should i be concerned

[lotus 30]

I used to repair microwaves and we found if a customer left it in the car overnight and dropped it off for repair the transformers would short out and render them scrap.
Is there a concern for this to happen with the welder transformer i have a propane heater santa brought me and as it produces water as it is in use will this cause condensation in the machine.
I know my lathe and miller sweat in winter on the damp milder days .

 

[cumbriasteve]

It's a very weather dependant challenge to keep items condensation free, I have seen some frosty mornings when working in the garage metal objects running with condensation, types of heaters are variable in the problems they can cause, I always found the old Superser gas fires the worse.

I got to putting blankets over my valuable equipment, not sure how effective that was but have never had any problems.

When the welder is in use the fan should eliminate any risk of internal condensation building up.

 

[DuffyBB]

Ive had problems with this before. Stored old pc base units in the garage and gave one to a mate so he could reformat it for one of his relatives. He plugged it in and the psu went bang...caused by dampness/condensation from sitting in the garage I assume.

Ive always wanted to set a tv and pc up in the garage(for manuals and epc's etc). My cunning plan is to open them and spray the pcb's etc with damp start to hopefully protect them.

Never had any problems with power tools though(*touch wood*).

 

[Psymon]

I have used my Tig in the damp cold conditions and it has been fine. However now you have me a bit worried. Perhaps I should bring it inside for the winter? (Bit difficult at the moment as I am in India for another week). I know that if I bring it in from the cold it will be covered in moisture so it will need a few days to dry out.

 

[lotus 30]

A dehumidifier is the answer but i already run two and in the concrete building i use as the dirty w/shop cutting grinding welding i like to leave the door open so i can see who is coming and going so that is a waste of all that electric i have burnt.
I have thought about an old carpet over the tig when not in use. i may try a small fan motor in the roof to keep the air moving and see how that goes.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I wouldn't be to concerned, both my present workshop and my old workshop had awful problems with damp and condensation and although it means I am always fighting a losing battle to keep my machine tools rust free, I have never had a welder fail through internal damp problems. I have various transformer and inverter based welders/plasma's etc and they are fine.

 

[lotus 30]

I wouldn't be to concerned, both my present workshop and my old workshop had awful problems with damp and condensation and although it means I am always fighting a losing battle to keep my machine tools rust free, I have never had a welder fail through internal damp problems. I have various transformer and inverter based welders/plasma's etc and they are fine.

Thank you very much that puts my mind at ease i have gone to a lot of trouble setting up a welding shop been on it for weeks moving in and wiring fitting benches and the like. I had time to think christmas day promised i would stay in for lunch and the afternoon. That was hard so mused over the w/shop LOL
PS just looked at your location Somerset it has been a little damp there in the last year,
Please don't think i am being flippant you have my sympathy i live almost opposite on the gwent levels.

 

[lexi]

afaik circuit boards should be sprayed with acrylic varnish for this purpose. Car parts are done like this. Any that are not give problems.
My Cut 40 has a fleece jacket made for it. Kept in cold garage and about 8 years old now, all good.

 

[lotus 30]

I must give it more thought how to manage the problem thanks for the input Lexi

 

[Gareth J]

Yeah, I live near the sea. If the wind flips east to west and brings in "the fog" air laiden with water is forced into everywhere by the wind. Even better, it's also salty water. Everything is cooler than the incoming air so everything rains with condensation. Try to seal the workshop but the tin roof is vented so much efforts are more or less in vein. Workbench, drill and lathe get waxoyled regularly and the lathe + welders get blankets if I remember in time!