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Uncle Jack

Dec 17, 2003, 6:06 AM

Post #1 of 11 (2610 views)

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Electronics and humidity

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Just got back from a trip to Manzanillo. It was great at the beach as it always has been in Mazatlán also. Although living here in Ajijic is fine, Patty and I really miss the ocean. After a few thoughts about maybe moving to the coast, a question arose.

How do you guys living on the coast protect your “stuff” from the humidity? I have to figure that you can just sit there and watch your computers, cameras, televisions, sound systems, sewing machines, etc., rot and rust away while you have another Pacifico.

uj

Marlene

Dec 27, 2003, 7:11 PM

Post #2 of 11 (2560 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Electronics and humidity

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At the risk of giving a less than helpful answer, I procrastinated in hopes that someone else would tackle this topic. The salty humidity apparently does increase the death toll on "stuff" I have been told, but haven't specifically seen it yet. Santana has what looks like a 100 year old TV and it still works, so go figure. I don't think it can be a huge problem judging by some of the other ancient things I see surviving nicely. For instance, his uncle has the first Honda generator ever made and it STILL WORKS. The guys in the dealership in Vancouver nearly laughed themselves into a coronary when we went in to try to buy some bits and pieces to keep it humming another 30 or 40 years. They asked "Why don't you just buy a new generator?". Santana, looking a little taken aback said "because it STILL works!" He went on to give a little lecture to the bewildered guys behind the parts counter about the practical way of life in Mexico. Humbled them in about 90 seconds. (I was highly amused and had a hard time keeping a straight face) Guess what? They rustled up the requested parts within about 2 days. (This after first telling us that there was no way on this earth there would be parts for their circa 1960's generator) Tio was elated and had a good chuckle at the idea that he should buy a new generator. Indeed! It still works just like a new one.

Santana says that by covering things while not in use it will prolong the life span. Don't know if this is a scientifically proven fact or not, but he and his band diligently cover every piece of equipment before retiring it for the evening (after first wiping it down carefully). I have seen people cover their computers and fans with sheets or plastic covers. The "rustic rusty" look is not that attractive for the most part, but paint revives all. And your skin will be lovely from the humidity! Or is that from the Pacifico? Who knows! It's all good.

(This post was edited by Marlene on Dec 27, 2003, 7:11 PM)

jennifer rose

Dec 27, 2003, 8:35 PM

Post #3 of 11 (2553 views)

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Maintenance

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Dust creates a similar problem. Many of us keep the doors and windows open all year ‘round in Mexico, having lived in hermetically sealed dwellings back in the Old Country.

Repairs are available at affordable prices here. Case in point:

Last night my washer decided to leak water, and I feared that it was in the throes of its last hurrah as it approached its twelfth year in use. I spent the night dreading the purchase of a new one. The repairman, an authorized Whirlpool guy, came this morning, quickly identified the problem, and said it would cost about $400 M.N. for the service call and a new part. He comes about once a year to maintain and clean my dryer, refrigerator and stove, charging about $200 M.N. per appliance. Yearly maintenance and major repairs are something I never would’ve entertained in the Old Country, simply because it was less expensive to buy new every five years or so. I asked him how much life was remaining on the washer, and he indicated that he could keep it going as long as I wanted.

Look around you at how offices and stores, even in your area of Ajijic, treat some of their electronics. They cover their keyboards, and even wrap calculators in Saran. Take a look at some of the antique Xerox copiers still in use. People here seem more aware of their investment in these items, and they seem to take better care of what they’ve got.

Marlene

Dec 27, 2003, 9:53 PM

Post #4 of 11 (2540 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Maintenance

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Excellent points made here. Our "throw away" mentality up north is a foreign concept (pardon the pun) here. There is no doubt in my mind that if the Whirlpool guy told Jennifer that her washer will perform for as long as she wants, it will indeed happen. I did not know about the yearly maintenance on appliances other than perhaps a/c's, so thanks for pointing that out. The dust IS a culprit, and right, my house IS wide open 365 days a year. (Dust bunnies run rampant and they multiply)

Seriously though, this isn't often talked about. That being the fact that something CAN and usually is coaxed into living forever here. That is a huge cost of living savings. The labor IS unbelievably cheap by home country standards, and they will fix what is broken.

Another example; Yesterday we took my gracefully aging, but seriously babied, newly arrived in Mexico, Mercedes Benz "Sady" to a mechanic. Santana was hovering like an expectant father while the team of mechanics (I mean at least 4 of them) discussed just how they were going to a) extracate the oil filter (proved difficult for them with different tool sizes) and b) find a new filter for her here in Mazatlan. Turns out that parts for Mercedes are not readily available in Sinaloa. Did that deter the mechanics? Not likely. They called the special oil filter guy (like a doctor, he appears to do house calls). He arrived in a recent model vehicle, carrying a nice leather case, popped it open, and handed the mechanics (still 4 of them) what he thought would work in Sady.

My hubby came dashing over and bet me that I couldn't guess which oil filter was going to work. (I was just thankful that any would!) He pointed to a little VW Bug on the repair lot. That one! No kidding. While the new VW oil filter was being installed, the garage owner and the on call filter guy poured over the Repair Manual I brought from Canada, nodding appreciatively.

