Storage of Multiple CRT TVs

[andykara2003]

Hi, I have built up a collection of 6 CRT TV's, 5 of which I want to store in our garage. I'd like to build a wooden rack for them (floor to ceiling) to save space but I'll need to build in some kind of metal shielding into the rack to avoid them damaging each other with their magnetic fields whilst in storage. My assumption is that as they will all be stored vertically one above the other, I could just use a sheet of metal on top of each shelf to separate them.

Does anyone know:

1: how thick the metal sheet needs to be?

2: Which metal works best?

3: How much wider do the sheets need to be than the TV? i.e. can it be the same size as the TV base or will it need to be longer & wider to account for possible interference from the wider magnetic field?

4: If there might be a better solution?

Cheers.

[Ed Oscuro]

Regular magnetic fields won't do a thing to them while in storage. Humidity, grime, and temperature oscillations will, though.

Even in operation, magnetic fields won't likely damage these. The best CRTs from Sony are already shielded against magnetic interference while in use - even if they weren't, that would probably not cause anything more than picture abnormalities.

Don't know where you are or what the climate is like, but you're definitely focused on the wrong thing here.

[nasty_wolverine]

To add to ed's remarks, almost all modern crt's have builtin degaussers in them. If its going to be in long term storage, humidity, fungus, insects, critters are your worst enemy.

Also, turn them on once in a while. From experience, solid state equipment with regular use last longer.

[andykara2003]

To add to ed's remarks, almost all modern crt's have builtin degaussers in them. If its going to be in long term storage, humidity, fungus, insects, critters are your worst enemy.

Also, turn them on once in a while. From experience, solid state equipment with regular use last longer.

This is great advice guys, thank you. Just curious - I did store 2 TVs next to each other last year and there was some resultant (strong) discolouration in the screen corner of one of my Loewe (shadow mask) TVs - I had just assumed this was due to magnetic interference - Am I wrong about this?

[nasty_wolverine]

This is great advice guys, thank you. Just curious - I did store 2 TVs next to each other last year and there was some resultant (strong) discolouration in the screen corner of one of my Loewe (shadow mask) TVs - I had just assumed this was due to magnetic interference - Am I wrong about this?

Probably. Because, in the olden days, CRT's used to be stacked right next to each other in showrooms(and in my house) without ill effects.

If you have so many CRT's at home, you should get yourself a handheld degausser.

[andykara2003]

This is great advice guys, thank you. Just curious - I did store 2 TVs next to each other last year and there was some resultant (strong) discolouration in the screen corner of one of my Loewe (shadow mask) TVs - I had just assumed this was due to magnetic interference - Am I wrong about this?

Probably. Because, in the olden days, CRT's used to be stacked right next to each other in showrooms(and in my house) without ill effects.

If you have so many CRT's at home, you should get yourself a handheld degausser.

OK cheers - I will buy a degausser, thanks for the advice

[Endymion]

Degauss wands or coils are getting tougher to find. But one gadget that will work the same wonders is easily had and all over ebay. Search for: bulk tape eraser.

Storing stuff in adverse conditions is definitely going to be the bigger enemy over time. It may depend on the climate where you live, but in my neck of the woods an un-airconditioned garage would be a terrible place for a TV, any time of year. Best option: convince the wife to let you knock down that wall to add on to the house for a game room expansion.