Gun safe humidity

[Jerry Lundegard]

I keep my safe in my basement. Gets a little humid in the summer down there but no seepage of water, condensation,  or anything like that. The  dehumidifier rod I have takes a lot of valuable floor space. There are other method available such as the oven or electric recharge type but those are a pain.   Would a little extra oil for storage be enough of a rust deterrent, or am I foolish to forego the rod altogether? 

[shooter]

 I mounted a house dehumifier  on a stand with a 5 gallon bucket under it, if I turn it on low humidity, it will suck the glue out of cardboard boxes

[FarmerRick]

I would suggest measuring the actual humidity in your safe before proceeding.

[00BUCK]

You can mount the rod vertically or horizontally on the walls. Best to keep it as low as possible but no matter where you put it, it is better than nothing. The rechargeable (plug into an outlet for 18 hours) dehumidifiers do a decent job, you just have to keep an eye on them so that you recharge when needed.

[Mudinyeri]

The rechargeable (plug into an outlet for 18 hours) dehumidifiers do a decent job, you just have to keep an eye on them so that you recharge when needed.

^This

I've never had a problem with rust while using them.

[Jerry Lundegard]

Thanks. Should've clarified this.  I have checked the humidity levels and regularly monitor them. Looking to maximize floor space and curious if the rechargeable are a viable option. 

[Ghost]

I have a pair of these in my safe:

http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-Renewable-E-333-Wireless-Dehumidifer/dp/B000H0XFCS/ref=sr_1_4/189-3317548-3328367?ie=UTF8&qid=1396394241&sr=8-4&keywords=dehumidifier

I recharge one of them one month, and recharge the other one the following month.  Never any rust.

Ghost

[66bigblock]

I like the Remington500 series.  Larger than the Eva-dry.  Im not big on cheaper than dirt, but they have them for $22

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/2-REM19946


Sheels has them - about $40 if I remember correctly.

Use your google-fu and find them from an online source you like and save some $$


66bigblock

[Gary]

Safe have a hole out the side / bottom for 110?  Can you drill one? 

I put a small light in my main safe, with the expensive guns, and I get great humidity reading year round.

You want proper humidity, not zero humidity.  To low, and the wood dries out.  Cracks, gets brittle, shrinks.

According to the NRA:

50% humidity at 70 degrees is considered ideal "Arms Museum" storage conditions.

You can get a temp and humidity gauge, that monitors highs and lows, to keep tabs on averages.