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How to Run a Computer in a Sub-Zero Environment?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the begging-to-be-overclocked dept.

Underdog asks: "I've seen tons of Slashdot articles on cooling hardware, but my company may be taking on the task of wiring a large sub-zero (as low as -14) warehouse with temperature sensors and the requisite network equipment and computers to read them. Our initial proposal includes at least a dozen acquisition computers, hung from the racks in the freezer. Does anyone have any experience with installing computers in extremely low temperature locations?"

4 of 152 comments (clear)

  1. Mac G4 by LennyDotCom · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I left a Mac g4 dual Proc on my back porch in Connecticut for over 3 years summer winter and fall sometimes in winter the keyboard would be covered in snow and I would just turn it over anrd let it dry out it's still working today. I wish I had a Dell siting next to it for a comparasin.

    Sorry about spelling and grammer

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    http://Lenny.com
  2. Toughbooks by Saval · · Score: 3, Interesting

    At least Panasonic Toughbook-29 seems to meet your temperature (and humidity) specifications:
    http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/df_tes t.asp#12

    Though that is only part of the solution...

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    --Saval
  3. A Chicken Will Do by KidSock · · Score: 4, Interesting

    During the Cold War it was proposed that a live chicken placed inside of nuclear bomb would be sufficient to keep things from freezing up. In the case of a computer I would suspect the ambient heat of the electronics would be adequate to keep things at a reasonable tempurature provided the compartment and insulation was good enough.

  4. Re:In addition ... by zero_offset · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You're exactly right. My little brother drives a forklift in a 10,000 sqft subzero area of an even larger freezer warehouse. Different areas are kept at different temps. He works the coldest section which is used to store steaks and shrimp. He has to wear an enormous arctic-explorer-looking insulated coat, giant insulated gloves, and these military boots I bought for him that inflate (creating an air barrier). The workers are only allowed in the cooler for 15 minutes at a time. And this is in the middle of Florida where the outside temperature passes the 100 degree mark most days. I'd be worried about bearing fluid thickening or siezing up completely.

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