Sam’s practice here is different than the inquiry by the OP. The problem arises from allowing it to cycle on and off. Leaving it on constantly should not be a problem.
Vic
Not sure about Atlanta, but here in Chicago the ambient temps and dew points cycle pretty good all on their own. Woke up this morning and have frost all over my cars. Technically deposition and not condensation, but same principal. Are you suggesting that is somehow not happening to my airplane engine if I don't have the heater on?
Mother Nature throws us all sorts of temp swings, some as large at 30* in a 24h period and sometimes with pretty radical humidity level changes. While I agree this is not good for what we are trying to avoid, it is happening daily whether we like it or not. Excluding, of course, those lucky folks with climate controlled hangers.
I am not providing a definitive answer here, but do know it is a bunch of complex science to assess the affects of moving ambients and dew points, along with shifting humidity levels and the effects of temp on saturation levels. Whether or not one or all of these changes will produce liquid moisture on a part is a pretty complex calculation and likely varies with each unique mix of variable changes.
For the record, I also feel that cycling a heater on and off is not a good thing to do for the reasons you imply. However, that is pure conjecture on my part and have no research or science to back that up; Just a logical conclusion based upon the limited knowledge that I have.
One thing I do know is if I take 10* air (air can hold very little moisture at this temp) and heat it to 70*, it will still have very little moisture content and therefore little to condense. Here in chicago winter, if I do not add moisture back into the heated air it will be very dry. That air contacting the 10* window pane WILL NOT create condensation, even though well below the typical dew point or 70* air. I will also be getting constant shocks from static buildup. If I turn on the humidifier and start adding moisture back into the air, then yes, I will start producing condensation on the 10* windows, as the supplemental moisture is raising the dew point / RH levels.