Moving Electronics
The A+ Team Recommends these tips when Moving Electronics
The A+ Moving Team recommends the following tips when you move home, office or other electronics to prevent any damage. If you take these extra steps before moving electronics, your components should arrive intact.
Audio and Video Components
If you don’t have the owner’s manuals, or even if you do (they can often be found online), you may want to draw a diagram or use your cell phone camera to take a photo of the wiring configuration to help you reconnect your components correctly after your move.
Another good tip is to put small pieces of matching colored tape on the ends of the cables and on the corresponding inputs and outputs of the components. You can even buy organizing kits from your local office supply store.
Remove all discs from your CD and DVD players before packing to prevent scratches to your discs and damage to the laser in your player. This is also be a good time to make sure that all your discs are back in their proper cases. Some players come equipped with a “transport screw” usually located underneath the unit (check the owner’s manual). Tighten this screw before you pack your player, which will immobilize parts of the mechanism.
If your unit comes with a cartridge (stacker) for multi-play, remove it before packing. The cartridge can be wrapped and packed in the same box as the player. All trays, whether single or multi-play, should be in the closed position before packing.
The best way to move your components is in the original boxes with the original packing. Understandably many of us do not save them, so it is best to use boxes with enough room for adequate packing material if you don’t have the original boxes. You may also call us or check our material price list page and we can provide a sturdy packing container and materials. Packing material should snugly fill the excess room in the box so that the unit will not move around. Plastic bubble sheets make ideal packing material. Newspaper is not recommended, as it may not securely hold the unit in place.
If you have a remote control, be sure to pack it in the same box as your player. All wiring used with your player should also be packed in the same box if you have room. Seal the box with reliable packing tape. Use this same packing method for packing your receiver, speakers and other audio and video components.
Plasma and Flat-screen Monitors
Plasma TV displays can be difficult to ship because they are essentially two thin panels of glass with plasma, an electrically-charged gas, held in suspension between them. They are delicate and relatively heavy, we also recommend purchasing supplemental insurance as these plasma TVs are often very expensive. LCD screens, on the other hand, are lighter and less susceptible to damage, but still require careful handling.
If you are considering doing your own packing (not recommended for plasma TVs) be sure to let your A+ moving specialist know during the estimate that your shipment will include the TV and that special handling or crating may be required. We have the training to ensure your plasma TV will arrive safely and will make sure to place it inside the moving van to ensure its safe transportation as well.
While plasma televisions are susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures, mishandling and from operating at high altitudes, they are shipped worldwide by their manufacturers without damage. The key is the packing. Again it is very important whenever possible, you should use the manufacturer’s original packing container if you have kept it. Plasma TVs should always be shipped and stored in an upright position. Shipping the plasma televisions double-boxed and upright strapped to a pallet is recommended for larger units bigger than 50 inches.
If storage is involved, the requirements vary by manufacturer, but plasma TVs should be stored in a climate-controlled warehouse where the temperature does not fall below 15 degrees F or above 122 degrees F, and where the humidity does not fall below 10 percent or exceed 90 percent with no condensation. Such units should not be stored at altitudes above 9,800 feet. Again it is very important that you make the A+ Team aware of your delicate electronic equipment so we may take the proper precautions.
Some manufacturers recommend using only third-party specialists for dismounting and preparing plasma larger TVs for shipping, with professional installation at the destination for re-installation.
Personal Computers
It is important to manually back up all your data before moving your personal computers. We have dedicated a special section just for your computers and equipment here.
For quick suggestions please make sure to remove any CDs from the disc drive and close all drive doors. Shut down the computer and the monitor before disconnecting them. Draw a diagram or take a photo with your cell phone of the wiring configuration to help you hook up your system up after your move. Making sure to label each cable according to its corresponding piece of hardware is always highly recommended as well (use this method for your printer, monitor, modem, scanner, etc.)
As suggested earlier use the original boxes if you have them. Otherwise, use boxes larger than the equipment and use plenty of packing material, especially on the sides.
Printers and Scanners
Again, the original packing box and material is the best choice for transport because they are customized to fit your specific items. Make sure to remove ink cartridges from printers and pack them separately. If you are moving a laser printer, remove the laser ink cartridge as the toner may spill and contaminate the laser printer and printer drive. If you are moving an office pin printer, insert a piece of paper in the platen to secure the print head. Please read the section the A+ Team have written on packing your computer for more tips as well
At Your Destination
Taking careful steps once you have safely transported all of your belongings is just as important. Make sure to avoid plugging in electronics on delivery day if possible. You should wait 24 hours to allow the units (TV, stereo or even appliances such as refrigerators or otherwise) to acclimate to room temperature and humidity, especially during colder months.
Special items
During an estimate, be sure the A+ Moving Specialist is aware of any particularly unusual items you’ll be taking with you, such as a gym equipment, chandelier or in-ground swing set. Please remember A+ Moving Team often rely on our own or outside specialists to handle disassembling and/or crating (and un-crating and reassembling at destination) of such items as grandfather clocks, high-end appliances and home gyms. If you require special arrangements such as these please let us know ahead of time and make sure to note these items if you are filling out our online form.