Computer machines left in trunks
 

I was talking to a friend's son who is a Genius at an Apple Store. He was saying is is NOT A GOOD IDEA for me to leave my computer machine in the trunk when it gets cold outside. Said that computers are ruined every day doing that and thinks it might also affect a sewing machine.
Just thought I should pass this info on.

Good to know. Thanks.

Thanks. I thought it was just the heat that was bad for them.

Computers like a nice stable temperature. That is why the mainframes/servers have their own HVAC systems in big companies.

Temperature changes cause condensation due to fluxuation in humidity levels.....bad for computers and sewing machines.

I'd never leave my computerized machine in my car for several reasons. First, I'm Canadian, so dealing with cold winters and computers don't like cold. Even my old manual (vintage) machines don't like the cold, they have to warm up to room temperature or the belt inside just won't run.
Also, cars get broken into. I've had a theft from my vehicle (actually they took the whole car!) and would be devastated if my expensive machine went on a joyride.
Also, computerized machines don't like to fall over. Unless you had it tied down in the trunk, I could fall over when you go around corners or if you have to slam on the brakes. I may go overboard, but if I have to put my machine on the seat in the car, it wears a seatbelt!

I'm lost. Why would you keep a sewing machine in the car? The only time mine ever goes for a ride is when I take it in for service or when it goes to retreats with me. In both instances it sits on the floor in the back seat and is removed immediately.

I don't leave my sewing machines in the car. Yes, the temperature fluctuations are bad for them. But worse, I have separation anxiety! :D :D :D Can't sew without 'em!

I take mine to Arizona every winter, and yes it wears a seatbelt, or is in a wheeled tote secured in the back of Trail Blazer. It comes into the hotel room every night we're on the road, not only because of theft, but the cold nights on the way down. Would not be a happy camper if I couldn't use it when we got there.

My dh said that was because the cold effects the metallic parts and produces moisture. That is not a good thing.

heh, I thought the same thing when I read this - I'd never leave my baby in the car, and when it goes for a ride it has to have the seatbelt on! :)

When I do go on retreats, my machine is always the last thing to go into my car, and then the first thing to get out. I put mine behind the front seat and wedge it in by moving the front seat back as far as it can go.

also don't leave them in too much heat! computers don't like heat either.

I leave a Janome Jem in the trunk of my car. It's in a hard molded case and the case is put in a large box lined with thick styrofoam (came from an overnight shipment of frozen meat) It has been in my trunk for several years and it's what I use on my sew days and classes at least once a week sometimes more. So far so good. It isn't a dream machine but sews great for what I use it for. I keep a tote of quilting notions, table top ironing board and big cutting mat in the trunk too and still have plenty of room for groceries and other stuff. I have a Cadallac and bought it just for the trunk space. Have you seen the trunk space in one of these? Amazing. And it's pure comfort driving too.

I have friends that leave theirs in the car in the garage for bees and classes.
I'll let them know.

Thanks ladies/gents. I now do not feel so bad about buying my Bernina a special suitcase. She came with a hard case but she also travels in the black padded and goes in a seat belt. I am so glad others understand. Teresa

Yes, this is very true. You should keep all your electronics in a place with no large temp fluctuation. Also, you need to be concerned with humidity. I keep a dehumidifier going year-round in my basement sewing studio.

Thanks for the information, though I don't usually leave anything computerized in my auto, now I never will.

I never knew this. Thanks for the info.

I can't imagine leaving my sewing machine in the car for any reason. If I even need to take it in for service, it gets into the car when I do and out of the car as soon as we get there. I'd be lost without it.

Good advice! Too hot or too cold can affect the computer section of the machine!

I don't leave my sewing machine in the car but my DH left the laptop in the trunk for over a year. Surprisingly it still works. I didn't think it would after being left thru a very cold winter and a hotter than usual summer. It was in a case. I don't know if that made a difference or not.

I LOVE EACH OF YOU ANSWERS, I just don't feel safe leaving much of anything in my car, the joy ride is to common these days.
Happy sewing everyone.

