Audio cables/gear stored in humid/non-climate controlled areas?

[alexis]

Hi all,

We've recently down-sized, and have much less storage space than previously. I have boxes of cables and equipment (a personal mixer, foot pedals, etc.) that would be tough to squeeze into the house, but would fit fine into the garage. It is fully enclosed, and attached to the house proper on two walls, therefore with some moderation from outside temps.

We live in a quite humid area, hot in the summer (100ºF, with heat indices up to 112ºF a couple of weeks ago), and somewhat cold in the winter (occasionally below freezing).

Would it be OK vs a bad idea to store this gear in the garage? I'm concerned about rust and corrosion from the humidity mainly, but any thoughts at all are welcome.

Thank you!

[Sam Spoons]

I keep my PA in a detached garage with no heating and, yes, some of the fixing screws are showing signs of light rust but after several years everything is still working ok. I don't keep my digital mixers or guitar amps in there just the powered speakers, stands and boxes of cables.

[Arpangel]

You do not want humidity, especially if stuff is unused for a long time.
If I don't have a humidifier running, and windows open during the day, mould starts growing on everything.
It’s a damp basement, but a damp humid garage will give you the same issues.

[Mike Monte]

fwiw: My storage unit for the past twenty years is unheated and has concrete floors. It gets cold (20F) in the winter and outdoor temps into the 90'sF at times during the summer. That being said, my gear does-not-sit directly on the floor. Every piece of gear is elevated so that air can circulated under it. This way, moisture will not "wick-up" into the gear.

I used to use 2x4's to elevate but have changed to pieces/cull sections of composite deck material (trex, etc.) that can be readily found to-be-discarded at home construction sites....just stop and ask around.

My gear is fine.

[alexis]

Thank you, everyone!

All this sounds very encouraging, except Sam's signs of rust seems to be an outlier a bit.

A is mainly cables, I guess I'll move forward with garage storage.

Thanks again!

[Sam Spoons]

except Sam's signs of rust seems to be an outlier a bit.

For several years the gear spent about 6 weeks stored in a car next to the sea before doing a gig on the beach, it's equally likely that that is what caused the rusty screw heads.

[MOF]

Do you have a flight case for the mixer, if so then maybe put some silica bags to absorb humidity in it?

[ef37a]

If you had a valuable old car you would put it on axle stands and keep it oiled up and turn the engine over at least once a three month?
Put cables in poly bags after treating the connectors to a dose of WD-40. My garden mics work fine until there is a sustained downpour when they go noisy but a squirt of the ole WD quietens them down for weeks or until more serious rain.

If jack plugs get tarnished a plastic pan scourer soon smartens them up, then a smear of anti-rust.

Dave.

[alexis]

Great- sounding ideas, thanks again all!