Cold weather on solid state amps

[dbsfgyd1]

So I’ve searched a little bit and the general consensus is that cold weather (37~ degrees) should not have any effect on solid state amps. Last year around February I played a gig with a gk mb500 fusion amp. And about two songs in, the volume dropped drastically. Barely audible. Luckily I had a backup, my tc electronic bh500, plugged it in and no problem.

Then yesterday I played a gig with the tc electronic bh500 and in the first song, same thing! Volume dropped. This time no backup. I turned up the master volume to compensate which did ok but I could feel like it was feeling a bit weird.

The only “constant” is the bass manufacturer. That and the cold weather. First gig I played with an xotic xjpro vintage in blue with maple neck. But the gig yesterday was with my second xotic. Same make and model but different color. Fresh set of batteries (literally second gig with these batteries). No pedals, straight into amp, both gigs.

What do you guys think? Now I’m wondering if I need to get a new amp. I can’t have my amp bugging out on me beginning of the gig!

Back in the mid 70s after an 8 hour drive to a gig in Flint Michigan in February, temps around zero and equipment traveling in an unheated moving van, my Acoustic 301 amp failed when powered up. I can’t say for sure it was from the cold, bouncing around in the back of the truck for 8 hours in the cold, or a typical cold solder joint failure (no pun intended), but the tech said issue was a continuity break in the circuitry and it was a quick fix.

 

[Al Kraft]

but the tech said issue was a continuity break in the circuitry and it was a quick fix.

My money would be on bouncing around in the truck for the cause of this problem - and it wouldn't be the first time I've seen that kind of problem in electronic circuits from vibration.

 

[StatesideRambler]

The biggest trouble that cold weather causes SS electronics is condensation (especially internal) when you move it from cold air into a warm space. You need to give it time to warm up to something close to room temperature before applying power. If it’s in a case or a bag take it out first.

 

[Jefenator]

The manual for the G/K mentions: "Avoid using in extremely hot or cold locations and areas that are exposed to direct sunlight or near heating equipment."
The manual for the TC is a little more specific: "Protection mode can also be invoked if operating temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius or above 50 degrees Celsius, or if the amplifier is switched on immediately after being moved from a cold environment to an environment at room temperature."
37ºF does seem a little mild to me to be wreaking havoc with an amp. OTOH it is substantially below the 10ºC (50ºF) specified in that manual. (And definitely outside this player's normal parameters!)
I've had music gear misbehave at the other extremity, well before I would have supposed it should be an issue. Our Mackie mixer would fade out the mix and just start making a loud hissing sound; I thought it must be voltage, but the eventual cure was to shade it from the sun.
So, I dunno. If you must play outdoors off-season, maybe figure out a way to keep the head closer to room temp? (I see electric pet beds are a thing...)
I would at least explore that before buying another amp.

 

[Al Kraft]

37ºF does seem a little mild to me to be wreaking havoc with an amp.

...especially if it's already operating and would be self heating.

 

[zaviere]

Yeah I dunno. I’m beginning to think either it’s the preamp in the basses or it’s the battery issue. I understand the whole warming up the amp. But in this case I was taking it from my warm/room temperature car (40 min) ride and then taking it out into the cold. Not the other way around which would warrant the “warming up” factor.
I’ve definitely been rolling the dice for too long now tho. That amp has been working flawlessly for about two years now. Need to pack at least a DI pedal somewhere in my car.
Thank you guys for all your help and suggestions. Not sure when’s the next time I’ll play outdoors so hopefully it’s a non-issue until then at least.

 

[lankycharlie]

I have the TC electronic BH500 head, in the winter (UK) I leave my gear in the car during the day while at work, and go straight to rehearsal after, and find wen particularly cold, the amp wont start up, goes into protection mode, because of the cold / condensation.
lesson was, don't leave it in the car in the cold, not practical, but i dont want to damage my amp.

 

[seamonkey]

There is no systemic problem with solid state and cold weather.

Maybe it's a cable, pod, or bass jack thing. Or a speaker cable if it's 1/4". Cables and Jacks can shrink a bit. It's common for machine shops to freeze or warm tight fitting parts to get them to squeeze together. Some 1/4" aren't exactly 1/4"

Speakons provide a much more stable connection with tighter tolerances.