Tool condensation

[jperigo]

This time of year there are freezing temperatures outside and my tools that sit in the van all night long develop condensation on them when I bring them into a job. I will pull out my meter and notice condensation on the display, all of this condensation so far has been on the outside but my concern is any condensation building up inside my meter or manometer or drill. Has anyone had any issues with condensation in the winter time damaging their meters, what do you guys do to prevent this?

[R600a]

I haven't had a problem but my meters and drill ride in a bag on the center console and I have the heat full blast when it is cold out. I drive a Tahoe so I eaven keep the rear on heat then if I get hot I roll the window down and turn the front heat down a tad. So my tools stay plenty warm. Also my refrigerants stay nice and warm just incase I need them. When I get a truck i will keep any sensitive tools in the cab.

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[EugeneTheJeep]

Mine have been exposed to condensation for about 35 years, get a little rust on them so you don't look like a rookie.

[Poodle Head Mikey]

I had a roll around type tool box bolted to the rear of my OSHA screen in most of my trucks. No wheels but plenty of drawers. I kept my non-LED trouble light in the bottom drawer and whenever it was below about 40-50º outside at night I always plugged it in to the house or the shop.

Warm tools in the morning, especially on a construction job, will make you think you just went to Work Heaven. Most of my meters lived in the top drawer and I never had moisture problems with them. But I really did it for my hands. <g>

I learned that trick when I was an auto / motorcycle mechanic. It was easier then because I just left the light on all the time.

PHM
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This time of year there are freezing temperatures outside and my tools that sit in the van all night long develop condensation on them when I bring them into a job. I will pull out my meter and notice condensation on the display, all of this condensation so far has been on the outside but my concern is any condensation building up inside my meter or manometer or drill. Has anyone had any issues with condensation in the winter time damaging their meters, what do you guys do to prevent this?

[jperigo]

Mine have been exposed to condensation for about 35 years, get a little rust on them so you don't look like a rookie.

Not so much worried about the wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers as I am about the digital electronic meters. Read on an electrician forum how a couple of guys have had meters blow-up in their hands due to condensation inside the meter while measuring 480V. Now doing residential most I check is 240V but I guess it could happen. Plus I don't want them to fail due to moisture so was just wondering.

[STEVEusaPA]

I take my tool bucket, my case with liquid gauges (for oil-pressure/vacuum), combustion analyzer and both meters out of my van and into the office (or my house) at the end of every day.
One for the cold (or extreme heat), and 2, they are the most valuable to me and would hate to have to replace them.

[Myhvacguy1]

When the weather gets to either extreme, I place all of my sensitive tools (meter, drill/driver, vacuum gauge, etc) in a bucket and take it in the house at the end of the day. The following morning, the bucket is the last thing I put in the truck after letting it heat/coil for a few minutes before heading out for the day.


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[EugeneTheJeep]

Never had a problem with my fluke meters, and my H10 rides in the cab for the winter.

OTOH, Fieldpiece, those things won't work below 20 degrees, and yes I do need to use it for outdoors.