Dehumidifers for safe, what do you use?

[MrTrolleyguy]

[edit: Stock image - not my gun]
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Where I want my safe to reside there is no convenient electrical outlet and I don't want to run a line. not unless I really have to do it.

What Dehumidifer has or has not worked for you? And what about those who ignored possible problems? Any heartbreak stories?

Thanks

 

[df06]

I see your comment about electricity, lack of.
I have had safes in my basement for 15+ years. They all have golden rods and I have had zero rust issues.
That's the way I would go.

 

[photobiker]

I have one of those. The hammerless version. Mines not rusted but most of the chrome has worn off around the grip and trigger area. It's a paper weight now because the timing is so far off.
As for you answer I open my safes frequently and the one in the garage I put a low wattage bulb in connected to a dimmer switch contraption I made to reduce the voltage even more to keep the heat down. With no electricity the other option is going to be desiccant.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

In the airtight containers I use to store primers and powder (separately) I use a small plastic container containing Calcium Chloride. It's very inexpensive and available everywhere (pool supply stores as one example). In the past I tried Damp Rid but soon learned that it contained CC and was much more expensive. I can reduce the humidity in these containers to 15% but usually keep it in the mid 20's. I also use this in a small safe. Keep an eye on the container as it absorbs moisture and will turn to a "brine" until most of the moisture is gone. Just replace when it starts to harden. I can't speak to larger containers (safes) but considering how cheap it is it can't hurt to try.

 

[Cpo1944]

I think you had better just bite the bullet and run a line .Nothing beats a Golden rod !

 

[finesse_r]

I would think a 15 watt bulb would do pretty much the same thing for a fraction of the cost of a golden rod.

 

[Hack]

I've kept my firearms in my basement for the past 20+ years. They are in a pair of metal cabinets (Stack-On/Homak). Not safes. I've never had a rust issue. I clean and wipe them all down with oil once a year if I don't use them in that time period. They each have a tag showing when they were cleaned/oiled. If they are used they are cleaned/oiled and put away within a week.


My furnace/AC keeps the humidity constant. If it was a problem, I'd get a de-humidifier and run it down there. So far it hasn't been an issue for me.

 

[BillK01]

Golden Rod in my tiny home Liberty here. Dad has had 2 in his giant Liberty safe for probably 30 years and they're still chugging along perfectly.

 

[DR505]

In the airtight containers I use to store primers and powder (separately) I use a small plastic container containing Calcium Chloride. It's very inexpensive and available everywhere (pool supply stores as one example). In the past I tried Damp Rid but soon learned that it contained CC and was much more expensive. I can reduce the humidity in these containers to 15% but usually keep it in the mid 20's. I also use this in a small safe. Keep an eye on the container as it absorbs moisture and will turn to a "brine" until most of the moisture is gone. Just replace when it starts to harden. I can't speak to larger containers (safes) but considering how cheap it is it can't hurt to try.

This works well. I use it in my safes as well.

 

[chief38]

My safe is in my Basement that is Centrally A/C and heated, but since it is in a closet I installed two louvered vents to give a good and constant air flow. One of the vents is on top and one on the bottom. Personally I have not needed a Golden Rod but friends that have them say they do work well. You would obviously need to run a line to the location.

All I do is keep them wiped down with a light coating of oil and I've never had any rust. Again, if your safe is in a damp environment or there is not a good air exchange, a Golden Rod is the way to go IMHO.

 

[mkk41]

Problem with conventional dessicants is unless your safe is airtight , they will draw in moisture/humidity from the outside.

I use Sock-Ups and have a GoldenRod in each safe. Might be a pain to run an extension cord , but well worth it.

 

[boykinlp]

I have 2 Remington Gun Safe dehumidifiers. I charge one (plug into outlet overnight) and put it in the safe for 2-3 weeks. After that period of time, I put the other fully charged one in the safe. I may be paranoid, but I don't want to leave the guns "unprotected" while charging one. Hence the two. I also have a Golden Rod. The other style is in case power is interupted.

 

[Etemmu]

Another vote for the Goldenrod. If I lived closer to ya, I would install a receptacle near your safe for you. Thanks for your service

If adding a recep is not possible, use some dessicant packs. I use them in addition to the goldenrod so I don't know how well they work on their own-but they do require recharging periodically, even with the goldenrod in use. Recently bought one that is self contained with a heating element that just needs to be plugged into a receptacle for recharge. I like this better than the ones I have to put in the oven for a few hours. Mine is made by Stack-On but I think Remington has one that is identical for about the same money ($25-30). No rust issues so far

 

[H Richard]

When we built our condo about 8 years ago I had a 4'X7' solid concrete vault build in in the basement. It has electric and I keep a 12 pph dehumidifier plugged in and running and maintain 70 degrees and 50% humidity.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I am hearing the consensus. I will locate the safe where I can get power to it. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I have a large Liberty safe that is in what is basically an unheated area. I keep two Goldenrods in it, a large one at the floor and a small one mounted mid-level.

In order to monitor the temperature, I use an indoor/outdoor thermometer. The 'outside' sensor is in the safe and transmits data to the 'inside' unit sitting on top of the safe. There is consistently a three to four degree temperature variance...the Goldenrods really do make a difference.

A couple of years ago I ran an unintended experiment. I left my range bag on top of the safe and forgot to remove a magazine for my Buckmark .22 pistol. I put an identical mag on the shelf inside the safe. When I opened the range bag several weeks later, the mag I'd left outside the safe had some surface rust on it. The mag inside the safe was spotless.

Get a Goldenrod...you won't regret it!

 

[hangnoose]

HUMIDITY

A lot depends on the humidity level where you live. If you live in an arid area I wouldn't be too worried. What I do is ask some pharmacists to save the dessicant capsules from pill bottles and keep a coffee can of them in the safe & ammo locker. As long as the house has climate control a/c / heat & is regular & the guns are clean & lightly oiled I've never had a problem, even near salt water in N.Y. & Fl. Leaving guns or knives in leather sheaths, or soft cases is a bad idea. If you go out in the rain, or worst duck hunting in salt water & don't do a good disassembly & wipe down, then you're asking for rust.

 

[R. G. Amos]

I keep a Golden Rod in my safe, but this is not a de-humidifier. All it does is elevate the temperature in the safe to keep it above the dew point. It does absolutely nothing to reduce humidity. I use dessicants to reduce humidity. I also use gasket material around the safe door to make the safe semi air-tight. I would be hesitant to use CaCl2 in a safe since it can result in salt in the air inside the safe.

 

[clevolver]

I keep a Golden Rod in my safe, but this is not a de-humidifier. All it does is elevate the temperature in the safe to keep it above the dew point. It does absolutely nothing to reduce humidity. I use dessicants to reduce humidity. I also use gasket material around the safe door to make the safe semi air-tight. I would be hesitant to use CaCl2 in a safe since it can result in salt in the air inside the safe.

You're right that the goldenrod doesn't reduce humidity. It doesn't draw water out of the air. Rather, it heats up the air. Warmer air can absorb more humidity before it starts condensing on the metal parts of guns, keeping them dry and therefore inhibiting rust. A light coat of oil, and keeping the surfaces free of fingerprints and salt from sweat on your hands will also help.

 

[mikey52]

I've used a Goldenrod for years, with no problems and no rust. At the least, run an extension cord, as others have already stated. There are several Goldenrod styles available, just different, names. Mikey