Gun Safe Humidity

[BobFromBucks]

I checked other posts and it has been a while since people discussed how best to deal with gun safe humidity. I have a few questions.

Who uses something run by battery and do you like it?
Who uses something like silica crystals and how does that work for you?
Who uses something new, different, or knows of a new technological way of keeping humidity at bay?
Last question - have you ever experienced a problem with rust and high humidity? What caused it? How did you cure it?

Okay. That last one was 3 questions.

[thefirstndsecond]

I use a golden rod and DAM rid.

http://www.goldenroddehumidifiers.com/

http://www.damprid.com/

I also put the guns away with a slight coating of oil and handle the guns with a silicone cloth. I baby the hell out of them.
Learned from my Pop who handed them down to me and I hope to hand them down again.

[thebearpack]

I just use rechargeable desiccants of various types; the kind that you recharge by plugging in works well. Nice thing is you can see when they need to be recharged as the crystals turn a different color.

Most important thing is to get a good hygrometer so you know what actual temperature and humidity are. If humidity is too low, that's bad too because it can hurt the wood in stocks, etc. You want to shoot for 70-ish degrees at 50% humidity.

If you do get surface rust it can be removed with penetrating oil like Kroil and bronze wool.

ETA: Almost forgot: I'm paranoid so I keep all handguns in Bore Stores and all rifles in silicone gun socks just as an added precaution. That also helps with the guns banging around on each other when the safe gets too full.

[RandomTask]

I use two of these 23" lamps:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-...White/16877935.


And one of these 13" lamps:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-...White/16879946.

All chained together to a single outlet.
I run 'em with the plastic lenses removed to let the heat escape the lamp to be useful. I leave 'em on 24/7 so I have light and heat.
Total cost was $35. Total wattage is 36W, more than almost any Golden Rod. The fluorescent tubes last about 2 years on average, and I get discounted replacement tubes for $3.69 each.

[thebearpack]

I use two of these 23" lamps and one of these 13" lamps...

Hmmm, how do your guns get any sleep with the lights on all the time? I don't know about you, but I like my firearms to be well-rested!

[RandomTask]

Hmmm, how do your guns get any sleep with the lights on all the time? I don't know about you, but I like my firearms to be well-rested!

They're afraid of the dark, but I read them a bedtime story every night.

[Xringshooter]

I use military desiccant packs that can be recharged in the oven. Been using them for a long time and haven't had any problems yet.

Mark - you know if you turn out the lights once in a while your guns may get frisky and reproduce. You might just find new guns in the safe every now and then .

[Philbert]

I use Eva-Dry silica. Once the crystals turn pink you plug it in overnight to dry out.

[Kramer]

I use a golden rod.

http://www.goldenroddehumidifiers.com/

I have used one for over eighteen years with no problems.

[Mirlen]

http://www.damprid.com/

I wouldn't use Damp Rid due to the potential mess and other chemicals that are in it.

I use silica packs which I recharge occasionally (Eva-Dry is just silica in a plastic case with an integrated heater) by heating to about 280F for a couple hours.

I also use a couple VCI capsules which release a vapor that coats and protects the metal surfaces. They last a couple years so they're pretty cheap for the extra protection. Brand I'm using right now is Zerust but there are others.