Your Questions: Is It OK To Leave My Gear In The Cold?

Joey Santos
Read time: 2 mins
Last updated 24 March, 2018

Digital DJ Tips reader Kent asks: “Once in a while I leave my DJ gear inside my car overnight after I come home from a gig. I live in a chilly place, so is this a safe thing to do or am I potentially damaging my gear? Thanks.”

Digital DJ Tips Says:

The issue here isn’t so much the cold, it’s the condensation and moisture that is likely to form on the gear when you bring it in to a warmer place, especially if you’re in a humid environment. This could potentially damage the internals of your gear and lead to electrical issues. You’ll also want to avoid leaving your gear out in places where there’s a chance of it dropping to freezing temperatures, especially if it’s an extended period of time as this could also damage your equipment – for instance, plastics may become more brittle in cold temperatures, leading to breakage and cracking.

On the other hand, if you live in a place where it gets really hot, leaving your gear in the trunk or in the passenger seat for extended periods of time can also lead to physical damage of your equipment, especially if it’s made of plastic or rubber – I’ve had some Midi controllers in the past warp as a result of me leaving it in my car’s boot for a few days (it can get absolutely scorching where I live). It didn’t help that my car’s parked out in the open without any shade: it basically turns into an oven during the summer!

Then there’s the issue of security – leaving your DJ gear in your car makes them a target for thieves looking for an easy “score”, and it’s quite easy to spot, particularly if your vehicle doesn’t have any window tint. Opening a car door or even smashing a window to get a laptop is fairly easy for seasoned burglars.

As much as possible, bring in your DJ kit when you get home from a show. This saves your gear from being exposed to potentially harsh weather and temperature conditions, plus they’re also being stored in a more secure area. This also gives you a chance to do a proper clean up and wipe down of your gear so they’re fresh and ready for your next gig.

Any cold weather / hot weather gear storage tips for our reader? Share them below.

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