On Tue, 13 Apr 1999 Philip.Belben(a)powertech.co.uk wrote: First of all, a rugged lock on the front door. Its not really necessary. Computers store well in wide temperature ranges. I had many of my machines stored in the top level of a barn enclosed with corrugated tin that would get to probably 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer time (probably even higher!) for years and they came out fine when I finally moved them to their current location. Colder temperatures would be better I imagine, but then there's the humidity issues, which leads to... UK is a wet place right? I would do so. You'll have to check the bucket each week probably. I knew a guy who kept a dehumidifier in the basement of his San Francisco (damp environment) house which was his computer room and he pulled a gallon or two out every week. That would not hurt, and would in fact be great if you want to go through all the trouble. Your real concern will be keeping your books and manuals dry. Sounds great. I would just make sure to seal up all the cracks and put weather-stripping around the door to make the place airtight. That will help in the long run. Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out. Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0 See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! [Last web site update: 04/03/99]

Upon the date 09:32 AM 4/13/99 +0100, Philip.Belben(a)powertech.co.uk said something like: By golly, this would be best! But at what co$t? Yes. During the periods in the Spring and Fall when the temperature swings between 0 and about 15 Celsius, condensation is more prone to gather on cool surfaces. You've probably heard of this in regard to switchgear design at your job. This condition is aggravated when it is/has been raining or the humidity is otherwise high. I don't know what UK region you are in but I'm sure the present interior conditions of that building are somewhat similar to my area. This is the problem I have here in Jamestown (just east of Lake Erie of the Great Lakes region). I have to use our two unheated garages to store computer gear, but only temporarily as a big bunch is heading to Calif. in May/June and other items will be stuffed into the house or sold. (And I still have to settle on an economical cost plan to handle storage of the remaining parts of the collection and other stuff still in our old house. I must clean it out ASAP so it can get sold) Parts of my military radio collection are okay in the garages as those items have been "tropicallized" and otherwise designed for such condx. I must have a dehumidifier in the basement of the house during the hot, humid summers here. Tools and unpainted/unplated metal surfaces will rust or corrode. However dampness is not much of a problem in the garages then. During the coldest parts of our winter it is usually always below freezing so condensation is not much of a problem in the garages. The RH of the air is rather low too. I think the gel would have to be replaced often if conditions are quite moist. Wrapping tightly in plastic could help but it will still "breath" some damp air through the many little paths between folds and layers. The clich? conditions we Yanks hear of over there is that is often foggy and cool in the UK. I suppose it depends greatly upon the exact location on the Islands whether the dampness is prevalent or not. One additional important thing is to prevent any varmints from building homes in the gear and storage boxes. Mice, chipmunks and squirrels have invaded boxes and equipment in both of my garages. Not too much fun to clean out :( I've got a Havaheart live trap which I use to catch them and I haul them out of town to another forest (away from any bus or taxi stops so they can't get back home! <g> ;) Good luck. Regards, Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/awa