Armory Sponsor
Posted: 10/31/2011 9:23:27 PM EDT
|
What is an acceptable humidity level inside a safe?
I have a Fatboy sitting in the basement. I placed a thermometer that also measures the % humidity. After 24 hours the device recorded the temperature inside the safe to be stable at 61 degree and 43% humidity. The temperature fluctuates only a few degrees. Do I need a dehumidifier inside the Fatboy with these numbers? |
|
I've found that by taking my humidistat off the wall and placing it in my safe with the goldenrod that the humidity level is unchanged from the room that the safe is in. I don't believe that the goldenrod decreases the percent of humidty but rather raises the dewpoint by increasing the temp of the contents, thus eliminating condensation. My humidity level in my basement office ranges from 50% in winter to 68% in summer with no rust over 15 years with the goldenrod.
BTW: I've been using the same goldenrod continuously for almost 20 years. |
| I just check another 24-hr reading. Temp. varied between 58 to 61 degree today (it is snowing outside). And humidity varied between 41% to 43%. No golden rod or dessicant of any kind. I am going to get one of those "rechargeable" humidity control that you can recharge by plugging it into power outlet (rather than using the oven). We'll see how low the humidity will go. |
|
Quoted:
I just check another 24-hr reading. Temp. varied between 58 to 61 degree today (it is snowing outside). And humidity varied between 41% to 43%. No golden rod or dessicant of any kind. I am going to get one of those "rechargeable" humidity control that you can recharge by plugging it into power outlet (rather than using the oven). We'll see how low the humidity will go. I had one of those rechargeable desiccant units. They only work if you leave the safe unopened for long periods of time; if you open the safe daily you're wasting your time with one... |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I just check another 24-hr reading. Temp. varied between 58 to 61 degree today (it is snowing outside). And humidity varied between 41% to 43%. No golden rod or dessicant of any kind. I am going to get one of those "rechargeable" humidity control that you can recharge by plugging it into power outlet (rather than using the oven). We'll see how low the humidity will go. I had one of those rechargeable desiccant units. They only work if you leave the safe unopened for long periods of time; if you open the safe daily you're wasting your time with one... Thanks for the info. I open the safe almost every day. I have a power outlet inside, but using a golden rod will take up some much needed space. I barely could fit all my rifles as it is now. Any suggestion on a good dessicant or humidity control device for a safe that gets opened daily? Back in MO (much higher humidity), I used to keep my rifles in one of those Stack-On 8-gun steel cabinet in the basement. Mold was forming on the sling and buttstock, and some rifles even had rust. I got the dessicant package from WalMart that they sell next to mothballs. The dessicant comes in a plastic container. I put 2-3 of this container in the cabinet. After a couple weeks I found that each container had collected a good amount of water. Wow .... did not know such a small container could produce that much water from the air. These containers work well, but they get expensive (almost $4 each) since you need a few of them and they last for 3 months in humid weather like in MO. You cannot recharge them, gotta toss them out once the water collected reaches a certain level. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I just check another 24-hr reading. Temp. varied between 58 to 61 degree today (it is snowing outside). And humidity varied between 41% to 43%. No golden rod or dessicant of any kind. I am going to get one of those "rechargeable" humidity control that you can recharge by plugging it into power outlet (rather than using the oven). We'll see how low the humidity will go. I had one of those rechargeable desiccant units. They only work if you leave the safe unopened for long periods of time; if you open the safe daily you're wasting your time with one... Thanks for the info. I open the safe almost every day. I have a power outlet inside, but using a golden rod will take up some much needed space. I barely could fit all my rifles as it is now. Any suggestion on a good dessicant or humidity control device for a safe that gets opened daily? Back in MO (much higher humidity), I used to keep my rifles in one of those Stack-On 8-gun steel cabinet in the basement. Mold was forming on the sling and buttstock, and some rifles even had rust. I got the dessicant package from WalMart that they sell next to mothballs. The dessicant comes in a plastic container. I put 2-3 of this container in the cabinet. After a couple weeks I found that each container had collected a good amount of water. Wow .... did not know such a small container could produce that much water from the air. These containers work well, but they get expensive (almost $4 each) since you need a few of them and they last for 3 months in humid weather like in MO. You cannot recharge them, gotta toss them out once the water collected reaches a certain level. That sound like the DampRid containers. That's what I'm using now. Barely better than the plug-in desiccant units...my humidity is running 55-58%, 68F. No problems so far. I really ought to call the safe mfg for suggestions as to how to properly drill a hole in the side for power for a heated rod... |
|
45% to 55% at 70 degrees is ideal. If you get too dry, that can cause damage as well.
A dry rod, or similar device, does not get rid of the humidity. It works by raising the dew point, which is also effective. Silica and other dessicants actually remove moisture from the air. As such, dry rods are safe to use under any condition. Dessicants should only be used to control high humidity. |
|
Actually, the heated rods raise the temperature inside the safe slightly, meaning you have a larger spread between the ambient temperature and the dewpoint. The larger the spread, the less likely you are to have condensation on your guns.
Feel and look around the base of your safe for an existing hole, sometimes the manufacturer puts a hole for the sole purpose of running a cord for the rod. |
|
Quoted:
the heated rods raise the temperature inside the safe slightly, meaning you have a larger spread between the ambient temperature and the dewpoint. The larger the spread, the less likely you are to have condensation on your guns. That's the key. You simply need to keep the oxidation prone surfaces of your guns warmer than the dewpoint. Once that's the case, condensation cannot occur on the guns. In other words, keep the surface temp of your guns above that of the ambient air and your set. I prefer to have more wattage than a GoldenRod but that's just me. GoldenRod seems to work for lots of people. |
|
Mine is always in the 30's as far as humidity goes. I live in a dry climate.
I run 1 golden rod, and 4 Eva Dry dehumidifiers. My safe is a pretty good size though. I would imagine the lower the humidity the better, as long as you don't have guns with wooden stocks. I have all AR type rifles, no wood in my collection. |
|
Quoted:
I've have noticed a few spots on some areas of several guns so I put a dehumidifier in my safe. I set it for 30% and have gotten quite a bit of moisture in the bucket. Is it bad to have too low a humidity level? I have a walk in safe 12x12. Too low of humidity can cause wood to crack.... such as wooden stocks. Seems the general accepted level is between 40%-50%. |
Armory Sponsor