Alan McKinnon wrote:
On Saturday 12 December 2009 21:42:13 Dale wrote:
And some would also argue that cycling power on and off is actually bad
for the rig as well. Keeping things at a constant temp is better than
fluctuating temps. The old expanding and contracting of material
argument. Sort of strange that computers that run a lot last a loooong
time.
This is perfectly true and a well-proven fact. Thermal recycling is not good
for electronics. It is good for your electricity bill though....
Tektronix did some proper lab tests many many years ago on their top-of-the-
line oscilloscopes. They found that the calibration interval could be tripled
if the rig was never switched off (just turn down the brightness overnight)
I know I have read that several times but I didn't know someone actually
tested the thing. I know my BBQ grill would be better off if I could
run it all the time. You have to understand, I had this little table
top grill that was stainless steel. I have had that thing for ages and
I loved it. I could cook some mean steaks and burgers on it. Anyway,
it didn't rust through but it just flaked off on the bottom. It is the
heating and cooling cycles that does this. I had the same thing happen
to a old wood burning heater we had ages ago. It just got old and the
metal was thin even tho it wasn't rusted or anything. It sure was
lighter going out of the house than it was coming in. It took six to
get it in but only two to take it out.
Isn't there metal in CPUs, memory chips and stuff? I know there is
silicone but I assume there is metal like copper or something in there
too. They can't like heat cycles either. They are so small nowadays.
Dale
:-) :-)
