Dehumidifiers?

[marty8587]

For my 52nd BD my wife bought me a dehumidifier for my basement, where I store a couple boxes of ammo as well as some guns in a safe that is not real tight. What I am wondering is how effective are they and what would be optimun humidity to store these items?

Thanks,
Marty

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[DootyBeet]

I use them for work related issues. We always shoot for 35% or less when creating a dryer environment. 45% or higher is moldly and clammy feeling like most basements.
They do work well BUT they consume lots of energy. They're basically an air conditioner which sucks the moisture out of the air by collecting the condensation created on the coil set. Either you'll need to hook up the discharge to a drain or stay on top of emptying the reservoir.
They will help anything, especially guns and ammo last longer.
Happy Birthday!

 

[EMP9596]

Tighten up the safe and install a Goldenrod Dehumidifier. Not sure of what you wife got you? I have used GR's for years and no complaints.

Usage is about 40 watts
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[marty8587]

I have had asmall dehumidifier in the safe. When I turned the dehumidifier on it saidit was at63&#37; this morning down to 50% and a bucket of water. I will hook up the drain hose after I get a feel for how much water it pulls out regularly.
Thanks,
Marty

 

[asiparks]

another happy golden rod user. I supplement it with a refillable Damp Rid crystal bucket thing.

 

[NoOne]

I have kept some of the crystal (like salt) dehumidifiers in my gun vaults for years and NEVER had any rust issues. Having the machine is really neat though...but do keep on top of emptying the reservoir.

 

[marty8587]

I have the Rem-dry things you plug in. but I cannot fit all ammo in safes. This thing is 30 pint capacity and is sposed to be good for 1000 square feet.

 

[NoOne]

I just store ammo in GI ammo cans. But in around 35 years, I have never had any go bad..

 

[bmgm37]

I have run a dehumidifier for probably 15 years. I now have a 12x12 gun room with a goldenrod in the safe and the dehumidifier running set at 35&#37; and the room stays a nice 75&#176; and pulls a gallon of water out about every 2 weeks with our current weather and this is in a basement. I dont bother with a drain hose as I check it regularly and the unit shuts off when full. My old unit went TU and the new one is a nice little unit that Bi Mart sells for $139.