Gun room humidity control

[skyline]

Hello cal gunners
I have the opportunity to work on a gunrroom for a customer I am a electrician so one of the things I have to wore for was a mini split ac /heater unit in the room to control humidity but I don't know if that will work. I know that in a standard gun safe we use deffernt methods of controlling rust from developing but in a room that is a good size and surrounded by cinder block and concreate I wonder if this will work for humidity control any suggestions are greatly appreciated

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[DaveInOroValley]

Luckily in our environment excess humidity isn't an issue, but I would think the only way to really control it would be with a regular dehumidifier running in the room?

I.E.

https://www.amazon.com/Shinco-Dehumidifier-Basement-Bathroom-Moisture/dp/B08P359Q79/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3MR2VYSASG9B7&keywords=dehimidifer%2Fhumidifier+for+basement&qid=1654881014&sprefix=dehi%2Caps%2C302&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNlZJS09EMFZFSEhDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzE5OTM2MURONkY3Tk9DQkhXRiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDk2OTExMkZQU1VHTVNUTEs0ViZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[Robotron2k84]

So long as the condenser coils’ water output is removed from the return air, the humidity will go down. That’s all a dehumidifier is: both sides of an A/C unit in the same loop, with the condensation going into a pan or drain to be dumped.

[k1dude]

Is there a drain in the room? That would be ideal so you don't have to regularly check a dehumidifier tank. If you go on vacation, an overflowing tank could be bad.

Also, how big is the room? A split system might be better. The nice thing about a split system is your gun room will always be comfortable to be in.

[hermosabeach]

In a safe, many use the goldenrod.

It's a heater

How does it work, by gentle air movement.

A 15 watt lightbulb does the same thing.


While a dehumidifier works, dehumidifier does use a lot of electricity

A LED light strip around the base of the floor let on 24/7 will generate heat and air movement.

A mini split does provide cold air. I don't think they do a job removing moisture

I would use a dedicated dehumidifier that has a drain and an auto on based upon humidity level.


The draw back to wood is humidity swings.

If in a humid place - think florida keys / Houston, your wood will be dehydrated while in the safe room.

Then you go shooting, the wood gets to absorb moisture.
Once done shooting, it's back into the food dehydrator
This will lead to other issues as the cycle is repeated


I would wire for a dehumidifier and run a drain line.

If the heat from the LED does not work, then try dehumidifier.




Friends inherited customs made furniture from an uncle.
They moved to Arizona and cracks developed
They moved to San Diego and all cracks closed up

Humidity swings are a concern with wood

It's why the goldenrod (heat) is the preferred method to prevent rust.

[SkyHawk]

If you are trying to control a room, the first thing you need is a moisture barrier on all walls, floor, ceiling. Latex vapor barrier paint at minimum.

Then the question becomes what tolerance do you want for the target humidity. That will define what equipment you need. If you are also trying to control temp that adds a little more complexity.

Very dry is fine for metals, but not great for rubber, leather, wood etc. Depending on exactly what is planned to be kept in the room, will also dictate how you define and achieve the target humidity.

I have seen watches turn to shyte inside gun safes. Their oring seals dry, any band that is not metal dries and crumbles - it can be ugly if "dry" is all you shoot for and then put the wrong things inside.

Keeping the room dry is pretty easy and cheap. Keeping the room at a target humidity is another story. In any case, you need a good seal on the room so the equipment you choose can do it's job without working too hard.

[smle-man]

I use a goldenrod plus a rechargable dehumidifier in each safe and never had a problem

[beanz2]

Luckily in our environment excess humidity isn't an issue, but I would think the only way to really control it would be with a regular dehumidifier running in the room?

I.E.

https://www.amazon.com/Shinco-Dehumi...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I think this is the route I will take. Fortunately there is time for me to run a drain line through the floor.

I thought about having a dedicated mini split AC, but the condensor itself needs a drain line if it were to function as a dehumidifier, right?

[mk2dave]

I was an armorer based at Camp Pendleton. The dehumidifier overnight would collect .5-.75 gallons. Granted, that was for 3 connected rooms that was a freezer in a converted chow hall. Everything oiled appropriately, and rust was not an issue. Before we got the dehumidifiers, anything not darn near dripping with CLP would show rust within 2-3 weeks.

[DaveInOroValley]

I think this is the route I will take. Fortunately there is time for me to run a drain line through the floor.

I thought about having a dedicated mini split AC, but the condensor itself needs a drain line if it were to function as a dehumidifier, right?

I would think so like the drain connected to you home system that drip the moisture outside

[beanz2]

So, am I correct in assuming that a room dehumidifier would be less expensive to run 24x7 than a mini split AC system? For a room about 10x11 with no outside walls.

[SharedShots]

Don't overthink this. If you are comfortable then so are your guns. What good is it to control the gun room to such a degree that you expose them to rapid temp and humidity changes when you simply take one of the guns out of the room?

You don't need ultra low humidity and 72 degrees (or whatever) to keep your guns in tip top shape while in storage. You don't need special AC units or complex air recirculation systems. What you need is the same environment you feel comfortable living in and stop worrying about it.

You know who ends up with rusted guns or degraded wood furniture? The people who put their guns away and never bother to take them out of their storage for years and check them over.

I've lived along coast lines and places where the humidity was so high you didn't take showers, just soaped up and let the sweat drip it off. I never once had a gun rust or the wood go bad. The houses were comfortable to live in and so were the guns were comfortable too. I took each one out at least once a month and checked it. I wiped off the gun before putting it away.

Like a lot of things, we gun owners make some things far more complicated than needed and not because of experience but because someone heard someone say something somewhere and it became an OMG moment. And yes, I've had some of the finest old world Drillings, they weren't hermitically sealed away and never rusted, the wood never degraded.

How I wish I still had the Drillings, I could probably sell them and buy California.

[flyer898]

This ^^^^^^^^^
Except for the part about der Dreilings.

[Dan_Eastvale]

I have stored guns, ammo, and parts in Eastvale (Corona Norco) and Salt Lake Valley for decades in closets and and StackOn cabinets without any protective measures other than wiping down with oiled rag after using. Never rust or degredation of ammo.

Of course, not humid salt laden beach air.

[skyline]

Thank you all for your great advice I will consult with the customer and see wich route he takes

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