Humidity Help

[jkobler411]

Hello all.
I am just starting in the world of electronics. I have been tinkering with various Arduino projects. Recently, I have decided to build my first EE lab.
My problem is the only space that I have to do so is in my garage. I live in Florida and the humidity could be a problem.  How can I keep my equipment from getting destroyed in my garage,
or do I not have too much to worry about? I am thinking about purchasing a dehumidifier.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[stmdude]

I have my shop in my garage as well. I don't live in a tropical climate, but temperatures vary wildly, so condensation is definitely a worry.

I keep all my components in stackable transparent plastic boxes (slightly larger than a shoebox), and have a few pouches of silica gel in each. Keeps everything dry and its a great way to organize as well.

[jkobler411]

Thanks for the advice. You said you keep your components like that but what about your bigger pieces of kit, same thing?

[metrologist]

otherwise, higher humidity seems to help reduce ESD.

[Gyro]

It sounds as if you might want to partition off a smaller work area for your Lab. Maybe it could be something as simple as plastic sheet curtains or something more permanent. That would give a small dehumidifier a good chance of keeping things under control.

Do you have rust problems with any cast iron / steel tools in the garage? That would be the first indication that you might need to do something to control the humidity.

[stmdude]

Thanks for the advice. You said you keep your components like that but what about your bigger pieces of kit, same thing?

I don't do anything with those, if you mean power-supplies, DMMs, scopes, etc.

[Bear207]

Curious what would be a good humidity range for a lab?

[mcinque]

Me too, many hobbyist live also in a tropical enviroments and I'm curious to see any effects on the instruments with RH about 70/80%.
Many instruments specs are ok till 90% without condensing so should be safe,  someone can confirm this?

[CatalinaWOW]

I have used electronics professionally outdoors in Florida on numerous occasions.  In general it was not an issue, but with a key exception.  When on the beach or very near the beach the salt spray in the air was near instant death for electronics.  As little as two weeks exposure could be fatal.  The corrosive effects of this environment are not limited to electronics.  You should know from looking at cars, windows, signs and other gear near your house is too close to the ocean.   If your garage is that close to the ocean you may want to serious consider trading your electronics hobby for watersports.

[Bear207]

Living Maine we sometimes have wildly changing or different humidity in our homes.  My lab (early construction with no instruments) in the basement is running 55% RH and second floor near 20%.  This year has been worst in memory.   

Thanks for the input.

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