Good idea and remember that computer sewing machines stuck in a "hot" trunk will ruin them too.

Ditto with the seat belt around my machine!

I had to chuckle how we care for our sewing machines.. every time we moved I never let the professional movers move my sewing machine .. it came in the car with me (no matter how full the car was with all the other junk and kids... the sewing machine was in the car!!) LOL!! hugs
Quiltinmama

Computers are affected by extreme temperatures---hot or cold. That is why computer rooms of businesses are climate controlled. (DH worked with the main frame computer at a bank for 45 years.)

On a similar note - do you have a surge protector for your computerized sewing machine? Our house got hit by lightning 3 years ago & all our electronics were ok because our tv's & computer were plugged into surge protector but not my computerized sewing machine. When I talked with the retailer I bought it from, the 1st thing he said was "How is your sewing machine?" I hadn't even thought about it. It was fine but since then I keep it plugged into a surge protector extension cord. Just a footnote, the lightning blew out a ceiling fan, a ventilation vent from the ceiling, travelled 3 floors down to the basement & blew out the entire phone system in the house. We got away very lucky as it easily could have started a fire. Never underestimate Mother Nature !!!

I believe all this to be true, but it makes me wonder what the car manufacturers do to the computers in the cars to enable them to withstand temperature extremes. They must be doing something....:confused:

This just doesn't make sense. All electronic equipment has both operating temperature ranges and storage temperatures. The storage temps are almost always wider than the operating temperatures. Most industrial electronics have storage temperatures between -40C to 70C. Operating temperatures are much narrower, more like 0C to 40C. If your car trunk is in a Canadian winter and sits outside for 3 days, you could get -40C. If your car trunk is in Arizona in the summer, you could easily get well above 40C. But as long as you let your electronics adjust to room temperature before you use them they should be fine. Do you really think the ships and trucks used to ship your electronics are temperature controlled? The equipment sets for weeks/months in those on the way to you from their overseas manufacturing facilities.

I would have no problem at all leaving my machines in my trunk in the cold. I would be more cautious in hot weather though, and I would give them a number of hours before I turned it on. By the way, can you tell I manage electronic development programs?

Pam

If for any reason you leave any electronics, computerized or not, in extreme tempatures, either hot or cold, you should allow several hours to come to room tempature. It's not the tempature that can cause damage, it's the moisture and moisture doesn't like electricity. It shorts them out. That is why you see those little packages in all the boxes.

I also strap my machine in the car if I HAVE to take it out also it's computrized so stays indoors for that reason as well

You might be dtempted to leave your sewing machine in your trunk if you belong to a weekly sewwing group where you bring your machine to. That is how one of the Guilds I belong to operates. We work together on our own projects offering each other help when needed. I have been tempted to leave my machine in my trunk when I have had a lot of things to carry upstairs.

I don't even leave mine in the attic space in the house for the same reasons. Too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. (The attic space is adjacent to my sewing space in the loft)
So the only trips my machines get is to workshops, retreats, or vacations. And the cabinet models just stay home.

Any temp change is an issue with machine...computer or not. Please let them warm up or cool down before using.
If I am taking my machine to a show during winter it is in a case and a polar fleece blanket is wrapped around it...sounds crazy, but...I love my machines.

I agree with CanoePam. As long as you can let it come to a normal temp, you should be OK.

On nights that I have a class, it it's going to really cold or hot during the day, rather than leave my machine in the car all day, I have DH meet me along the highway to give me my machine. I just don't have enough time to get the machine to a normal temp before class starts.

I too use surge protectors for both my sewing machine and my iron. Many years ago before they were available we lost several appliances during a summer thunderstorm.

Also, as I have a bad back it is sometimes difficult for me to bend over to plug and unplug the iron and as you know, most new irons do not have a true shut off switch. My surge protector is on the floor and I have discovered that I can turn the iron off and on with the button on the protector with my foot.

FYI: Make sure you by a surge protector and not just a power strip. You also need to make sure that the protector has a high enough joules rating to protect your equipment.