptable weather temperatures for this Mac?

 

[Macdrone]

I wouldn't worry about temp.  I used a Classic in a shed , as long as moisture isn't an issue too much then should be ok.  Ive pulled macs from barns and had them working so temps are not much of an issue.  Can always put a small fan on the side to blow air across if it ever gets too hot. The CRT's don't like to be turned on below freezing, much like florescent lights.  

At this age I would get as much use out of anywhere and everywhere as much as you can.

 

[unity]

Those temps are okay with a new machine. If you recap the whole thing, you will probably be just fine. I think under operation with high heat may speed up cap failure. But at cooler temps, probably fine.

 

[eR1c]

At this age I would get as much use out of anywhere and everywhere as much as you can.

-you calling me old?!

Just kidding!! 

That is good to hear about not worrying too much about temp's w/ our Macs.  Moisture is not an issue at all, I live in California and not too close to the ocean (it's about 10miles from my home), but there is a small mountain range that blocks all the ocean air,  so the air is mostly dry. My garage is a converted workspace, it is pretty comfortable 95% of the time and is mostly insulated.  

Great to know!

 

[eR1c]

Those temps are okay with a new machine. If you recap the whole thing, you will probably be just fine. I think under operation with high heat may speed up cap failure. But at cooler temps, probably fine.

Yes, on the hottest days when it is 110 outside it gets up to about 90 in the garage/workspace.  I'll be sure to have a fan going on those days OR bring it inside for the month of August and September.  

I did re-cap the entire motherboard (w/ Tantalum capacitors) and most of the analog board. I believe tantalums are not likely to leak like the electrolytic ones ...but will still bring my machine in during the hottest months.  Okay, heat bad ...cold not so bad.

 

[XBHS1997]

Yeah I'd avoid too much moisture. Where I keep my Macs, there moisture isn't an issue and I also avoid extreme temperature changes. A dry, dark cupboard is perfect for IMO – for storage.

Nicolas

 

[eR1c]

A dry, dark cupboard is perfect for IMO – for storage. 

oh, no don't say it isn't so, ...put my Mac Classic II in a dark cupboard!!  It's lived the past 15 years in a dark stored space ...I've taken it out of storage for a second life.  

 

[CC_333]

Well, I think he meant if you were to store it for another 15 years when you're done with it.

c

 

[eR1c]

Got it! if I ever put this in storage again it will be after I remove the battery and wrap the entire thing in plastic and foam.

 

[Unknown_K]

Humidity and heat will mess up electronics gear left in sheds or garages. Plus the metal covers inside will condense water when it gets colder so you have rust issues.