Electronics Failing While In Storage

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SUMMARY

Electronics can fail during storage due to factors such as humidity and the degradation of components over time. Devices like the Lumix camera and Roland keyboard demonstrate that even when unused, electronics can suffer from issues like blank screens and power supply failures. The discussion highlights that many consumer products are designed with a limited lifespan, often leading to failures shortly after the warranty period. Long-term storage can exacerbate these issues, particularly with components like electrolytic capacitors that require reformation after being idle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electronic component functions, particularly electrolytic capacitors
  • Knowledge of humidity effects on electronics
  • Familiarity with consumer electronics design principles
  • Basic concepts of electronic storage and maintenance
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for reforming electrolytic capacitors in stored electronics
  • Learn about humidity control techniques for long-term electronic storage
  • Explore the design principles behind consumer electronics longevity
  • Investigate the effects of condensation on electronic components
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Electronics enthusiasts, repair technicians, and consumers interested in maintaining the longevity of their electronic devices will benefit from this discussion.

Hornbein
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I got my Lumix camera out of storage after about a year. When I power it up the screen remains blank. I can however record a photo or video blindly then review it on that screen. Weird, eh? Charging it fully makes no difference.

Next I got my keyboard out of storage. When I plugged in the Roland "wall wart" power supply there were two pops and it died. So what is the problem with electronics that are just sitting there in the dark? Neither one can be opened to inspect the interior. Fortunately the keyboard still works.

I live in tropical Bali but it is a pleasant environment. It isn't nearly as hot and humid as North Carolina. I'd say 70% humidity. Metal zippers do tend to spontaneously corrode.
 
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Consumer products are typically designed without regard to long life. If it lasted 5 years, you got what you paid for, storage time included. Moore's law and such comes at some cost to those of us that don't want to always be buying a new phone/laptop/printer/camera...

I can show you a 40 year old Tektronix oscilloscope that still works, but they weren't sold at Best Buy or Amazon. The electronic ignition in my 35 year old Toyota Pick Up still works great, always has, those designers cared about their end users opinion of reliability. They both had an investment in the value of their brand in their respective markets. I doubt that applies to modern keyboard manufacturers. There's a reason professional photographers don't buy their cameras from Panasonic. Likewise there's a reason that people like you and I do.

We all mostly live in a world where paying for reliability or longevity isn't valued.

Then there's this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Light
They don't turn it on and off.
 
I suspect that consumer electronics are deliberately engineered to die shortly after the warranty expires, presumably by buying cheap not-to-reliable parts. This maximizes profit and maintains steady cash flow. If the consumer is going to upgrade every three years anyway then it is the best choice for the consumer as well. I didn't know though that the stuff degrades even when sitting there unused. What about my backup discs? I better get a duplicate so I'll still have a record when the first backup dies. Just hope they don't die at the same time.

I once was the proud owner and operator of a far-flung network of 15 IBM PCs which at the time were each 15 years old. They were built like tanks. Never a problem.

Electronic music keyboards though, buyers tend to hang onto those indefinitely. There's always something the older keyboard can do that the newer generally better one doesn't. That's why you see men on stage with eight keyboards, especially if you have fans who expect that exact sound. Once my girlfriend complained because I had three keyboards. I showed her a man who toured with 36 keyboards. She was mollified.

I'm horrified by what is happening with automobiles in the USA. I'm glad that I live in such a way that I haven't owned an automobile for the last 22 years and hopefully never will again.
 
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Hornbein said:
I suspect that consumer electronics are deliberately engineered to die shortly after the warranty expires. This maximizes profit.
I hear this popular attitude a lot, but I am very skeptical. Cheap parts aren't that predictable. I think the point is that the designers aren't paying for parts that will last a really long time. They are likely choosing parts that will mostly last long enough. Also note that failures within the warranty period are very expensive for manufacturers, at least in markets where warranty claims are actually made.

There is also a question of reliability versus longevity. Some consumer products are so price sensitive that they don't care if some die quickly; the eBay model with brands that have no value. They might not care after your payment clears.

It's a nice conspiracy theory, but for an EE it would be really, really, hard to do. We don't actually know when that part will fail. We do have a reasonable, conservative, estimate for how long it will work. Think of the error bars and how you would choose them.
 
I think long term storage gives chemistry time to work. Following the condensation of moisture, adsorption onto the internal surfaces, permits the growth of microorganisms, metal whiskers or salt bridges.

Mains equipment that goes bang when you plug it in, is almost always the result of condensation. Airfreight needs to be protected from lower temperatures unless the package air is dry. Warm the equipment for 24 hours before turning it on. Electronic items pulled from storage may also need a warm-up period before being powered on.

Electrolytic capacitors must be reformed after being left discharged for a significant time. Circuits are rarely designed to reform their electrolytic capacitors after an idle period.
 
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Hornbein said:
So what is the problem with electronics that are just sitting there in the dark?
Moisture can build up in component (IC) casings and PCBs if they are not used for some time, then they pop once started up (or soldered). Look up MSL and 'popcorn effect'.

Heat during usage keeps moisture away.
After a while I've started to 'bake' recovered old electronics before any power up attempt.
 
Rive said:
Moisture can build up in component (IC) casings and PCBs if they are not used for some time, then they pop once started up (or soldered). Look up MSL and 'popcorn effect'.

Heat during usage keeps moisture away.
After a while I've started to 'bake' recovered old electronics before any power up attempt.
I guess I'll do that. They seemed to be sealed but apparently not.
 
Hornbein said:
They seemed to be sealed but apparently not.
If they were not sealed, then you could put items in a vacuum chamber. Maybe that could be as simple as a plastic bag and a vacuum cleaner.
 
On the other hand my music keyboard seems to have recovered from its narcolepsy. The headphone output used to occasionally shut down at random and not restart until it was good and ready. There was no pattern to it. It had nothing to do with heat. I had three keyboards of the same model and they all did this. It hasn't fallen asleep for a couple of months so I hope it is cured.
 
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  • #10
Hornbein said:
I guess I'll do that. They seemed to be sealed but apparently not.
Just keep the temperature tolerance of the device in mind.


Baluncore said:
Maybe that could be as simple as a plastic bag
As long term storage in humid environment a sealed plastic bag with some fresh (or freshly baked) desiccant is perfect.
 
  • #11
Hornbein said:
Metal zippers do tend to spontaneously corrode.
That suggests salt. How close to the ocean do you live? IIRC, I have read that certain fastener warranties are voided if you use them within 10 miles of saltwater.
 
  • #12
gleem said:
That suggests salt. How close to the ocean do you live? IIRC, I have read that certain fastener warranties are voided if you use them within 10 miles of saltwater.
Huh. Eight miles away from the ocean. Who would have thunk it?
 
  • #13
And don't forget: storage means they got physically taken out of their rightful place, put in a box, transported, set down (and then left unsupervised for a period time where things might have happened, or not, you can't be sure) - and then picked up, pulled out of a box, transported, and put back in their rightful place.

Sure, they should be able to take that but, statistically, thats a lot of unaccounted-for jostling.