I have a detached garage where I want to store a backup TrueNAS server. The garage isn’t insulated and living in Berkshire County Massachusetts, the temp gets down to the teens out there.
Has anyone ever run a server in that type of cold? I was thinking of running it fanless and letting the CPU warm the enclosure.
Everyone is talking about condensation but what you really have to worry about is bugs and other critters. You are creating a nice warm haven in an otherwise inhospitable environment
Bugs will be a problem. Ladybugs will seek out warm places to snooze through the winter. Every fall I get a few in my basement equipment.
I think condensation could present an issue at such low temperatures, but I’ve never gone quite that cold.
Oooo that’s an interesting idea. I’d love to hear if this works.
Edit: thinking further after I sent that message. Fans or fanless wouldn’t change the amount of heat the computer creates. It’s still going to create the same amount of heat. I’d leave the fans in, just putting it in the location should be enough.
We have done a few installs in garages. Just ensure the system is protected from cold shocks. Everything in a sealed enclosure and vents with controlled fans that can adapt to incoming air temp.