Here’s how I killed the Ugly Rust Monster!!
Those of you living in Texas can stop reading now… you don’t have any humidity! Those of us living in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, know what humidity is. Here in North Carolina I have measured the relative outdoor humidity on average to be between 30-70% and the indoor humidity in my apartment 40-65%. The measurements were taken on an Accu-Rite model 01033, which I would recommend.
My Choices:
Eva-Dry dehumidifiers are definitely the best. I use 2x E500s and an Eva-Dry Peltier EDV-1100 in a Liberty 25 safe. There is a seller on Ebay who sells a package of 2x E500, 2x E333, and one EDV-1100 for $89 shipped and this price really can’t be beat. Silicon Gel needs to be recharged every 1+ months depending on where you live. Boxes and cans are simply very difficult to recharge. Unlike the packages usually say, these need to be poured out and placed in an oven for probably 12 hours or so. The Eva-Dry simply plugs into and outlet, heats up, and dries itself out.
I also have one of Liberty’s golden rods. I think the rod would be great for a garage safe but for a safe inside, where the temperature remains relatively constant, it is pretty useless.
The Numbers:
With 2x E500s the safe humidity decreased to a stead ~42%.
With the 2x E500s and one EDV-1100 it decreased to ~32%.
With the weather proofing strips around the door, 2x E500s, and one EDV-1100 it stayed ~32% or less.
*the changes were measured after 3+ days
My Eva-drys needed to be recharged in 2 months. I shut the peltier off when the humidity goes under 30%.
Humidity Discussion:
From my web research, the goal for humidity is ~35-40%.
Low humidity’s, under 30% can shrink and crack wood and ivory.
Above 50% is probably detrimental.
New Safes are usually extremely wet for months after purchase, due to manufacturing techniques and will dry out over time!
Hopefully this helps some of you web surfers out there beat the Rust Monster! I know the rust monster can be a bitch!
Those of you living in Texas can stop reading now… you don’t have any humidity! Those of us living in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, know what humidity is. Here in North Carolina I have measured the relative outdoor humidity on average to be between 30-70% and the indoor humidity in my apartment 40-65%. The measurements were taken on an Accu-Rite model 01033, which I would recommend.
My Choices:
Eva-Dry dehumidifiers are definitely the best. I use 2x E500s and an Eva-Dry Peltier EDV-1100 in a Liberty 25 safe. There is a seller on Ebay who sells a package of 2x E500, 2x E333, and one EDV-1100 for $89 shipped and this price really can’t be beat. Silicon Gel needs to be recharged every 1+ months depending on where you live. Boxes and cans are simply very difficult to recharge. Unlike the packages usually say, these need to be poured out and placed in an oven for probably 12 hours or so. The Eva-Dry simply plugs into and outlet, heats up, and dries itself out.
I also have one of Liberty’s golden rods. I think the rod would be great for a garage safe but for a safe inside, where the temperature remains relatively constant, it is pretty useless.
The Numbers:
With 2x E500s the safe humidity decreased to a stead ~42%.
With the 2x E500s and one EDV-1100 it decreased to ~32%.
With the weather proofing strips around the door, 2x E500s, and one EDV-1100 it stayed ~32% or less.
*the changes were measured after 3+ days
My Eva-drys needed to be recharged in 2 months. I shut the peltier off when the humidity goes under 30%.
Humidity Discussion:
From my web research, the goal for humidity is ~35-40%.
Low humidity’s, under 30% can shrink and crack wood and ivory.
Above 50% is probably detrimental.
New Safes are usually extremely wet for months after purchase, due to manufacturing techniques and will dry out over time!
Hopefully this helps some of you web surfers out there beat the Rust Monster! I know the rust monster can be a bitch!
