Safe heaters to keep out condensation

[jays]

Just something I caught in a short comment somewhere but had never heard of before.

Does anyone know about running some sort of heater in a safe to keep out condensation?

Just curious.

[bigfellascott]

I use a heat cord in mine - it was left over from when the wife had Inland Bearded Dragons, figured I might as well put it to use, I couldn't tell you what wattage it is, seems to work as far as I can tell. There are heat mats and all manner of diff ways to keep warmth into firearms safes, just find one you want to use and go with it.

http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/reptile-heat-cord

I also run a seal around my door of the safe also to help combat moisture.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/bu ... als/window

[Noisydad]

In the close confines of a safe, a 7 watt night light will put out enough heat to raise the temp a degree or two.

[bluerob]

I use the rechargeable dehumidifiers which do "heat up" whilst charging.

Are you thinking of the "Golden Rod" device?

There are a few gadgets that are used in kitchens that some might be using, but, I'd avoid anything other than a dehumidifier in my safes.

[KWhorenet]

I run an 18" golden rod and dehumidifier off the one 240-110v power adapter.

Large volume safe and works a treat. Noticed a huge drop in moisture captured once I added the heater bar and a dehumidifier for the room also.

[sandgroperbill]

I have a moisture trap in the main safe and another in the ammo safe.

Given that the rifles have a light coat of oil they're not as susceptible as the ammo is, but i'm not putting a heater in with the ammo, so i simply run moisture traps

[AusC]

Wrong to call it using a "heater" probably.

e.g. I wouldn't be chucking an old oil column heater in there unless you're trying to burn the house down

[zobster]

Why not just use some crystal kitty litter in a sock/cloth/muslin bag? Silica gel is awesome at absorbing moisture. A bag of litter is about $10, will last a year at least.

[bigfellascott]

Why not just use some crystal kitty litter in a sock/cloth/muslin bag? Silica gel is awesome at absorbing moisture. A bag of litter is about $10, will last a year at least.

I reckon that stuff draws moisture into the safe, I was using it but wasn't happy with its performance (had some slight rust issues) the other thing to be careful about with that stuff is if it gets knocked over it can do some damage to firearms (as some have found out the hard way)

[Bourt]

e.g. I wouldn't be chucking an old oil column heater in there unless you're trying to burn the house down

Or at least make sure your insurance covers fire caused by doing something stupid

[Utcherd]

Have a look at something like the Zerust capsules instead IMO.

Cheaper, easier.

[bigtone]

a 40watt incandescent light should warm it up enough if your safe is not too big and i am 99% sure that no UV light is emmitted from them, but the electricity cost might add up. Why not just get your guns out regularly for an "inspection and re-oil". You wouldn't leave your girlfriend locked away without any attention for weeks on end would you?

[RealNick]

Just give 'em a hug each night to keep 'em warm

[Oldbloke]

Why not just use some crystal kitty litter in a sock/cloth/muslin bag? Silica gel is awesome at absorbing moisture. A bag of litter is about $10, will last a year at least.

+1

Or just a big lump of plaster. Heat up on a sunny day then place it in the safe. Re-heat every couple of months. But first oil the guns then the moisture reduction is just plan B (insurance)

[Herdsman]

How about just a little box of baking soda replaced every few months?

[Homer]

G'Day Fella's,

I use large bags of Silica-Gel in my safes.
Twice a year, I weigh them on digital kitchen scales and then Microwave them for 1 minute. I do this a few times, until they loose no more weight (Moisture), I then put them back in the safes. For more info on this, Google this process up and watch!

Be careful of sealing the safe doors with foam sealant, and not using Silica-Gel etc inside the safe, as you may be sealing lots of moisture laden air, inside your safe! Thats a recipe for disaster! Read RUST!!!

Hope that helps

Doh!
Homer

[KWhorenet]

My little electric dehumidifier removes about 200ml of water from the safe within 3 days operation. Open the safe to empty it...allowing more moist air back in, doh!

I'm going to set up a drain line to keep it emptied. Will be interesting to see what humidity levels can be dropped to once it can operate constantly. Having a larger dehumidifier in the room my safe lives in also reduces the humidity in the air that enters the safe each opening. Could also heat the safe room but this doesnt really stop moisture entering. Best I can do.

Having a heater bar in the safe works to reduce actual condensation, but doesn't remove moisture like the dehumidifier is designed to.

Combination of the above seems to be working well.

[sarki]

I use large bags of Silica-Gel in my safes.

Same, whenever I get a few in some new appliance put the new ones in and chuck the old ones out.

[Homer]

G'Day Fella's,

Earlier this year, I was away Sambar Huntin and ended up sharing a camp site with some Hunters from around Sydney.
They suggested to me, to use LED Christmas decoration lights.
This is not only for lighting but apparently, the minute amount of heat the LED's generate, helps to warm the inside of the safe and keep the humidity under control?

Any opinions/experience on this???

Hope that helps

Doh!
Homer

[KWhorenet]

Heat doesn't remove humidity. It reduces condensation. To reduce humidity you need to remove the moisture already in the air contained in your safe.

[Supporter]

They suggested to me, to use LED Christmas decoration lights.
This is not only for lighting but apparently, the minute amount of heat the LED's generate, helps to warm the inside of the safe and keep the humidity under control?

Any opinions/experience on this???

Just sounds like warming up humid air to me.

[Homer]

G'Day Fella's,

KWhornet and Supporter, thank you for your replies and yes I agree!
Maybe use these LED's, in conjunction with bags of Silica Gel?

Regards
Homer

[Baronvonrort]

I have air conditioning to dehumidify , I suggest putting the safe in a air conditioned room

[Seik]

Another silica bag user here, no problems with mine.