Dehumidifying a Gun Safe

[BobGee]

I have both a Remington "rechargeable" silica gel dehumidifier in one safe and a tub of stuff from the supermarket in the other. Both need to be watched and take up space, especially the tub.

I started to think that the Golden Rod electric heating element system might be better, i.e. need less attention once installed. Then, on t'internet I came across reptile heating pads. These are very thin, low wattage heating elements used by reptile keepers in their reptile tanks to provide the poor beasts with something like a warm rock.

It occurred to me that they might work well in a gun safe at a lower cost than the Golden Rods. The Golden Rods are a bit expensive down here in Oz.

Has anyone used such a device for keeping their guns warm at night?

[Gort]

The golden rod has worked for me for 30 years. It draws 25w and has a continuous duty rating. I would depend on it rather than a reptile pad made in ?????
Gort

[john bickar]

What's the power supply for the golden rods?

Edit: 110v apparently.

How do you get the power cord into the safe?

[mtncwru]

How do you get the power cord into the safe?

Many safes have a power pass through built in. They often have an RJ-45 pass through for a network cable as well, in case you want to secure a server. Not sure how those handle heat, though.

[kevinweiho]

It occurred to me that they might work well in a gun safe at a lower cost than the Golden Rods. The Golden Rods are a bit expensive down here in Oz.

Have you thought about the idea of using incandescent light bulbs? May I ask what is the cost of the golden rods in the land down under?.

[BobGee]

We used to use light bulbs in our wardrobes in Hong Kong when I worked there to prevent the high humidity from damaging clothing and shoes. I fear that a bulb in a small gun safe might be easily broken though having the light there would be useful.

The GoldenRods are not easily obtainable here because our voltage is around 240V whereas the source voltage for these dudes is 110V. One seller here has the 18" model in 220V which he is pushing for A$242 delivered (US$171)!

So, I think I might try one of the small pads at 7W (my safes are quite small: 3 cuft). They have a temp cutout. The wiring would be simple through a small hole drilled through the wall with a bit of sealant.

[Leon]

What is wrong with you?

[BobGee]

I know I'm using the BoreStores but for a few cents more I can have a belt and braces...

[kevinweiho]

One seller here has the 18" model in 220V which he is pushing for A$242 delivered (US$171)!

What $171?, that is insane! For that price here in Costa Rica, I could buy a small electric dehumidifier. I also use Bore Stores along with silica gel packets and wipe down my guns every month eventhough I don't use them and I haven't found any trace of rust on my guns.

[BobGee]

Hi kevinweiho, I've purchased a couple of the pads (5W and 7W) with over temp cutouts to trial and a pair of cheap indoors humidity monitors. I already have an electronic weather station so can use that to record the ambient RH outside the safes and the other two inside the safes. I'll see how I stand at the moment with what I've got and then try the pads. I'll tell all when I've given them a tryout.

[joel]

Do you know what the humidity inside the safe is now? You don't want a completely dry safe. iirc, something like 50% humidity is fine. Perhaps someone knows for sure. I use a big can of silica beads and monitor the humidity and then recharge them in an oven.

http://www.amazon.com/Dry-Packs-Gram-Si ... B003QZ6PZ0

HTH,

Joel