Author Topic: GunSafe De-Humidifiers (Read 942 times)

savageT · « **on:** May 02, 2003, 03:12:17 AM »

What are you using in your gun-safes or closets for humidity control? I'm using, at the moment, a quart bucket w/ Calcium Chloride in the upper half that I purchasd in a boat yard. It just isn't doing the job as I had a Mauser bolt sitting next to it and when I checked, it was starting to rust. How are those electric rods at keeping things dry? Do I need a fan also?

Jim

chk · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2003, 03:28:56 AM »

I've got a Goldenrod type electric dehumidifier. I does a good job for me. I've had no rust. I do wipe my blued guns off with WD-40. We have a good deal of humidity here in WV. Dave

jhm · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2003, 04:01:07 AM »

Savaget: In the safes I use the golden rods, in the other places where I also use to keep a few extras at I have fans that move air thru the wall when the light switches are turned on, its just a simple exhaust fan that has been modified to accept a flex pipe into the walls to circulate air around the guns, also a rugular check of them and a good wipe down also has helped.

JIM

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2003, 11:36:20 AM »

My understanding of the GoldenRod devices are that they are simply heaters, of low wattage. I would bet a light bulb would provide the same benefit. If the air in the safe is warmer than the outside air it will, in theory, be able to carry more water(relative humidity). This would in effect keep the air inside the safe drier than the air surrounding it. My 'safe' is a concrete walled(floored+ceiling too) and I use a dehumidifier(20 quart) and a heater both..

KN · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2003, 12:20:20 PM »

I use a tube type 25 watt cabinet light in the bottom of my safes. They do the same thing as a goldenrod plus they add some light to the inside of the safe. Plus you always know if it's working or not. Bulbs last a couple of months on average. My safes are in the besament where humidity is fairly high. Never had any rust yet. I do wipe them down with WD-40 when I put them away. KN

rob_helms · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2003, 07:14:58 AM »

I purchased my first Goldenrod in 1985. It came with a 5 year warranty. It's still going strong. gunnut69 is right, it merely keeps the warm dry air moving in your safe. I tried light bulbs for about 5 years, but they kept burning out. The Goldenrods just keep working IMHO it is cheap insurance.

Bullseye · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2003, 05:43:21 PM »

I use a goldenrod in my safe. It is in the garage and the temperature ranges from about 50 in the winter to 100 with humidity in the summer. Have never had a rust problem.

Big · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2003, 05:57:12 PM »

I just wipe my guns down with BreakFree (except for the muzzle loader, which gets T/C Bore Butter, but that's a controversy itself if you read the muzzleloader bb). Have never had any rust after wiping with a rag lightly oiled with BF. The BF kinda dries away, supposedly leaving a teflon coating. No heater in the safe, and I live in Maryland.

howdy doody · « **Reply #8 on:** June 18, 2003, 06:54:02 PM »

I burn a 40 watt bulb constantly in my safe in one of those clip on reflector type lamps. No rust ever. I did have to take off and then install a new plug after running the cord through the grommet in the rear however. Works for me and I already had the lamp, so it was cheap.

savageT · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2003, 02:24:31 AM »

Thanks Guys for all your suggestions!
I ended up plugging in a small electronic air purifyer (more for the blower and air circulation than anything else) on the top shelf and a can of de-humidifier calcium chloride crystals on the floor. Works very well in the closet. This spring sure has been a damp one here in the Northeast.

Jim

TexasMac · « **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2003, 05:48:13 PM »

A few comments on the Goldenrod. Prior to installing one in my large gun safe I did a lot of research on the subject. I'm convinced it is the best solution considering other options. If properly located in the bottom of the safe it not only heats the interior of the safe but also creates convection air currents, both of which prevent any moisture from settling on the firearms.

A word of caution to those of you using other sources of heat, such as light bulbs. It takes very little heat to raise the internal temp in a safe. 8 to 10 watts is very adequate for most gun safes. Much more wattage and you take the risk of drying out the gunstock wood. I have read of documented cases where lightbulbs in the 40 to 100 watts was used, resulting in cracked stocks over an extended period of time.

By the way, a great way to light the interior is to install one of the rope lights along the corners of the shelves. They are available at most hardware stores and many other retails stores such as wal-mart, Sams, etc. It does a great job in my safe as it was long enough to string above each shelf. Sure beats grabbing a flashlight each time while trying to move things around to look for stuff.

Wayne

Steve P · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2003, 03:52:55 PM »

I have a full size dehumidifier in the room with my safe. I do the whole room. Room is small and this works best for me. A buddy has one of the goldenrods things in his safe and it works well. I like mine better because it actually removes the water and I can go dump it out periodically. Keep the door shut and everything stays dry. Works for me in W. WA state.

Steve