Storage Temperature Range?

[Draylen]

Hey there! I know the operating temp of the CQ line is between 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F), but are there any recommendations/limits on storage temps for the unit? Some mixers I’ve come across have shared different operating vs storage temps that were drastically different (like -20°C storage versus 0°C operating), but I wasn’t seeing anything in the manual or online and had a client that I picked one of these up for ask me. They were wondering if they could store it in their garage/shed that is not temp controlled with their PA speakers like they did with their old analog board. I recommended them to just keep it in the house since it’s so small, but it got me curious enough to try and find out. Especially since I have one as well!

I’m sure they can withstand some more drastic temperatures as they are sent in hot/cold trucks and planes to go from one city to the next in shipping? So probably okay to leave in a hot car as you tour as well? But maybe storage is different? I still prefer to play it safe – but just really curious!

For reference, average temperature here can be anywhere from -30°C to 40°C (-22°F to 104°F) with peaks even colder or hotter depending on the season, but usually just colder….brrr.

Also they have the 18t and I have the 20B and I put them in SKB cases.

Looking forward to learning something hopefully! Thanks!

[Brian]

I would have to assume that the hardware is potentially exposed to some extreme temperatures at some point in the supply chain. It’s not just the completed units either, but even the individual parts have to be manufactured somewhere and shipped to where they are assembled and potentially experience extreme temps during that shipping processes.

I wouldn’t be too worried about high temperatures (because they are still likely below what the components see when they are actually powered on), but I can see where some extreme cold conditions could cause solder connections to fail. Actually after a quick Google search, it seems like the cycling between extremes is pretty bad for solder connections. Therefore it seems like an occasional dip in temps probably isn’t anything to get too concerned about, but if you are going to see regular swings in extreme temps, that is probably something to be avoided.

[Draylen]

Agreed, Brian! I thought the same thing about shipping and testing! Though funny enough I had the opposite thought from the other side – high temps aren’t much of an issue with soldering as you mentioned (barring soldering iron level hot haha), but electronics tend to love COLD (dry cold) over hot. Like how an iPhone shuts down and warns you when it’s too hot. The blend of digital and analog solder components is what made the question interesting to me as both extremes could potentially cause issues issues in a product like this.

The extreme swing makes sense, but usually we don’t have anything THAT fast. In some ways keeping it inside could actually be worse for that if you needed to take the unit somewhere on a day it’s -20° out and your house is at a more comfortable level as it would experience a much faster shock, but I’m sure this happens in shipping too here and there.

Still curious if they have any tested levels though! Thanks for weighing in!

[Author]

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