Storing a computer in a humid garden house

Strider590

There's no way of getting the laptop into the bag without allowing humidity inside it, once outside the moisture will condense on the inside of the bag, run down to the bottom and probably damage the laptop.

Basically it's a bad idea.

However if you must, then a better solution would be to forget the bag and provide some heating and ventilation (carefully controlled).

shaun_from_Africa

Turn the computer on for a while to allow it to warm up then turn off and wrap it up well whilst still inside the house. Before wrapping, put a bag or two of silica gel desiccant inside the package and providing that it is well wrapped so as not to allow any further damp air inside, you shouldn't have a problem.

If it is wrapped up whilst still warm and inside a house with low humidity, the amount of water moisture that will be inside the wrapping will be miniscule and the silica gel will easily deal with it.

Collabora

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Turn the computer on for a while to allow it to warm up then turn off and wrap it up well whilst still inside the house. Before wrapping, put a bag or two of silica gel desiccant inside the package and providing that it is well wrapped so as not to allow any further damp air inside, you shouldn't have a problem.

If it is wrapped up whilst still warm and inside a house with low humidity, the amount of water moisture that will be inside the wrapping will be miniscule and the silica gel will easily deal with it.

but then place in a cold damp environment will cause condensation on the plastic which will form on the inside and silica gel packs will be useless.

It seems more people on here are not trying to help the OP. PCs/Laptops are totally different to wrap up and place in a damp area than a piece of furniture. They need to be wrapped correctly in the right material

wealdroam

Strider590 wrote: »

There's no way of getting the laptop into the bag without allowing humidity inside it, once outside the moisture will condense on the inside of the bag, run down to the bottom and probably damage the laptop.

Basically it's a bad idea.

However if you must, then a better solution would be to forget the bag and provide some heating and ventilation (carefully controlled).

Laptop? Who said laptop?

artbaron

This is a very strange thread.

shaun_from_Africa

Collabora wrote: »

but then place in a cold damp environment will cause condensation on the plastic which will form on the inside and silica gel packs will be useless.

They need to be wrapped correctly in the right material

As already asked by another poster, where will the moisture come from to form the condensation? and why do you state that the silica gel will be useless?

You do know what the purpose of this material is don't you? It is there specifically to draw moisture from the air, thus preventing condensation.

This is from the very first site found from doing a Google search for "Silica gel" "condensation"

Silica Gel is a drying and dehumidifying agent that drinks up moisture to effectively prevent rust, corrosion, mold, mildew, spoilage, fogging and condensation.

And the second site:

The aim of using silica gel sachets is to minimise the risk of irreversible damage to items in transit or store caused by condensing water vapour. By adsorbing water molecules, a silica gel sachet will reduce the Relative Humidity inside a package to levels at which condensation will not occur .

If you could get condensation inside a sealed package, from dry air and with no moisture inside the wrapped package then you would have solved the world's fresh water problem.
I know exactly what the requirements for packaging, storing and shipping delicate and sensitive electronic units and components are.
If you check my previous posting history you will find that I have mentioned that part of my job involves packing and shipping aircraft avionic parts, many of which require specialist packing to avoid damage.

John_Gray

Shaun / Hermione - you will both undoubtedly be familiar with the olde American saying:
"Hire a teenager, while they still know it all"...

Collabora

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

As already asked by another poster, where will the moisture come from to form the condensation?

A Cold and DAMP (MOIST) atmosphere, the moisture in the AIR will cling and form condensation on the plastic, which will also form on the inside of the plastic and Silica Gel will only soak so much moisture.

Why do you think places like museums when they pack things in crates/boxes/bags they will always use dehumidifiers, this is to stop the moisture in the AIR from forming condensation and damaging the items.

I am well aware of how a PC should be packed and stored to cause minimal damage, as no matter how you pack some damage will occur

wealdroam

Collabora wrote: »

I am well aware of how a PC should be packed and stored to cause minimal damage, as no matter how you pack some damage will occur

That sentence really puzzles me.
If you know how to pack to avoid damage, how come damage still occurs?

Anyway, what has that got to do with water permeating the plastic bag?...

Collabora wrote: »

A Cold and DAMP (MOIST) atmosphere, the moisture in the AIR will cling and form condensation on the plastic, which will also form on the inside of the plastic...

Collabora

wealdroam wrote: »

That sentence really puzzles me.
If you know how to pack to avoid damage, how come damage still occurs?

Anyway, what has that got to do with water permeating the plastic bag?...

some moisture will still get in and can cause minor damage as corrode cable terminals no matter how you pack it

water/moisture on the inside of the plastic bag will eventually seep into the PC