What Is The Ideal Temperature For Computers In Storage?

Unfortunately I've been hit with a curveball in life. And I've got to put all of my belongings in a private storage unit. Meaning one I pay for month to month which is not where I live (e.g. self storage). I'm really concerned about my electronics. My entire life's worth of retro video games (think giant Sega, Nintendo, and Super Nintendo libraries), newer gaming consoles, computer components, a computer tower, and most importantly the first computer tower I ever built which has a completely see through case... all of which are going into the storage unit. Unfortunately they may be there for a year or two. And I'm really concerned about it all ruining, or discoloring. I'm very concerned. These are all of my life's assets electronic wise. And no there is no other place to put them.

The question I have is what is the optimal storage temperature for electronics before they begin to degrade or ruin in a sense?

I ask because I know cold breaks solder, and I'm sure certain temperatures could render these electronics useless. Or shorten their life span, I'm sure temperature matters. Everything will be in its original box. I have already began to stock it all neatly. But I'm very concerned about discoloring as well. I'm sure certain temperatures can cause discoloration of plastics. I'm not sure how this happens. But we've all seen things happen to possessions in storage whether in a basement or garage that changes its original appearance.

I'm told that this storage facility is climate and pest controlled. It supposedly has "radiant floor heating," whatever that means. One of the reasons the receptionist mentioned that is because they have pipes which I presume are water pipes they don't want freezing and bursting in the winter time underground. That's my other worry is that the winter will do harm. Although again it's apparently climate controlled. I asked if that means that the heat comes on during the winter time. Her answer was "No not exactly, what that means is that we keep the facility at a temperature of 9-12 degrees celcius (48-54 degrees faranheit), all year round." I guess her answer meant that there is no individual heating ducts in each storage unit because I didn't see a vent in mine. But that the entire facility is kept at that temperature year round. Which should mean that your personal unit is about the same temperature if not exactly the same. Since it's all indoors and I noticed crevaces around the walls of my unit where I saw pink insulation that I'm sure helps. So I figure it is protected from the cold to an extent. I'm not too happy that the only available unit they had in my size is right next to the exit door. But hey what can you do? Also that door is supposed to stay shut year round. But if someone else is moving things in and out I'm sure it'll be open for a bit (worries me more about the winter time). I may ask for another available unit closer to the inside of the facility. Although I'm not sure they will even have one before I make a move and leave my stuff there for a long time.

As far as the pest control, well she said it's for rodents. And they come and check the traps as well as take any precautionary measures every two weeks. That it's not for insects, and that I am allowed to place any insect repellent or life ending agent inside my unit as long as it's not highly flammable. Anyways I'm worried, and concerned about all of these belongings going into storage. I've also got some very important papers, photos, and tickets I've saved along the years I hope don't ruin or discolor. It seems like a fairly clean well run place under high surveillance.

If anyone can give me tips on storing computers and electronics. What the ideal temperature is at storage before things ruin. Or any other storage tips for clothes, old newpapers, and other valuable goods I'd appreciate it greatly. Oh yeah this place is dry and seems well maintained, think of any static electricity factors if any scenarios might come to mind in a storage situation.

Thanks

 

Frankly, unless you live in Death Valley (extreme heat) or Nome Alaska, (extreme cold) I would not worry about the temperature. Instead, I would be more worried about moisture/humidity, varmints, and insects. You want it as dry as possible. You don't need to worry about static. That is only a problem when movement is involved. A balloon does not pick up static just sitting there. It is when you rub the balloon on your hair or clothing that static builds up.

Radiant floor heating is good - it means the heating elements are in the floor and the heat radiates up from there.

Being heated should help control the humidity too, but I would buy some desiccant packs and stuff them in the boxes with your electronics and important papers, etc. just to be safe.

That exit door might be a concern in the winter but I don't think it will cause such a rapid change in temperature in your closed unit to cause condensation - even if it is propped open for a couple hours as folks move in and out.

