9 replies to this topic

[PebblzNnutz]

I'm about to head out to Utqiagvik (Barrow) Alaska in a couple days. One of the requirements of the facility managers of the place where I'm going to be staying is to place all our bags and luggage in a heater for about an hour and a half upon our arrival. The managers decision is based on as a precautionary tool to help protect their facilities from the bed bug epidemic within the State of Alaska. The memo I received didn't say how high the temps would be in the heater but based on my online research, temperatures around 120 - 130 deg F will kill off any bed bugs and their eggs. The manager said she would get in touch with their Health Dept. to confirm if all the electronics will be safe in the heater, but as of today we haven't heard anything from her. Should I be concerned about my laptop, D7200 and a few lenses being subjected to high heat for about an hour and a half? 

[Merco_61]

Why should that be a worry? Check the temperature in the boot of a parked car on a sunny day.

[PebblzNnutz]

Why should that be a worry? Check the temperature in the boot of a parked car on a sunny day.

Maybe because there are no parked cars here and sunny days average in the low 50F range during the summers?   Well, there are actually 4 trucks here.  Ones working, 2 are broken down and the last is really, really rusted.   
Seriously though, I've never experienced having anything go through a heater before and I don't want anything happening to my camera and the lenses I'm planning to bring along with me. Especially since I just got a D7200 to replace my drowned D750 that I'll be using until I get enough funds for another D750 or a D500.
 

[Merco_61]

I just checked. It is a 90°F day today and inside the boot of a neighbour's car it is well over 150.

[Snorky]

I'd remove all electronic items from your luggage. They can easily be inspected for bedbugs.

 

Recommended operating temperatures for the D7200 are 32F - 104F.

 

According to a camera repair expert: "Having been a camera repair tech for the majors, heat will cause the grease in the lens focusing assembly to leach out onto the diaphragm blades. It's a big gummy mess that usually requires a complete tear down and ultrasonic cleaning and dry lubing the blades with moly dust. It's actually worse than vibration damage, moisture, or cold, imho."

 

Batteries don't like being exposed to high heat either. Don't take a chance.  

[PebblzNnutz]

I just checked. It is a 90°F day today and inside the boot of a neighbour's car it is well over 150.

 

Boot, meaning the trunk of the car? If so, do they usually keep their camera gear in the boot of a car over there? Those times that I rode in a car my camera bag has been sitting on my lap.

I'd remove all electronic items from your luggage. They can easily be inspected for bedbugs.

 

Recommended operating temperatures for the D7200 are 32F - 104F.

 

According to a camera repair expert: "Having been a camera repair tech for the majors, heat will cause the grease in the lens focusing assembly to leach out onto the diaphragm blades. It's a big gummy mess that usually requires a complete tear down and ultrasonic cleaning and dry lubing the blades with moly dust. It's actually worse than vibration damage, moisture, or cold, imho."

 

Batteries don't like being exposed to high heat either. Don't take a chance.  

 

That doesn't sound good.

I just got word from the facility manager that we can take out anything that we don't want going through the heater. Whatever doesn't go through the heater will  need to be wiped down with clorox wipes instead. 

[Merco_61]

60°C (140°F) is nowhere near the levels where quality grease starts to migrate or batteries are damaged.

 

It is advisable to put things that can attract thieves away in the boot (trunk) of the car if a stop at a restaurant or something like that is planned. It is not always possible to take a big camera backpack everywhere.

[ScottinPollock]

I'd listen to Peter here. If I had a choice of cooking my gear at 140°F for an hour or two versus having a State or Federal employee mop it down with Clorox wipes, I'd go for the former.

Electronics are good to 190°F+, and LiIon batteries can actually be used up to 140, and stored at 158+.

Have no experience with oil/grease in lenses so caveat emptor in this regard.

[PebblzNnutz]

I'll let them go through the heater and see what happens. I thought about bringing along my Tamron 150-600 G2 with me, but I think I'll leave it at home just in case the lenses I bring along with me end up "cooking" in the heater. This way I could at least have one lens to work with later.

[PebblzNnutz]

Update
Only our luggage that we checked in with the airline goes through the heater. Carry ons like my camera bag didn't need to.

Thanks everyone.