? about Goldenrod dehumidifier

[josephbw]

I'm thinking about getting a Goldenrod dehumidifier for my new gun safe. The safe is a Cannon 48 gun with 40 cu. ft. interior space.
The interior dimensions are 70H x 18D x 38W + fractions of an inch.

I have found 2 different Goldenrods, this one without the feet in 12" & 18" long.



And this one with feet in 12", 18", 24" & 36" long.



Sorry about the huge image.

My question to the vast knowledge of the members here, is which one would be better suited to a safe of my dimensions, and are the feet a good idea to keep the heat from making direct contact with the interior?

 

[bobinoregon]

Personally I go with the largest one with feet that will fit in the safe. 40 cu ft is pretty fair sized, I have 24" ones in safes that are under 30 cu ft.

 

[btg3]

Understand the proper installation for Goldenrod. I recall they state the rod should be at the bottom of the safe and that the safe should not be sealed up.

Goldenrod is just a heater -- does not actually dehumidify.

The idea is to generate a bit of convection from the rising heat to facilitate drying. Also, to allow the warmer air with higher moisture content to escape, rather than be recirculated over any colder areas and possibly condense.

 

[Safetychain]

Understand that the goldenrod is just a heater as stated above. It does cause circulation of air currents but that doesn't do much for your guns. It does not reduce the humidity but does reduce the relative humidity of the inside air. It works by keeping your safe contents a few degrees warmer than the other areas outside the safe. The temperature fluctuates in your house or garage as does the humidity. Maintaining the items in your safe a few degrees above the outside reduces the relative humidity of any air that comes in when you open the safe as well as any air that can leak into the safe when it is closed. In an extreme case, say if the outside air were near dew point, and you opened the safe and the inside air is exchanged; then the outside air (and eventually the inside air) temperature were to drop, you would get condensation on the items in the safe, especially the blued or dark colored metal guns due to black body radiation. The goldenrod helps reduce the chance of this happening. It isn't a perfect solution but it does help. Your power company has been using heaters for years in all of their switchgear cabinets as a little moisture there causes big flashes.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

After selecting your Goldenrod, spend about 10 bucks for a hygrometer and take the guess work outta the humidity level in your safe.

 

[matrem]

A Goldenrod, a light bulb, or even Captain Kirks' phaser will work.
Anything that keeps the inside temperature above the outside temperature drastically reduces rust.
FWIW, I have a Goldenrod... Seemed a bit safer than a lightbulb & a lot safer than Capt... Well You know.
Edit to add:Place it as low as possible, warm air rises and circulation is another key factor.

 

[btg3]

^^^^
Partly correct. If the safe (or cabinet) is sealed such that there is no air exchange, then the moisture level that was in the safe when the door was closed remains available to form rust. And like many chemical reactions, heat will increase the speed of rust formation. The moisture must be removed, not just heated up.

http://www.goldenroddehumidifiers.com/faqs.htm
How does GoldenRod® work?
GoldenRod® heats to a surface temperature of less than 150 degrees (which is almost too warm to hold) and circulates warm, dry air throughout an enclosure on a 24 hour basis. This increases the temperature of the air inside to several degrees above the ambient outside temperature. Expansion of the heated air forces the moist air outside through the vents or loose fitting doors leaving the dry air inside. In order to work correctly, it is important to ensure that there is adequate ventilation.

See 0:25 here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjfwCNixmlo