Best cheap dry cabinet for MSD (possible to DIY)? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 07:09:31 pm
content: Hey all!I'm looking for a way to store my MSD safely.So:What is the best band per buck for storing MSD safely?Follow up question; is there a way to 'do it yourself' and make a dry cabinet suitable for MSD?There's not much info to find (even using "dry cabinet msd site:eevblog.com") on google and so I thought I'd ask you knowledgeable people!

author: singapol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 02:21:20 am
content: Try typing "dry cabinet + camera". A small one do not cost much.

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 02:22:57 am
content: I forgot to mention I had seen those, but I'm not sure if they are good enough for MSD devices? I just intuitively dismissed it as not being dry enough, but I'd be very happy to hear I'm wrong

author: singapol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 02:40:19 am
content: Quote from: alexanderbrevig on September 22, 2015, 02:22:57 amYou can check the specs if the lowest RH% ( relative humidity,they are adjustable) meets your needs.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 06:46:40 am
content: Dry storage usually takes the form of a sealed moisture barrier bag, rather than a special container. If bags have been opened, devices are baked before reflow.Do you actually need dry storage, though? If you're soldering parts by hand, then it's not really required.

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 10:59:29 am
content: I have not found a good indication on what RH is good for MSD. It is for the parts I reflow. But maybe I should just try and do them by hand instead. I don't know what the package is called but those Johanson balun chips, some of the 'smart' RGB leds and small VQFN packages. I have a reflow oven handy so I tend to use itBut it's true. I can always just do the MSD stuff by hand even if the rest is reflowed...I thought I'd just ask if anyone had some brilliant suggestionsAnyone ever tried to use the camera cabinets?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 11:01:09 am
content: A food container with a gasket and some dessicant bags.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 11:24:20 am
content: What is MSD?

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 01:05:12 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on September 22, 2015, 11:24:20 amThey are "Moisture Sensitive Devices" and they have a Moisture Sensitive Level which indicates how long they can be in "humid" (normal) atmosphere before they must be baked before reflow or else they can be destroyed due to the expansion of water to gas in a "popcorn effect".EDIT: As alwayswiki is better at explaining than I am.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 01:39:53 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on September 22, 2015, 11:01:09 amExactly what I use, except I put half a beaker of Calcium Chloride in there. It'll suck the moisture out of a damp sponge...