Sandy-Having lived in Utica, Rochester and Buffalo I can appreciate your
take on the weather up there.  Humidity has a much great impact on wood
expansion than temperature.

I have routinely left  my harpsichords at 50 deg. for extended periods with
no problem but I keep the humidity above 40. Low humidity is probably the
biggest danger to musical instruments--more than the cold. "Pans" are not a
reliable and controlled way to maintain humidity. I would buy a large water
capacity humidifier (Home depot has a 6 gal. for under $100), set it at
around 40%,  and have it filled periodically. If you can confine the space
where the instruments are stored I would expect you could get several days
running time on a tank. I agree with Anne on covering and Dongsok regarding
abrupt changes in humidity.

regards
Fritz

On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 8:03 AM, Sandy Hackney <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Dear friends,
>
> I must be away all of February, one of the coldest and driest months in
> upstate New York.  I have several keyboards - a Flemish double, a virginal
> and a spinet - in a 10 x 20 x 10' tight studio.  How to keep them happy for
> one month?
>
> Two thoughts.  I can maintain the heat at 50F and have some large flat pans
> filled with water that can be replenished once a week.  Or, turn the heat
> off and let them sit below freezing, but wrapped in blankets.  It is not
> possible to have the humidifiers refilled daily as I normally do.
>
> What is the considered wisdom of my experienced colleagues?  Thank you.
>
> Sandy Hackney
> Easton, NY
>
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::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Note:  opinions  expressed on HPSCHD-L are those of the  individual con-
tributors and not necessarily  those of the list owners  nor of the Uni-
versity of Iowa.  For a brief  summary of list  commands, send mail to
[log in to unmask]  saying  HELP .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::