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

CateP · 10-23-2015, 08:50 AM

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.

Scott's Yott · 10-23-2015, 08:52 AM

why wouldn't you turn them off?

SAB1 · 10-23-2015, 08:54 AM

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.

brk-lnt · 10-23-2015, 08:57 AM

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.

CateP · 10-23-2015, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott's Yott

why wouldn't you turn them off?

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

Woodsy · 10-23-2015, 09:07 AM

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

Woodsy

dickiej · 10-23-2015, 09:21 AM

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

SIKSUKR · 10-23-2015, 09:27 AM

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

ishoot308 · 10-23-2015, 10:26 AM

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

Bear Islander · 10-23-2015, 10:59 AM

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).

MAXUM · 10-23-2015, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

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!

Dave M · 10-23-2015, 11:10 AM

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

CateP · 10-23-2015, 01:30 PM

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.

Joebon · 10-23-2015, 04:00 PM

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.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

phoenix · 10-23-2015, 06:30 PM

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

Kamper · 10-24-2015, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joebon

Has anyone figured out how to leave liquids in a winterized house without having them freeze? ...

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!

Scott · 10-24-2015, 05:00 PM

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.

AC2717 · 10-26-2015, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAB1

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.

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

dpg · 10-26-2015, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

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

Conversion Van??? Man you are old!

Dog's Ear · 10-27-2015, 09:43 AM

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.

10-23-2015, 08:50 AM	#1
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	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.

10-23-2015, 08:57 AM	#4
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,944 Thanks: 544 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	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. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

10-23-2015, 09:07 AM	#6
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,964 Thanks: 80 Thanked 978 Times in 439 Posts	The TV & laptop are a no if they are LCD... Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

10-23-2015, 09:27 AM	#8
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Here is an old thread on this subject.FWIW http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ead.php?t=5131 __________________ SIKSUKR

10-23-2015, 10:26 AM	#9
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,212 Thanks: 2,377 Thanked 5,266 Times in 2,046 Posts	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 __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

10-23-2015, 08:52 AM	#2
Scott's Yott Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: chester nh Posts: 93 Thanks: 54 Thanked 37 Times in 20 Posts	why wouldn't you turn them off?

10-23-2015, 08:54 AM	#3
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,227 Thanks: 188 Thanked 319 Times in 234 Posts	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 Following User Says Thank You to CateP For This Useful Post:
Smith Point (10-23-2015)

10-23-2015, 09:21 AM	#7
dickiej Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: White Salmon, WA Posts: 299 Thanks: 21 Thanked 171 Times in 93 Posts	All that nice stuff, eh? Where do you live?

10-23-2015, 10:59 AM	#10
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,762 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	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).

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bear Islander For This Useful Post:
CateP (10-23-2015), CTYankee (10-24-2015)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MAXUM For This Useful Post:
BroadHopper (10-23-2015), CTYankee (10-24-2015)

10-23-2015, 11:10 AM	#12
Dave M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 395 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	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

10-23-2015, 01:30 PM	#13
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	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.

10-23-2015, 04:00 PM	#14
Joebon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 142 Thanks: 23 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-23-2015, 06:30 PM	#15
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,544 Thanks: 60 Thanked 273 Times in 192 Posts	I leave all that stuff unplugged in in heated house all winter with no issues __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

10-24-2015, 05:00 PM	#17
Scott Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 150 Thanks: 0 Thanked 68 Times in 19 Posts	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. __________________ Scott

10-27-2015, 09:43 AM	#20
Dog's Ear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Whortleberry Island Posts: 81 Thanks: 130 Thanked 20 Times in 10 Posts	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.