High humidity environment

[Charles Krug]

About 5 months ago, we set up a PC in the winery barrel room -- first time we tried that. The old Dell tower lasted about 3 months, then died, & will no longer even try to start. Intially thought the power supply went bad, but a swap didn't help, so maybe something on the mobo -- never dug into it further since it was 6+ years old. The next PC (same type) lasted 2 months -- same failure occurred last week. I'll be narrowing down whatever's failing before setting up another PC.

Brings up this question: have a retired TP A21e which we can use in this situation. How do you think it would hold up in this environment?
Temperature is 55 to 60 & %RH is 70 to 80. TP would be always on, and use an external kb, mouse & display. Suppose we could even enclose it, like in a Tupperware tub. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Jim

[Dennis Henderson]

Have you considered a ruggedized laptop?

[vliou]

Get a T-series = aka = tank.

[egibbs]

I don't think an A or T series will hold up - they are not sealed against humidity. And I suspect it's not just humid, but that there is other stuff in the air - salts, VOCs, etc.

I agree with the ruggedized laptop idea - something along the lines of a Toughbook. Or, depending on what ypou are trying to do, an industrial controller might be more appropriate.

If possible you want to find something where the electronics are sealed and not cooled directly by air flow. The air should flow over a cold plate, and the electronics should be cooled by conduction through a thermal bond to the cold plate.

Ed Gibbs

[Charles Krug]

Thanks for the ideas. The PC is used to access a work order app, email, & that's about it -- handy to have a machine in that location. If the old TP goes bad, I'll be surprised, but at least it's a retired unit. I'd be nervous about putting a new TP in that area. Will be interesting to see what's failing in the Dells.
Jim
P.S. the winemaker reminded me that the barrels are periodically treated with sulfur gas. While the room is ventilated during that procedure, the gas can combine with water to form an acid which may corrode electrical connections. Reseating all the internal plugs in the PC brought it back to life, at least for a while. Good call Ed.