Humidity Help - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: jkobler411
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2018, 08:08:14 pm
content: Hello all.I am just starting in the world of electronics. I have been tinkering with various Arduino projects. Recently, I have decided to build my first EE lab.My problem is the only space that I have to do so is in my garage. I live in Florida and the humidity could be a problem. How can I keep my equipment from getting destroyed in my garage,or do I not have too much to worry about? I am thinking about purchasing a dehumidifier.Any help is greatly appreciated.Thanks

author: stmdude
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2018, 06:56:19 am
content: I have my shop in my garage as well. I don't live in a tropical climate, but temperatures vary wildly, so condensation is definitely a worry.I keep all my components in stackable transparent plastic boxes (slightly larger than a shoebox), and have a few pouches of silica gel in each. Keeps everything dry and its a great way to organize as well.

author: jkobler411
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 21, 2018, 03:24:46 pm
content: Thanks for the advice. You said you keep your components like that but what about your bigger pieces of kit, same thing?

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2018, 04:51:42 pm
content: otherwise, higher humidity seems to help reduce ESD.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2018, 05:08:10 pm
content: It sounds as if you might want to partition off a smaller work area for your Lab. Maybe it could be something as simple as plastic sheet curtains or something more permanent. That would give a small dehumidifier a good chance of keeping things under control.Do you have rust problems with any cast iron / steel tools in the garage? That would be the first indication that you might need to do something to control the humidity.

author: stmdude
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 09:58:02 am
content: Quote from: jkobler411 on February 21, 2018, 03:24:46 pmI don't do anything with those, if you mean power-supplies, DMMs, scopes, etc.

author: Bear207
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 01:25:06 pm
content: Curious what would be a good humidity range for a lab?

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 02:30:01 pm
content: Me too, many hobbyist live also in a tropical enviroments and I'm curious to see any effects on the instruments with RH about 70/80%.Many instruments specs are ok till 90% without condensing soshouldbe safe, someone can confirm this?

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 05:17:28 pm
content: I have used electronics professionally outdoors in Florida on numerous occasions. In general it was not an issue, but with a key exception. When on the beach or very near the beach the salt spray in the air was near instant death for electronics. As little as two weeks exposure could be fatal. The corrosive effects of this environment are not limited to electronics. You should know from looking at cars, windows, signs and other gear near your house is too close to the ocean. If your garage is that close to the ocean you may want to serious consider trading your electronics hobby for watersports.

author: Bear207
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 06:21:26 pm
content: Living Maine we sometimes have wildly changing or different humidity in our homes. My lab (early construction with no instruments) in the basement is running 55% RH and second floor near 20%. This year has been worst in memory.Thanks for the input.Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk