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Related

USB Memory stick and freezing temperatures

Workshopshed
Workshopshed over 1 year ago

My car has an in built sat nav and to update it there is a process that involves copying some very large files onto a USB stick and sticking that in the slot in the car. The car needs to be running whilst updating.

I've a long trip (for which I don't need maps) coming up so I left the memory stick in the car overnight so I don't forget it.

But

The temperatures here are dropping to -4°C over night.

So my question is. Will this cause me any problems for the memory stick? Don't intend on repeating this regularly so it is a one off.

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  • Workshopshed
    Workshopshed over 1 year ago +6
    Quick update. The memory stick worked fine and the maps were updated on route. By the time we hit the new road the car knew about it. Saved us a 20 minute detour which we'd done on the previous two trips…
  • misaz
    misaz over 1 year ago +4 suggested
    Most probably it will work well. All flash chips which I have seen as far has working range set to standard -40 to 85°C. Possible very high humidity was the worse enviromental factor, I think.
  • cstanton
    cstanton over 1 year ago in reply to Workshopshed +4 suggested
    Even in a sealable bag there may already be elements of moisture, and moisture is your enemy here for when it melts, especially with condensation. If you can put in pre-dried silicone pellets sachets…
  • misaz
    0 misaz over 1 year ago

    Most probably it will work well. All flash chips which I have seen as far has working range set to standard -40 to 85°C. Possible very high humidity was the worse enviromental factor, I think.

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  • saadtiwana_int
    0 saadtiwana_int over 1 year ago

    This would qualify as -4 degree C of "storage" temperature. This should be no problem for the memory stick, as long as you don't have ICE freezing inside the memory stick itself Slight smile. 

    Enjoy your adventures!

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  • misaz
    0 misaz over 1 year ago in reply to misaz

    I checked some and it seems that vendors mention reduced temperature ranges on final products. For example, this (https://www.westerndigital.com/en-us/products/usb-flash-drives/sandisk-cruzer-blade-usb-2-0?sku=SDCZ50-032G-B35) has 0 to 45°C, but -4°C is still not very far from 0.

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  • Workshopshed
    0 Workshopshed over 1 year ago in reply to saadtiwana_int

    It came in a sealable bag so I'd put it back into that. Shouldn't generate ice

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  • cstanton
    0 cstanton over 1 year ago in reply to Workshopshed

    Even in a sealable bag there may already be elements of moisture, and moisture is your enemy here for when it melts, especially with condensation.

    If you can put in pre-dried silicone pellets sachets or similar in that bag too then it would help wick that moisture away during storage.

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  • baldengineer
    0 baldengineer over 1 year ago in reply to misaz

    I have seen very few consumer-rated flash chips (and many other ICs) with working ranges below 0°C. Their storage temperatures are probably rated for that, however.

    I doubt most USB flash drives are using industrial-rated devices. :)

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  • baldengineer
    0 baldengineer over 1 year ago

    For storage, cold temperatures slow down the charge decay of flash cells. So the colder the drive the longer the data retention.

    However, keep in mind that the capacitors used in it are probably super cheap dielectric MLCCs with severe temperature coefficients. Plus flash chips tend to be rated for above freezing operation. All that to say, let the drive (and other non-automotive grade) electronics warm up a bit before using them.

    In short, however, don't fret it.

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  • me_Cris
    0 me_Cris over 1 year ago

    A friend actually asked me something like that, he has a video camera (no name) on his car in which he inserted an sd card (no name) and one morning he woke up with a little surprise. The thing is that the temperature had not dropped below 0°C.
    My opinion is that there are electronics from which we should not have high expectations, they can still fail.

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  • Workshopshed
    0 Workshopshed over 1 year ago

    Quick update. The memory stick worked fine and the maps were updated on route. By the time we hit the new road the car knew about it. Saved us a 20 minute detour which we'd done on the previous two trips.

    Will definitely use some drying crystals if I need to store electronics in the car for long periods.

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