preach
preach UberDork
9/2/24 4:12 p.m.

Can any kind of flat screen TV survive freezing temps?

I have three right now and would love to put one in the shop but LEDs freeze I think. What about plasma?

VolvoHeretic
VolvoHeretic SuperDork
9/2/24 4:24 p.m.

I've had a 58" Samsung go through 4 or 5 winters at a cabin in ND that we let deep freeze with -20 F degrees temperatures with no ill affect. Same with a stereo for 20 years. If I show up in the winter, I wait until everything has warmed up and stabilized to normal temperatures and had a chance to dry off any condensation that might have collected as frost.

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) UltimaDork
9/2/24 4:44 p.m.

I had a mid-2000s 37" Vizio LCD that graduated from our living room to my non-climate controlled pole barn, and it lasted another 10 years of Michigan winters before it finally kicked the bucket.

But if you're unsure, they do make outdoor-rated TVs.

pres589 (djronnebaum)
pres589 (djronnebaum) UltimaDork
9/2/24 4:53 p.m.

I think if it is kept pretty clean and definitely dry it should be fine down to well below what it would see in use that you're considering.  I am planning on doing something similar with my garage and my plan is to throw a light towl over the monitor I want to put on the wall when it isn't in use so crud stays out of it.  Temps don't worry me; junk building up inside does.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
9/3/24 9:58 a.m.

It will be fine.

Scenario for me:  I have a camper that I leave at a campground in Canada.  In 2004, I bought a flat screen LCD for it, and it has survived Canadan winters for 20 years.  I finally replaced it this summer because the audio board must be malfunctioning because the audio output was garbled, but the display was still fine.  I brought it home to be a spare monitor in the studio.

wae
wae UltimaDork
9/3/24 10:06 a.m.

Also had a very cheap TV mounted in an RV that is parked outside.  I had it for 6 or 7 years and it was still working when I sold the RV.

stuart in mn
stuart in mn MegaDork
9/3/24 11:28 a.m.

This is what Samsung says, other brands typically have similar temp ranges for storage and operation.  I'm sure they are conservative on their ratings, but I wouldn't push it.

Samsung TVs can operate safely in rooms or areas in which  temperatures range from 50° F to 104° F (10° C to 40° C). Temperatures outside the listed range will negatively affect the operation of your TV.

Samsung TVs can be stored unused at temperatures ranging from -4° to 113° Fahrenheit (-20° to 45° Centigrade). Storing your TV at temperatures outside this range can damage your TV.

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH MegaDork
9/3/24 4:03 p.m.

They might not operate normally at very low temps but they'll survive them just fine, often in a cell phone the first thing that will malfunction in deep-negative temperatures is the battery. My Toyobaru's aftermarket headunit LCD has survived temps down to -20C~-30C many times.

For my business I've had to use my cell phone (with an OLED screen) and other electronics with monochrome LCDs in temps around -20C~-30C and they haven't given me any trouble.

Edit: Batteries are another story though, batteries hate that E36 M3...

preach
preach UberDork
9/3/24 5:01 p.m.

Good news! Thank you.

11GTCS
11GTCS SuperDork
9/3/24 7:37 p.m.

In reply to preach :

I've had a cheap 32" flat screen smart TV at the island house for about 10 years now, it always works in the spring after a winter in an unheated house.  I haven't tried using it when it's cold so that may be another consideration.

gearheadmb
gearheadmb UltraDork
9/3/24 8:24 p.m.

I have an El cheapo Walmart TV that has been living in the barn for a few years of ohio winters. It's doing fine.

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