Flat screen TV & cold winter temps

[Steamboat_Willie]

Does anyone know if a flat screen TV left mounted on the wall inside the trailer during the winter months is immune to any adverse effects from the cold winter temperatures? What do most folks do? Dismantle it from the wall mount and bring it inside or just leave it there? What about the CD/radio receiver? Same concern. Suggestions?
Ed

[Doug]

Most people I've seen post on here bring them in for the winter.
I don't have one yet, but will next year.
I'll bring it in just to avoid any condensation that may occur with changing temps.
If you bring it in, all concerns go away IMHO

Best regards,
Doug

[Jpetrey]

From Trailer Life http://forums.trailerlife.com/Index....g/1/page/1.cfm

[tlhdoc]

I have left my LCD TV in the camper the last tow winters and have not had any problems. I don't see why they would need to be removed. Dh's car has an LCD screen and it is outside all the time. No damage there. Also my Explorer has a screen and it has been outside since 2004. Again no problems with it.

[dmax_83]

The electronics are not shipped in heated containers/trucks, they will be fine in your camper over the winter.

[clubhouse]

I spent 10 years working for a large semiconductor company.

Electronic Components used in general consumer grade electronics (Television, DVD, Cell Phone, etc) are built to a commercial temperature spec. The commercial spec is -10*C - 70*C, this is the operating range, but even while sitting idle there is degradation of the component when held outside this range. Heat is a much bigger issue than cold.

TLHDOC's example of LCD screens in his Explorer handle the cold fine. Well that's because components manufactured for the transportation industry typically are specified for the "Automotive Temp Range" (-40*C - 125*C) or "Industrial Temp Range" (-40*C - 85*C) and that explorer probably doesnt sit unused as much as a TT in the winter.

Dmax's statement that they "are not shipped in heated containers/trucks" although true isn't a good comparison. Electronics in transit are typically packaged in corrugated cardboard boxes with foam corners suspending the device. Then the boxes are tightly packed together, basically building one large insulating mass. Even the coldest Arctic crossing I doubt the electronics are being subjected to sub zero temps.

Now, after all that, where do you live. If you expect to see several weeks or months of sustained sub zero I'ld probably take it out. If you are like me and live in Central CA where we get 20+\- nights in the teens just leave it.

[mach8274]

I have always heard that LCD and LED are fine being stored in cold temps but Plasma is not.

[tlhdoc]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

TLHDOC's example of LCD screens in his Explorer handle the cold fine. Well that's because components manufactured for the transportation industry typically are specified for the "Automotive Temp Range" (-40*C - 125*C) or "Industrial Temp Range" (-40*C - 85*C) and that explorer probably doesnt sit unused as much as a TT in the winter.

Actually the Explorer is usually only driven Friday evening after work to my camp, and then home on Sunday. The camper is used Friday night to Sunday evening.

[Macrosill]

I have been leaving my TVs in the RV during the winters for years and never have had any issues.

[Seann45]

Before I started snow birding I always left my LCD TV in the RV even at -40.. no harmful effects as long as it has no power going to it.. but then who in their right mind would try to use an RV at -40? Leave it in and once spring has sprung go out and enjoy your RV.

[billb800si]

Have had a 32 inch and 15 inch LCD flat TV left in the trailer over winter for years now.
Happy trails,

[tinlizzie23]

All my electronics remain in the 5er for the winter, with no problems. I also use a hanging water traps to minimize moisture and condensation during the off season. Temps here can reach 0 - 10 below.

[WIBadger]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

I spent 10 years working for a large semiconductor company.

Electronic Components used in general consumer grade electronics (Television, DVD, Cell Phone, etc) are built to a commercial temperature spec. The commercial spec is -10*C - 70*C, this is the operating range, but even while sitting idle there is degradation of the component when held outside this range. Heat is a much bigger issue than cold.

TLHDOC's example of LCD screens in his Explorer handle the cold fine. Well that's because components manufactured for the transportation industry typically are specified for the "Automotive Temp Range" (-40*C - 125*C) or "Industrial Temp Range" (-40*C - 85*C) and that explorer probably doesnt sit unused as much as a TT in the winter.

Dmax's statement that they "are not shipped in heated containers/trucks" although true isn't a good comparison. Electronics in transit are typically packaged in corrugated cardboard boxes with foam corners suspending the device. Then the boxes are tightly packed together, basically building one large insulating mass. Even the coldest Arctic crossing I doubt the electronics are being subjected to sub zero temps.

Now, after all that, where do you live. If you expect to see several weeks or months of sustained sub zero I'ld probably take it out. If you are like me and live in Central CA where we get 20+\- nights in the teens just leave it.

Sorry that I didn't see this thread earlier. I would suggest removing the LCD or LED TV from the trailer and store it in a location where the relative humidity (RH) is between 40-60% to minimize or prevent permanent, latent or intermittent damage from static electricity.

[RoyBraddy]

I would add that if left in the cold always pre-warm the room and the unit up before turning it back on. Where we live here in Virginia it just doesn't get below ZER0 degrees so not an issue for us.

I always stress to folks that are buying wall mounts to get one that makes it easy to remove the TV from the wall mount so they can easily move the TV inside if they desire to do so...

Roy Ken

[fochman]

I've left mine in the TT in Northern Indiana also and have never had an issue.

[Seann45]

Before starting to snowbird I left mine in the RV all winter in Sask.. -40 with no problems ever..