Expert: Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr. - 3/5/2005

Question
I have a home in the Carribean thats ocean front.  Due to salt spray and moisture I have thrown away 2 stereos & have to periodically do repairs on electronics/appliances in part of house where roof has just barrel tile (for natural ventilation) next to a balcony facing the water.  I heard conformal coating is the way to go for protecting circuit boards.  I saw this page, http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/emotor/humid.html which sparked some ideas of how to deal with the problems alternatively, BUT I don't like the idea of conformal coat, having to take things apart nor building special enclosures.

Soooooo OF COURSE before doing anything,,,,,
I wanted to consult with someone that will critique a solution I have for protecting my workstation which is close to my balcony that consists of 2 monitors, 1 cpu & 1 all in one unit.  

1. get several silica gels, 4 trash bags & packing tape
2. make 1 hole in center / bottom of each bag (so cables can pass through).
3. put silica gels on inside of computer case ontop of drives and the bottom.
4.a. put bag on units, pass cables through hole in bag and tape cables & edge of hole up tightly with a silica gel.
 b. tape the opening rim of bag to the edge of glass on 2 monitors & all in one.... as for the tower tape up to edges of drive bays & buttons.

With this work?
What types of bags will work (contractor or thin kitchen heafty bags)

I appreciate anything constructive/usefull.  Thanks!

Answer
Two problems:

1. The silica gel would last about a day.  Silica gel is made to go in enclosed spaces, not exposed to the outside.  So you would need to seal the equipment and put the silica gel inside.

2, If you seal the equipment it will overheat and break down.  But on a monitor and computer there are way too many holes.  I don't see you sealing them all.  You would need to disable the fan on the computer or it will fry when sealed.


Sounds more like you need a room built with a controlled atmosphere, like a sunroom with a dehumidifier.