Is it good idea to ALWAYS keep some silica gel packs (perhaps even inside a ESD safe plastic bag) inside retro computers' cases -not touching any board, in a cold location- while using them almost daily? Or maybe they're for long-term storing purposes only?
If it's all okay, how often should I replace them?
Thank you.
Only for long term storage.
If you have humidity problems in a room where you have computers, a dehumidifier is what you want to use.
deksar wrote on 2020-08-17, 13:49:Is it good idea to ALWAYS keep some silica gel packs (perhaps even inside a ESD safe plastic bag) inside retro computers' cases -not touching any board, in a cold location- while using them almost daily? Or maybe they're for long-term storing purposes only?
If it's all okay, how often should I replace them?
Thank you.
AFAIK, silica gel packs are meant for keeping enclosed environments dry . They need to be replaced or reconditionned (there are oven dryable ones, for example) once they get saturated with moisture, otherwise they become useless and can then even moisturize their environment .
My guess is that they will be utterly useless (saturate quickly) during using because of high airflow .
Otherwise, using a fresh one in an anti-static bag with a card for long term storage might not be a bad idea if you live in a humid environment .
cyclone3d wrote on 2020-08-17, 14:03:Only for long term storage.
If you have humidity problems in a room where you have computers, a dehumidifier is what you want to use.
100% agreed . If environment is only very humid in summer months, like where I live, using an air conditionner might be appropriate, as it will both dehumidify and cool .
