Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: elk311 on January 25, 2010, 10:08:16 AM

Title: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: elk311 on January 25, 2010, 10:08:16 AM: For those Western WA people that have a gun safe in the garage, how do you control humidity, does it work and how do you monitor it?

I need a bigger safe and the garage is the only place big enough (bolted down of course).

Thanks
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: chrisb on January 25, 2010, 10:45:04 AM: I went to the local locksmith/safe shop in town and bought a "heating rod". It sits on the bottom of the safe and runs a cord out the back (have to drill the hole yourself). It stays at a constant 115 degrees and keeps the inside warm enough to stay dry... unless the door is open of course. I think it cost me 20 or 30 bucks.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 25, 2010, 10:45:59 AM: Golden Rod dehumidifier
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: Galpster on January 25, 2010, 10:56:52 AM: On the same line if you have a gun cabinet in the house do you still need a heater or dehumidifier?
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: Hillbilly270 on January 25, 2010, 10:57:28 AM: Quote from: WDFW-SUX on January 25, 2010, 10:45:59 AM
Golden Rod dehumidifier

:yeah: my basement has water seep up through it when there is enough rain and I haven't had any problems with rust
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: chrisb on January 25, 2010, 11:12:24 AM: inside the house you may not need it... guess it depends on how your guns are holding up to the humidity in your home. if they aren't or haven't shown signs of affect yet then your probalby ok.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: whacker1 on January 25, 2010, 11:17:19 AM: donate your guns to me on the East Side of the State where we don't have the same humidity issues. I will keep them dry for you, :chuckle:
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: huntandjeep on January 25, 2010, 04:03:05 PM: ive got a golden rod in my safe i had it on for a while but turned it off beings how its in the house .when it gets moved to the shop ill turn it back on.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: littlebuf on January 25, 2010, 04:09:43 PM: +1 on the golden rod. had one in mine for a couple years now, just leave it plugged in all year and never have seen signs of rust or oxidation
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: CastleRocker on January 25, 2010, 09:15:06 PM: I had to put two golden rods, and one of those desiccant bowls under the bottom shelf. My big sage is bolted to the floor (and wall) out in my shop and it's not heated all the time. I had a condensation problem until I added the bowl thing and the second rod.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: chrisb on January 26, 2010, 08:26:37 AM: The guy at the safe store also told me you shouldn't have the safe touching the concrete directly. He suggested using a piece of plywood cut to the exact size of the safe base. Apparently the metal to concrete contact will cause that condensation.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: gottatree on January 26, 2010, 08:59:43 AM: I had problems with cutting the plywood for the bottom of the safe. I took 3 x 6 and made a base for the bottom to match then drilled 1" holes in the wood to get circulation under the bottom of the safe. Then I bolted it to the floor. 1 golden rod is all I have to use now. :twocents:
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: KimberRich on January 26, 2010, 02:09:58 PM: Quote from: WDFW-SUX on January 25, 2010, 10:45:59 AM
Golden Rod dehumidifier

x3

Got one in my Fort Knox and I've had it in the house and the garage and never had a problem. My safe came with a small hole designed for them.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: thinkingman on January 26, 2010, 03:04:48 PM: Quote from: WDFW-SUX on January 25, 2010, 10:45:59 AM
Golden Rod dehumidifier
Same here. works great. energy consumption same as 100watt bulb.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: haugenna on January 26, 2010, 09:55:14 PM: How about a 6x10 room in the garage that is not heated?
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: bonecrusher on January 26, 2010, 10:02:16 PM: i would put a base board heater and a thermostat in. its a pretty easyand cheap way to control temp/humidity
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: high country on January 26, 2010, 10:09:14 PM: my safe has a light that stays on. I would rather it be on the dry side. I use sill seal between my floor and safe.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: elk311 on January 27, 2010, 07:15:44 AM: Quote from: chrisb on January 26, 2010, 08:26:37 AM
The guy at the safe store also told me you shouldn't have the safe touching the concrete directly. He suggested using a piece of plywood cut to the exact size of the safe base. Apparently the metal to concrete contact will cause that condensation.

Excellent point and makes sense. Thanks for all the tips, now not only do I need to find a quality safe but more importantly some way to pay for it. :P
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 27, 2010, 07:28:29 AM: My safe is on the slab and Ive never had any moisture issues.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: Wacenturion on January 29, 2010, 04:19:37 PM: Something I ran across.....................

Optimum humidity & temperature levels in a gun safe
The humidity of air is influenced in part by temperature, in that the higher the temperature, the higher the capacity for water vapor. Condensation due to temperature changes and a lack of airflow also need to be taken into consideration. Maintaining a constant temperature will go a long way in combating condensation build up. A good optimal humidity level in a gun safe is between 45% to 50%. Too low or dry in a safe and the wood grips and stocks on firearms will dry out and cracking can occur. Too high and of course rust and corrosion will occur on the metal parts of the firearms. One of the ways to help control the temperature in the safe is by the location of the safe. Some like to store their safes in a garage, unless the garage is climate controlled, the fluctuations in temperature make this a bad idea. If you live in a warmer area of the country, an air conditioned home will make it much easier to maintain a humidity level of around 45% in the safe. Another good idea is to install Palusol heat activated seal strip or EDPM rubber weather strip around the interior of the door frame, creating a nice tight seal. Humidity rods, incandesant light bulbs, & dehumidifiers are great ways to control the environment in a safe, but those require electrical power to the safe. Some locations in a home, such as a closet, can make it difficult to wire a safe because of a lack of power and space or both.
Title: Re: GUN SAFE HUMIDITY
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 29, 2010, 04:28:50 PM: i have a box of stuff in there think its like silica or somthing bought it from cabelas threw it in there never had any problems works for me.