I predict some future scientific experiments will somehow be performed. The garage owner says that while the parts must be ordered from the USA - "I can get them through Tijuana".. Looking good for Sady's life span. Oh, and the final tally after all was said and done? Unbelievably under $300 N.M. I was blown away. This included 6 litres of oil, the new filter hand delivered by the oil filter guy, and the curiousity and time of 4 mechanics plus the owner for at least 2 hours. Viva Mexico!

(This post was edited by Marlene on Dec 27, 2003, 10:03 PM)

Brian

Dec 28, 2003, 4:03 PM

Post #5 of 11 (2496 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Electronics and humidity

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In response to your question, when we were living on the coast in Baja California, everything metal began to rust away and become unusable after about a year, satellite dish, locks, tv remotes, scissors etc. We solved the problems indoors by purchasing a dehumidifier at Sears. BTW, your car will begin showing signs of corrosion and it would be wise to trade it in every few years. Obvious rust will destroy its resale value. The ocean is beautiful but there is a high price to be paid for living there.

Adrian

Jan 4, 2004, 5:14 PM

Post #6 of 11 (2405 views)

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Re: [Brian] Electronics and humidity

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Here in Tampico, electronics suffers from 2 directions. The effect of the sea is minimal on most modern electronics as the circuits tend to be coated against corrosion - my vintage tube radios are suffering, however. I also find that tools need to be lightly coated in WD40 or machine oil to prevent rust.

But far worse is the electrical system. The wall outlet voltage regularly hits 140V and many regulators can't even handle that to bring it down to a sensible level. This dramatically shoretens the life of TVs, VCRs etc. I have worked around this by having all sensitive electronics in my office run through a variable transformer that brings the voltage down to a safer 117V before regulation. Hopefully, this will extend the life of this new PC I am using!

Adrian

johanson

Jan 4, 2004, 10:45 PM

Post #7 of 11 (2382 views)

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Re: [adrian_j_r] Electronics and humidity

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It is true that the newer voltage regulators only drop (change) the voltage by a little more than 10 volts. I understand though, please correct me if I am wrong, that things are rated for 130 volts here in Mexico while things up North are rated at 120 volts

If it is important to have a voltage regulator that corrects more than 10 volts or is it 10%, try to find an older larger voltage regulator. Often these older voltage regulators can change the voltage by more than 25 volts.

Rolly

Jan 5, 2004, 4:19 AM

Post #8 of 11 (2377 views)

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Re: [johanson] Electronics and humidity

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Here in Lerdo we don't have an over-voltage problem. Our problem is the line frequency; it is a tad faster than 60 Hz. As a result, all my electric clocks run fast. Very annoying.

Rolly Pirate

shoe

Jan 5, 2004, 6:50 AM

Post #9 of 11 (2364 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Electronics and humidity

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Just a thought. For those of you that are worried about the over/under voltage problems I suggest that the next time you are able to buy a UPS (Universal Power Source) get one. I brought mine down from the states which I bought at Best Buy for $60 USD and that should take care of your worries. Other are available for more or less money giving more or less support. Mine gives me 11 minutes of power after power is lost but it also has the ability to save the computer system as it hooks up with a serial port and has software to take care of everything. Nothing is ever lost. This same box has additional receptacles for TV, VCR's and other things you may want to protect along with your computer. All that I have seen have surge protection and work quite well.

UPS systems must be available here in Mexico but I have not looked at them.

shoe

Nothing is intrinsically good or evil, but its manner of usage may make it so.
-St. Thomas Aquinas

Carianna

Jan 10, 2004, 7:30 AM

Post #10 of 11 (2287 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Electronics and humidity

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We live 3 blocks from the ocean in downtown San Miguel, Cozumel and only close things up and use AC at night when it becomes unbearably humid. The rest of the time the windows are wide open to the elements. We don't even have screens.

Our computer monitors have been hanging in there. No problems even with models that have been here for 3 years. Our computers need to be opened up and dusted every couple of months. It really, really helps. Also we leave our computers on 24 hours/day which, we feel, takes care of the humidity problem. So far the computers have hung right in there with no repairs needed and its been a year for one and two for the other. I have a lot of friends here, however, who have constant problems. The guy who repairs them tells us the culprit is usually the dust.

Even stainless steel seems to get rust patches on it. Ditto supposedly solid copper hinges from the US which I'm beginning to wonder about now. Car is getting little corrosion patches on it but as its a 93 taurus we got down here during one of the brief runs of the Yucatan Express in December of 2002, we don't care and just plan to drive it until it collapses into a pile of rust. This being a small island there's not much need to drive a lot anyway. We use bikes around town, for example.

Appliances are 3.5 years old and I'm not seeing any problems with corrosion. So far.

Poncho32

Jan 11, 2004, 8:25 AM

Post #11 of 11 (2245 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Electronics and humidity

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I have found on cars if you do two things you will hold down problems on rusting.

One have the under side of the car pressure washed ,let dry, then have a heavy coat of under coating applied.

Two keep a good coat of wax applied at least every three months.

The wax is also good for all of your metal appliances.

Now I have a question , does anyone have a cure for rubber deteriorating?

We live here in Vallarta and over the 34 years we have brought down such things as sponge mops and with in a year and a half they fall to pieces.

Bud