So I've just relocated from close to 30 years in northern VA to coastal SC (near Beaufort). I have 2 gun safes, both Ft Knox. I don't know the manufacturer's unrealistic capacity since its been years since I bought either but looking at the website, it looks like one is 28 cu ft and the other is 36 cu ft. To get either in the house was impractical so they're relegated to the garage. My question for you folks that live near the coast is should I worry about the extremely high humidity here. I have a dehumidifying rod in each safe, but the humidity here is brutal (reminds me of CS), not to mention the salt in the air from being right on a tidal river. Should I add another rod to each? Add some other type of dehumidifier? I do keep all my guns in VCI socks but dealing with these environmental conditions in regards to safes and guns is foreign to me as I've always been able to keep my safes in a climate controlled area.

Thoughts?

I don't have specific solutions for you but yes I'd be worried. I'd start by buying some hygrometers that record and store min/max temp and humidity and put in both so you can follow trends. You can get these from amazon. Even keep a small notepad and write down the date and readings as you try different solutions so you can follow trends/results. I have a few of the bead systems in my safe, one you can re-charge by plugging in over night. The others have to go in an oven. Those work well but your environment may overwhelm them. Let's see what the other posters have to add.

Dry rod dehumidifier. $20.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004Q0LG4E/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks. I already have 1 of those in each. I assume your suggesting adding another to each?

Red Pear Realty said:

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Dry rod dehumidifier. $20.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004Q0LG4E/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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2nd on the dry rod dehumidifier. Get the one that is the metal rod, not the bendable plastic types (those are less effective in my experience.

The dehumidifier is a must in high humid areas. I had to clean rust off my Dad's shotguns when he hid them in his attic while on vacation a few years back.

We are in Myrtle - be sure to have the safes off the ground, somewhat - you will need to ensure airflow underneath.

We use those plug in dehumidifiers, which seem to work well, along w. the gun socks.

Heated rods are NOT dehumidifiers. They "work" by increasing temperature and thereby increasing moisture holding capacity. They do NOT reduce the actual moisture load. Do you want to limit the probability of condensation or remove moisture?

I'd think remove moisture content. That's why I'm thinking some sort of additional desiccant would be better than another rod.

Dessicant is the simplest, fastest solution.

I am building a "cabinet" in my garage that will have A/C from the house. Our garage shares a wall with the dining room. I am essentially building around the safe and then putting a run of small (8" probably) flex duct from the nearest A/C branch into the cabinet. One of my work buddies did this and it worked wonders. Sure, you bleed off a little cold air, but its far easier and more convenient than messing with dessicant.

I've thought about building a "refrigerated" enclosure in my garage. Basically a big box/shed that would have insulated walls/door/ceiling and a dorm fridge (or such) mounted facing inside with the coils on the outside. As infrequently as the door would be opened, I think the fridge could handle the heat gain thru the enclosure if it was insulated well. (edit: Actually, something like this would probably work better, thinking about it... https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Breeze-Electric-Dehumidifier-Portable/dp/B01DC5PPWM would just have to rig the water collection pan/jug with a continuous drain to the outside.)

I've been meaning to look on youtube and the DIY sites to see if anyone else has tried this approach. I would think I could fit 2 decent sized gun safes in there, bolted to the floor. San Antonio, here.

Yup, Damp Rid is what I use as well. No rust issues thus far.

AgEng98 said:

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Heated rods are NOT dehumidifiers. They "work" by increasing temperature and thereby increasing moisture holding capacity. They do NOT reduce the actual moisture load. Do you want to limit the probability of condensation or remove moisture?

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I'm glad you mentioned this. I was going to write it but feared I was not remembering correctly. These DO decrease relative humidity...but not humidity or moisture content in the air. However, that's the point and why they work.

AgEng98 said:

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Dessicant is the simplest, fastest solution.

I am building a "cabinet" in my garage that will have A/C from the house. Our garage shares a wall with the dining room. I am essentially building around the safe and then putting a run of small (8" probably) flex duct from the nearest A/C branch into the cabinet. One of my work buddies did this and it worked wonders. Sure, you bleed off a little cold air, but its far easier and more convenient than messing with dessicant.

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A gun fridge, nice!

Bradley.Kohr.II said:

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We are in Myrtle - be sure to have the safes off the ground, somewhat - you will need to ensure airflow underneath.

We use those plug in dehumidifiers, which seem to work well, along w. the gun socks.

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Charleston checking in, and this!

OP's best long term solution would be to either find a way to get the safes indoors somehow, or to look into dehumidifying or air conditioning the garage. Moving to the southeast he just been hell on old tools and I can't wait to add A/C to our garage!

I mistyped when I said plug-in dehumidifier, I guess. We have these desiccant packs, which change color when saturated. They are then plugged in the wall to dry them out again.

Seems to work.

1. College Station is not brutal on humidity

2. Before you go nuts on dehumidifying, get a hydrometer and put in your safe to find out what the actual humidity is. Too dry has issues just like too wet does - namely cracked or shrinking wood that is a lot harder and more expensive to repair in some applications than getting a gun re-blued.

You want 40%-60% relative humidity, above that and you start getting surface rusting and below that and you start drying out the moisture in the wood and get cracking.

Golden rods, dessicant, etc. - all work fine. Get the combination you need to get the humidity in the right range.

BrazosDog02 said:

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AgEng98 said:

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Heated rods are NOT dehumidifiers. They "work" by increasing temperature and thereby increasing moisture holding capacity. They do NOT reduce the actual moisture load. Do you want to limit the probability of condensation or remove moisture?

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I'm glad you mentioned this. I was going to write it but feared I was not remembering correctly. These DO decrease relative humidity...but not humidity or moisture content in the air. However, that's the point and why they work.

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They decrease relative humdity by warming the air inside the safe. Warm air is less dense, which means less air inside the safe to hold humidity.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJ4QN12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_dWodDbZ42GBNW

Anti rust resealable storage bags.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJ4QKE2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_kYodDbF2W1AEM

I'm in a high humidity environment. Thinking I should be using one of those dessicant packs in the center console where my gun lives.

It's about 98% humidity most of the time where I live. I have a dessicant cannister in my safe (inside the house) that i take out once about every 5 years and put in the oven to dry out. It usually doesn't take much, but inside with an AC is always best if possible.

Thanks all. I ordered a few canisters of rechargeable desiccant and a couple of hygrometers to monitor conditions. Will play with it to see what it is and what I can lower it to before I start shoving guns in there.

Do you live on top of a swimming pool?

No. But I'm right on the water. Maybe I'm being a little paranoid, but I'd rather be on the conservative side rather than not worry, then open the safe and find horrors. To much invested in them and to attached to several to do otherwise.

AgEng98 said:

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Do you live on top of a swimming pool?

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I live on the gulf coast, can just about throw a rock and hit the water. Humidity is always high here.