 

@Digerati The desiccant packs are a great idea! I really didn't think of that. Half of my stuff is already there in storage. I wish I would have thought of that. I'm not sure I have the time to place some desiccant packs in those boxes. Maybe the new ones I'm taking there. What if I placed a heap of desiccant pack bags around random areas of my storage unit? Think that would help?

Btw it's a 5x5 unit (feet), and 8 feet high. Very small but it'll hold all of my stuff.

Thanks

 

I don't see how it can hurt.

5x5x8 is still 200 cubic feet and about the size of a medium U-Haul trailer. With careful packing, you can really pack a lot in there - especially boxes.

 

Our warehouse has radiant floor heating, and we have yet for there to be issues with anything which has been stored long term. The most important thing has already been pointed out, i.e., humidity or moisture. If the contents of the container are stored and are damp upon intake, there very well can be mold or mildew issues because of it. Rugs should be cleaned before storage, then bagged in plastic sleeeving, knots tied at the end of the sleeves, and then fold the end of the sleeve over the rug and tape around the roll. Dishes should be wrapped in paper, and placed in a dishpack carton vertically to prevent breakage.

The most important thing is to make sure the contents are clean and dry before placing them in storage.

P.S. Do not store liquids, foodstuffs except possibly canned or dry goods because they can attract vermin. NO explosive/flammable items. If you do have wine it must not be in contact with the radiant floor and all glass containers should be separated by cardboard and stored on it's side. No "klinking".

 

@the mekanic Random question but how about clothing? I have two or three medium sized boxes that will be going in there too that have clothing. And I've always sucked at storing clothes even when I lived in a house. I would find they would get musty or discolored. I bought cedar balls (moth ball alternative). And as per @Digerati's suggestion of desiccant packs, well I may throw a few in the clothing boxes just so it absorbs any or all moisture possible. I was wondering if placing the clothes in a garbage bag tied up, cedar balls, and desiccant packs would help? Loads of expensive clothing, winter jackets and such going in there.

 

Cedar does not work on all insects. The effectiveness fades as the cedar scent does too. Sanding the wood surface can help restore the effect. Moth balls are good but they are poisonous too. So keep kids and pets away. Sealable plastic bags are good. I might set a couple mouse and roach traps just for peace of mind.

 

Best option for clothing would be vacuum bags. If that route is not feasible, pack them straight out of the dryer and tape all the seams of the carton. This means the middle, and the sides. Seal the carton.

If you pack a wardrobe carton, all items should be dry cleaned before storage. Also, tape all seams of the carton.

 

I also like to keep stuff off bare cement/concrete floors. So I've used small furring strips to ensure nothing is in direct contact with the floor. This ensures air can circulate under everything too.

 

@Digerati @the mekanic You guys have given me some great ideas, thanks so much! The furring strips is an EXCELLENT idea. I'll do that for half the storage unit where clothing and other media will be stored such as discs, blu rays, cdr's, video games, etc. As for the first half of the storage unit I had bought a trunk mat that's really big to place on the floor. I don't know if that was a good or bad idea now that I think of the furring strips. But in any case it should keep moisture from the ground seeping into the boxes above which are mostly electronics and such. The electronics are mainly as high up off the ground as possible.

But there are some boxes where media or papers are stored on top of the trunk mat. The mat is not porous and is very large. I will be making a tarp out of garbage bags, maybe two tarps to protect against the sprinklers, God forbid they ever go off. These are all of my life's possessions basically. All I'm keeping on me as I relocate temporarily are clothes that I need for the time being. My buddy told me we could get some wooden skids, that any back end of a grocery store or major dept store would have some we could take to use for keeping the boxes off the ground. Maybe that's an even better idea.

I was thinking of also buying some insecticide powder to sprinkle in the corners of the unit or around the floor in a square. And maybe a rat trap or two. I don't trust what anyone else has in their units, they could be placing food or something that attracts rodents. Even though they said they have pest control. But I won't be there 24/7 to know that...

 

You just don't want to seal in moisture. Skids or pallets will work, but take up more space and are less flexible in placement. Furring strips are easy to snap and break to the proper size. I would hope you don't need rat traps. Mice are bad enough.