Drink Electronics Outside

[Scouse]

So I've a run-down dilapidated shell of a building (probably was an animal shed in the 1850's or something) that I'm thinking I can stick a quick-and-dirty a-frame and corrugated-iron roof on.

Spoiler

I've a couple of pretty good leather sofas that won't be going into our house that I'm going to bung in there. I can run some electricity over and stick in some LED lighting and construct a makeshift bar area out of some slate (or, probably, stick a rusty old log sawhorse I found that I use as a BBQ stand in there to support a barrel of beer for festive times).

However, I want to stick some electrical equipment in there but very much doubt it'd hold up.

E.G. - I've got a old but good stereo system that I've linked up to a chromecast audio which would otherwise get skipped but would be excellent for outside tunes. I've also got a pretty good and big fridge that will eventually become redundant that I can take over and stick in there too. However, even if the stuff is protected from direct rain it's going to get hit with condensation and for a good part of the year freezing temperatures.

The fridge might survive it - but the stereo, probably not?

Anything I can do in this situation other than store it in the main house until needed? (Would be a PITA that, and probably a no-go as we're seriously under-storaged - although I do have an intention to get a proper decent shed erected, with potentially a heating source that would keep things above freezing when necessary - which will probably be the subject of another thread next year some time).

Any advice?

 

[Embattle]

Ironically the fridge would probably have problems before your stereo due to the cold, whereas the stereo might succumb to damp.

 

[Scouse]

Ironically the fridge would probably have problems before your stereo due to the cold, whereas the stereo might succumb to damp.

I know that fridges like stable atmospheres but I did have one in a garage for years - proximity to the house probably meant it didn't get below freezing a lot but it worked flawlessly.

The damp thing, yeah - that's what I'm worried about with the stereo. It'd be damp in the mornings and probably suffer from pooling inside too because there wouldn't be a breeze running through.

Wondering if there's anything I could realistically do about that? :\

 

[Embattle]

If outside the ambient temperature of the fridge then ultimately it'll use more power to maintain the internal temperature and will be more likely to fail, but then if it is a throw away it isn't anything to worry about beyond the higher power usage.

Good ventilation seems to be a solution to reducing damp, although not having pools of water would also help but in the end it tends to be a balancing act. It might not be worth worrying about much since it is only going to be a temporary structure.

 

[caLLous]

Wondering if there's anything I could realistically do about that? :\

Short of making the building proper, not a lot.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

You an buy fridges that are designed for use in outhouses, that deal with lower ambient temperatures better. They do cost more.

What is it with you and corrugated iron? I hate the stuff, but maybe just have childhood memories of old rusty sharp dilapidated huts near where I lived.

 

[caLLous]

You an buy fridges that are designed for use in outhouses, that deal with lower ambient temperatures better. They do cost more.

I had a bog standard fridge freezer outside for years in a summer kitchen and it never suffered. Mind you, this was in the south of France. I'm not sure it would fare quite so well in the wilds of Wales.

 

[Scouse]

What is it with you and corrugated iron? I hate the stuff, but maybe just have childhood memories of old rusty sharp dilapidated huts near where I lived.

Cheap. It's not a permanent structure - and if I do ever apply for planning against the structure then already having some sort of roof will help.

You got a better temporary alternative?