Ampeg PF500, amp head... Question for you experts....

[king koeller]

Question, Is it ok to let the bass head stay in the car overnight when the temperatures are in the 20's...winter time. I bring the bass guitar (Fender 1957 P bass copy lawsuit model made in Japan by CAMEO) inside the house, yet I leave the bass head and speaker (Yorkville, Made in Canada ,15 inch celestion driver), in freezing car. It this Ok??? I probably should bring it inside, yet I have gigs 2 or 3 days in a row. Any insight will help me.....Thanks king koeller

 

[GreyBeard]

Question, Is it ok to let the bass head stay in the car overnight when the temperatures are in the 20's...winter time. I bring the bass guitar (Fender 1957 P bass copy lawsuit model made in Japan by CAMEO) inside the house, yet I leave the bass head and speaker (Yorkville, Made in Canada ,15 inch celestion driver), in freezing car. It this Ok??? I probably should bring it inside, yet I have gigs 2 or 3 days in a row. Any insight will help me.....Thanks king koeller

Mine spent 2 years in a unheated shed when I took some time off. It spent some time below zero last winter. This spring I fired it up and it was fine. I used it this evening. You have nothing to worry about.

 

[Oren Hudson]

...You have nothing to worry about.

Correct.

 

[BassmanPaul]

You should wrap that little amp in a nice warm blankie to keep it Snuggle Bunny warm on a winters night waiting for it’s owner to come back and pet it.

Or is that a dog?

 

[pcake]

would the amp be fully cooled when you leave it in the cold car?

 

[beans-on-toast]

It’s a tiny amp that weighs 11 pounds. Take the time to carry it inside for the night. Less chance of it being stolen.

 

[sharkbait130]

It shouldn't be a problem leaving it in the car. I always take mine inside. I got in the habit of doing that when I was running a tube head and didn't want to take ANY chances with it. If it is out in the car , it is subject to condensation , humidity changes and temperature expansion and contraction. While all of this is highly unlikely to be a problem my feeling is why take any chance at all. Heck , after lugging that 85 pound monster for several years , the 11 pound PF500 isn't even task.
O.K. so after posting all this crap about humidity , temp. changes , bla bla bla , I have an old Peavey Mark 6 (my back up head) that has lived in the back of my truck for about four years now with no ill effects.
What? This post hasn't been any help at all? I'm a hypocrite for saying one thing and doing another? I should have just minded my own business and not mucked everything up with a confusing post? O.K. Never mind.

 

[pfschim]

I don't think passive exposure to cold will do the PF500 any harm. I would let it warm up before powering it up.
I would be more concerned about condensation build up going from being very cold to a warm (and presumable more humid) environment.

good luck

 

[Sparky Mark]

I don't think passive exposure to cold will do the PF500 any harm. I would let it warm up before powering it up.
I would be more concerned about condensation build up going from being very cold to a warm (and presumable more humid) environment.

good luck

^This +++
If you take a chilled amp into a warm venue condensation will form on the cold parts which could cause a short circuit and kill your amp and/or cab. The cab could be less of an issue but the amp should be treated more carefully. Electronics and water are not a good combo.

 

[pie_man_25]

Temperature in the 20s? I assume you mean Fahrenheit. I've left mine in my car in -30C and it works just fine.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I don't think passive exposure to cold will do the PF500 any harm. I would let it warm up before powering it up.
I would be more concerned about condensation build up going from being very cold to a warm (and presumable more humid) environment.

My PF-500 used to basically live in my car. Was my backup amp so it very rarely if ever got used, and I'd bring it in the house when I needed the headphone/aux features. Started using that for silent practice more consistently so it's been inside for a while now, but a little cold won't do it much harm as long as you allow it to warm up to room temp and any condensation to dissipate before use as mentioned.

 

[king koeller]

thanks Everyone!!! I love puttin' my face in this bass place!!!!!!