Keep Flat Screen TV in rig over the winter??

Every major mfg. has both minimum and maximum storage temperatures, that have been posted here many times… they also have a temperature range below which it shouldn’t be operated… it’s just everyone here knows more than the mfg. and is quick to point it out…

None of the mfg actually say what would happen to the TV if not stored properly though…

I am just guessing here that you run the risk shortening the life of the unit by not following the mgs advice…

I am sure there is a reason they spend the time and money testing and setting the recommendations… again I am guessing that is the point where you assume all economic risk for not doing so…

So like all other things it’s a choice we should make with the best information available…

one caution, that might not always be the most popular advise given on an internet web page…

n7bsn wrote:
Question, how many people have actually like RTFM (Read The Fine Manual)? You know the one that came with your TV?

The specs for LCDs vary with type, manufacturer, etc, etc, etc. I've seen storage specs that vary from -60F to -4F.

You know it's just possible that the display screen in your car has a completely different spec then the one in your TV. That the one for your car is designed for really cold temps and the one in your TV is not.

Check your owners manual for the TV, I will bet there is a Operating Temp range and a storage Temp range specified. Along with the note that the spec is for "non-condensing" ie, low moisture.

The one in our rig is specified to be stored to -20F, but operating is +32F.

The last one I bothered to read came with the 32" Toshiba that came with the camper...it was a generic manual for 4 different models (including LED models) that was useless beyond belief. Nothing about storage temps.

Thanks for the posts I'll leave it and they are powered down for winter.

michers - Condensation used to be a real big problem back before televisions became 100% solid state. Those old tube sets had huge transformers and radical voltages in play. As a kid I remember having two different televisions "blow up" when we returned from vacations. Both times were in the summer and our house was not air conditioned. One time it was the picture tube that blew out. The other time there was big pop and an actual puff of smoke, and the TV was dead meat, and not repairable.

trigley wrote:
Ours stay in & have done so for years. Temperatures to -40 but fairly dry. As others have said let them warm up before using.

X2. We leave them both in plasma and lcd no problems.

Question, how many people have actually like RTFM (Read The Fine Manual)? You know the one that came with your TV?

The specs for LCDs vary with type, manufacturer, etc, etc, etc. I've seen storage specs that vary from -60F to -4F.

You know it's just possible that the display screen in your car has a completely different spec then the one in your TV. That the one for your car is designed for really cold temps and the one in your TV is not.

Check your owners manual for the TV, I will bet there is a Operating Temp range and a storage Temp range specified. Along with the note that the spec is for "non-condensing" ie, low moisture.

The one in our rig is specified to be stored to -20F, but operating is +32F.

Ours stay in & have done so for years. Temperatures to -40 but fairly dry. As others have said let them warm up before using.

Crabbypatty wrote:
I heard that the screens could crack in the cold.

This is what I love about the internet. You can come here, or look up actual facts about something "somebody said." Perhaps you were having coffee with your buds, and one of them said that. Can you imagine the look on his face if you said "No, that's not true." The truth can ruin friendships.


lcd freeze 2009
LCD cold 2012

Used to remove it and take it into the house . One year I had surgery and did not get it in on time. Nothing was wrong with it the next time I used it. So I got lazy and left it alone. no troubles. Just let it warm up, which I would assume you would anyway. Don"t think you would go out today at below 0 to watch the game???

Personally, I'd be more concerned with condensation affecting the electronics in the television rather than the cold.