Winterization Question-Leaving Computers/ routers running in no heated house
 

Hi there. I'm not sure if this topic belongs here, but I am wondering if it's okay to leave the following running in an unheated house over the winter:

• A laptop computer
• Metrocast modem
• Two wireless routers
• Two ethernet hubs
• 55 inch TV
• DVD player
• Dish TV box

The interior house temperature will potentially get into the teens during January-April.

why wouldn't you turn them off?

Hmm. Typically I shut off the main so the power is killed when I leave the seasonal cottage. I don't know if it matters much but I do know I have been told in electronics stores that you should let electronics including appliances warm up above freezing temp before turning them on if they have been below freezing for a period of time.

The modem, routers, switches will all be perfectly fine.

The DVD player and sat receiver are no issue either.

The TV and laptop or a "maybe". You most likely won't have any issues, but extremely cold temps have been known to cause damage to LCD screens.

"LCD" coverages a broad range of technologies, some (like the screens that go into your car) are designed to handle very wide temperature extremes. Others (like potentially off-brand displays from WalMart) could be damaged by sitting for prolonged periods in low temps.

I'd google the model # of your TV and see what the rating is on it for storage temp. If it's a more recent name-brand purchase, you're probably fine, but it's worth checking.

The owner wants to be able to look at the web cam during winter.

The TV & laptop are a no if they are LCD...

Woodsy

All that nice stuff, eh? Where do you live?

Here is an old thread on this subject.FWIW
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ead.php?t=5131

I agree with what brk-int said above.

The only thing I can say about LCD TV's is I have two large ones in my camp and have never had an issue in 8 winters now. I also had LCD TV's in my motorhome and conversion vans I have owned over the years and never had a single issue during the winter months. You MUST / should let them come up to room temp before turning on though I must say I never did this in any of my conversion vans and again no issues. I do let them warm up in the camp before turning on.

FWIW;

Dan

At my place I have six webcams, three of them public. Cable TV boxes, DirecTV boxes, Roku boxes, Satellite radio, Internet radio, Cable internet modem and router, DSL internet modem and router. Plus a few TVs.

Except for the TVs everything is left on all winter. I use a NetReset box that shuts power down for one minute at 4am.

Oh yea... I also have a webcam on a dial up modem line (just in case).

You should put a Best Buy sign on your dock! :D

I asked this years ago
 

I'm the one that started the thread that SIKSUKR refers to. I had 2 Samsung 40" LCD TV's. Below is what I found. I've had no problems at all. I do put a wool blanket over the TVs when closing down and I do wait for operating temp to turn on when going up in cold weather.
I also have an ONKYO receiver that's left there with no problems.

I shut down power to camp when closing down.

Samsung TVs can operate safely in rooms or areas in which temperatures range from 50° F to 104° F (10° C to 40° C). Temperatures outside the listed range will negatively affect the operation of your TV.

Samsung TVs can be stored unused at temperatures ranging from -4° to 113° Fahrenheit (-20° to 45° Centigrade). Storing your TV at temperatures outside this range can damage your TV.

Dave M

Thanks Everyone
 

Thanks for all the good replies everyone. Very good to hear from folks who have gear in their summer homes that close down for the winter. Puts my mind at rest. :look:

Has anyone figured out how to leave liquids in a winterized house without having them freeze? I was thinking of leaving my fridge running with a garage kit in a laundry room that doesn't touch any outside wall. The laundry room has an electric baseboard heater, but I am not sure if I would need to turn it on. I hate to buy new condiments, etc. each time I come up.


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I leave all that stuff unplugged in in heated house all winter with no issues

Many liquids have a low freezing points. If they contain alcohol of any type, or petroleum spirits you will likely not have a problem. Rusty containers are as likely to burst from contraction due to cold as they are from heat expansion.

To be safe you can put containers in 'totes' to contain any spills.

Good luck!

I own a motel and all the rooms have dvd players, LCD tv's, all that stuff. There is no heat after we close in the fall and everything has always been fine come spring. Lowest interior temp was -14 this past February.

I leave the main on incase the mice decide to try and eat the wires

Conversion Van??? Man you are old! :D

I place all of my liquid cleaners in the shower before I leave. At least if anything does leak I won't have too much of a mess to clean up. I have been doing this for years and have had very few problems.