Winter and effects on hardware.

**IntellaWorks** · 10-06-2004, 11:10 AM

Hello all, thanks for taking the time to read this and give your honest input.
I live in New Hampshire and as you all may know it gets cold here, sometimes VERY COLD. (below zero) I'm concerned about a few things.

My computer starts with my vehicle, everytime and automatically. I'm concerned that when it gets very cold (below 20 degrees farenheight) starting the harddrive after sitting all night is severe abuse and maybe will destroy the drive after a winter or at least kill the drive faster.

I'm also concerned about condensation, I'm using a via epia m210000 so its temps get warm rather quickly when powered up, going from 10-15 degrees to 75-90 degrees will cause condensentation build up. It might not kill hardware 1 or two times, but if you think about how many times you start your car in a day that has low tempratures I'm thinking this abuse will kill the drives rather quickly.

I used to have a kill switch, and waited to turn my computer on. I only used it during long trips in the winter, and rarely turned it on during my short trips (to the store for more beer ext.)

Of course, my new pc will have control over everything including my radio and CD player. And I really can't go without either of them !!! So these are legitiment concerns.

**IntellaWorks** · 10-06-2004, 11:19 AM

I'm thinking of designing a heat controlling system attached to the cars power. But I'm not exactly 100% sure and this is where I need everyones collaborative efforts (we're all brilliant) and togeather we can solve these problems.

I'm thinking of attaching a Basic Stamp2 Processor Basic Stamp2 to the vehicle's power supply (almost directly with no switch, so that it will always be on) This probably won't drain the battery because it needs almost nothing to run, I think it draws less power than one of those alarm lights (used to visibally show someone that your car has a car alarm active). This Basic Stamp2, will constantly monitor the temprature if the temp inside my pc gets below certian degrees then turn on some type of heating device).

Here's where I need your help ! What the hell kind of heating device that needs low power to operate and can keep (say my harddrive) above freezing over the course of a new england winter night, WITHOUT draining my trucks battery.

Let's think Liquids, or GELS (if possible) but I'm open to ANY IDEAS here.. don't hold back.

**Tegel** · 10-06-2004, 03:07 PM

About the harddisk, try to find a Hitachi Endurastar J4K20.
It can operate in temperature down to -20 degree Celsius (-4 degree Farenheit).

// Tegel

**IntellaWorks** · 10-06-2004, 03:29 PM

Can't find that drive online to buy :-\

**Tegel** · 10-06-2004, 04:10 PM

I can understand that.
I found this info on www.span.com (brittish site):
"(NOTE: Each sale needs to be approved by Hitachi)".
And the price is $224.40 +VAT, but it's the ultimate harddisk.

// Tegel