Nord User Forum

[JayDee]

Weather forecast calls for 45.5 C in Phoenix today. Could easily get 70C+ in a closed car. The good news is that it's a dry heat. Comforting when you are melting like the bad witch in Wizard of Oz.

[Swampfox]

All of the electronics components are rated to OPERATE at normally at 70°C or less (circuit boards, resistors, capacitors, connectors are more heat tolerant but may not be rated higher). All of the plastics in our keyboards can be withstand higher temperatures than 70° C. Rated STORAGE temperatures are typically higher and often include cycles (repeated changes in temperature extremes - usually stated as X thousands of cycles) as part of the rating. In the US southwestern city of Phoenix, closed cars in the the summer sun can reach about 160° F - approximately 70° C. Of course these engineering ratings include "pad" to reduce risk.

Bottom line: I think the risk of damage to a modern keyboard instrument due to temperature on one summer, sunny day in a closed car in one of the hottest climates in the US is lower than the risk of someone breaking a window and stealing it. Maybe lower than the risk of the car (and keyboard) being stolen...

To answer the OP's comment/question, here is what I would have done to get some needed sleep with minimum worries:

• Put the keyboard in the trunk or otherwise hide/cover it.

• If the keyboard is in the passenger compartment, slightly open windows on opposite sides to allow air flow without making it easy for an amateur their unlock the doors from the outside. A pro thief will have the right tools (or a heavy object) needed to get in anyway.

• Park the vehicle in the shade, if possible.

• Insure my equipment against loss and theft.

• Keep my old keyboard as a backup.

I agree that all the individual components are unlikely to fail by being in a hot car. Yet, keyboards are electro-mechanical devices where parts of different co-efficients of expansion are mated. I think is is arguably worse for the wear and tear, and even possible that the instrument will not function the way one is accustomed until it reaches equilibrium again. It's certainly not the end of the world but personally I'd avoid it if possible. Acoustic instruments are a totally different story, where rapid changes in temperature and especially humidity can raise havoc.

[Berretje]

>But I have really long day and an important gig later. Packing it up now and leaving it in the car all day will save me 90 minutes of driving <

You have a really long day where? The office? Bring your keyboard in with you. I'm not clear it's ever necessary to leave anything in a car that shouldn't be left there (keyboards, guitars, dogs, children)....and that 99% of the time they are left because it's just easier to do so. Just bring your keyboard with you. And if it's a situation where you can't stash it - like you're at Disneyworld riding their attractions - then check it in at the coat check. Where there is a will, there's a way. Plus if your car gets stolen or vandalized you aren't out a $4000 Nord.

I'm sorry, but to me this is like asking "how long can I leave my Nord out in the rain?" I'm sure there is a set amount of time before the instrument is beyond repair. But you're never going to do it. Make that the same policy with leaving your precious and expensive keyboard in a car for hours.