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"Dehumidifier" for the new safe?
sxsnuf
Member Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭✭
My much better half decided I needed more storage for future purchases. I didn't really think those 2 single shot .22s and the daisy BB gun were that crowded in the existing safe, but I wasn't arguing about getting a new one for Father's Day. The old safe has always been in one of the spare rooms and moisture has never been a problem. At 71" high x 44" wide x 26" deep (and north of 1/2 ton), the new one will stay in the garage. Am I correct in understanding that a "golden rod" style dehumidifier is just a small heater? Any reason a single light bulb, of the correct type, wouldn't achieve the same result? You're not doing anything but warming the air to keep it dry, right? Don't hesitate to let me know if I'm an idiot.
Arrivederci gigi
Comments
I have a Golden Rod in my safe. It does a great job of keeping the moisture at bay. I suppose you could try a light bulb and let us know how it works. I wouldn't use anything too bright, it doesn't take much heat to do the job.
Joe
I use the ‘rechargeable’ silica dehumidifiers.
check them every month or so, and take them out and plug the in if the beads are moving g toward the wet zone. With these you can keep the safe sealed, as there is no need to have an opening for the cord.
Brad Steele
A bulb would probably work but as stated above you need very little heat.
I can touch the Golden Rod in my safe and it is just warm. This dehumidifier has ben in use since 1982 and survived 4 moves to various states.
It fits very nicely at the back of the safe floor behind the row of upright guns and is practically unnoticeable. Also heat rises.
Since I have electric in the safe, I also have undercabinet lighting.
My concern with a light bulb is the chance of it overheating,causing a fire.A Golden Rod is pretty cheap and made to do what you need.
I am fortunate that my safe(s) are in the climate controlled house so I don't use a golden rod anymore. My concerns with depending on a lightbulb is that they don't last long and if it blows and you don't open the safe for a week, you may have a problem. If you go that route, look into ZeRust vapor capsules. I have one in each safe and change them once a year, cheap insurance.
Bob
I have always had my safe in the garage. Both dry and humid states with over 100 degree temp swings from summer to winter.....golden rod has always done well.
I am in north-central Florida - we get it from both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico side - relative humidity on any day is about the same as a sunk submarine. I have a Champion - Triumph Series safe. there is a 'Golden-Rod' in it. It is warmer to the touch than you want to hang onto for a while - but won't cause the problems a broken incandescent light bulb will. Even though I probably only open the safe - in the utility room - 2 or 3 times a month - I still put a 'Moisture Eliminator with charcoal' packs from Dollar General store and have to change it out 2-3 times per year.
Best Regards - AQH
Golden Rod. Keep in mind steel, wood and leather all like different moisture levels, therefore simply keep it at a mid-range.
Goldenrod for a safe. a walk in might need something a little larger.
Golden rod seems plenty reasonable price and actually designed for such.
I've got one safe in a attached Garage (controlled enviroment same as the house) setting on a 3/4 inch plywood base covered with Indoor/Outdoor carpet and safe bolted to the floor. I mainly slightly elevated the bottom of the safe so as it would not be setting right on the concrete.
I've used the silca packs for several years in safes and about once a year take them out a bake them in the over for awhile and then back to the safes.
Also I save the little silca packages that comes with items such a shoes, jerky, etc and just toss them into the bottom of the safes and bake them about every year or so. I also use them little silca packets inside zip lock bags when storing primers, 1 lb jugs of reloading powder, inside zip lock bags with my black powers and with some reloaded rifle shells inside the z-lock bags.
I've never had a rust corrosion problem inside the safes, but if the temp around the safes varied same as the outside temperature I would go with the golden rod (light bulbs will fail, kinda in same category as depending on a light bulb to keep your well house from freezing) and check/oil the guns, especially the bore quite often when the temp varies same as outside temp. Rust/corrosion has a way of sneaking up on you.
Thanx for the input folks. The safe has an outlet built into the lower corner (with USB ports?) so no need for further penetrations. Based on the recommendations here, I've ordered a 24" goldenrod and a multi pack of hygrometer/thermometers. I'll be able to monitor what's goin on inside and outside the safe. If it looks like more moisture control is needed, I'll go with a rechargeable or disposable moisture absorber. I spose some interior lighting is on the agenda as well. As always, I appreciate the benefit of your combined experience!
I went this route also. I just put the canisters in the oven twice a year and "bake" them at 200 degrees for about 4 hours.
Good as new for another 6 months...
Yes, good lighting is a necessary thing. Generally whatever you are looking for is in the back where you can't see it otherwise. At least that is my experience !!! 😜
https://tinyurl.com/ynn28fn7 for your USB ports.
I just use a good flashlight to see into my safe's interior. It makes me feel like an archeologist opening up a tomb. 😁
I bought a reel of LED's in bright white. They have an adhesive backing. I ran them around the perimeter of the inside front of the safe, floor to ceiling, and installed a switch on the wall.
I have an excellent view of everything in the safe, and they draw almost no current.
It sounds like you have a Cannon safe like mine.
Joe
I keep the humidity level around 42 in my walk in.
My Golden Rod has been running continually since 2000 here in the South and my safe has been in the garage, basement and bedrooms of several houses during this time over the years and I've never had a rusty gun. It just keeps on doing what it's supposed to do and that's to not let the moisture in the safe condensate. It doesn't matter what the humidity is as long as it doesn't cause condensation. Putting something in there that you have to keep changing out that attracts moisture is a waste of time and money. Why put something in your safe and wonder if it's going to work like a light bulb? Get something that's tried and true that won't catch on fire.
The amount of light bulbs I would have had to change out in 22 years would cost a lot more than the Golden Rod did.
Those LED lights in a roll with USB are the way to go!
sxsnuf, just send me the guns that won't fit in the house, I will take care of them for you..........