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GEM Operational Temps range

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:39 am
by Noltgree
I been looking for this info and couldn't locate it.

What is the official operational temps of this device? Reason I ask is because I live in hot climate (texas) and don't know if the power adapter/usb plus the gem itself are suitable to be left outside inside a plastic box with temps of +100F during the summer.

Re: GEM Operational Temps range

Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 2:01 pm
by Teken
Noltgree wrote:I been looking for this info and couldn't locate it.

What is the official operational temps of this device? Reason I ask is because I live in hot climate (texas) and don't know if the power adapter/usb plus the gem itself are suitable to be left outside inside a plastic box with temps of +100F during the summer.
Operational temperature is quoted as 0-40’C / 32-104’F. As with all electronics heat is the major contributor to early component failure which primarily impact capacitors.


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Re: GEM Operational Temps range

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2019 9:48 am
by ben
We have a few customers that have them mounted outdoors or in garages without AC. What we suggest is to mount in a vented box, maybe with a fan, and within shade if possible to mitigate issues.

Re: GEM Operational Temps range

Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2019 3:04 pm
by Mustang65
As Ben mentioned, I am one of the members that has my GEM/DashBox mounted outside. I believe the highest temp recorded, inside the cabinet, was 97 degrees. The sun never hits the cabinet so that helps. I have since added a small vent at the top of the cabinet and use one of the cable insert holes on the bottom for a vent. I put a piece of window screen to keep the critters out. It has been there for about 2 years now with no issues. You can see pictures of my install (have already made a few upgrades) on my website http://www.how-to-doit.com/

You can use the 1 wire connectors on the main GEM board and plug in a DS18B20 with a 4.7K ohm resistor and the GEM will monitor the temperature inside the cabinet. A small 5 volt computer muffin fan should do the trick for you.

I just went outside and measured the temperature in the cabinet it is 88 degrees at 5:28PM, I also measured the temperature of the ground (sea shells) and the temperature is 82 degrees. So now I am thinking of putting a 1 inch PVC pipe at the bottom of the cabinet and running it down to about 5 or 6 inches above the sea shells which will, through natural convection, let the warm air escape out of the upper vent hole while drawing the cooler air through the PVC which goes down to the ground area. With a screen protecting the openings.