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 Replies: 20 / Views: 2,161 |
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Valued Member
United States
240 Posts |
Hello, I am thinking about purchasing a safe, is there anything to put in the safe to keep the humidity down, or help preserve the notes?
Thanks,
-Dillon
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1231 Posts |
Use rechargable desiccant packs. If you will be opening the safe often to view your collection get a bigger pack. And I would also suggest to purchase 2 packs. 1 to keep in the safe and 1 for a back-up when the first one needs to be recharged.
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Valued Member
 United States
240 Posts |
Hi, thanks for replying! I've never heard of them, I tried googleing desiccant packs, but I'm not sure what it is, can I buy this for example in Wal-mart, or any other store? Is it toxic? What does it do (absord moisture)? -Dillon |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1231 Posts |
A rechargeable desiccant pack absorbs moisture from inside your safe. The more you open and close the safe the more moisture will get inside and the more you will have to recharge the packs. The packs are usually recharged by placing in an oven at a set temp for a set amount of time. Try this site for more information. Check around on prices, you can even find them on ebay. I haven't seen them at Walmarthttp://www.dehumidify.com/Hydrosorb...tivation.htm |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1840 Posts |
You can get dessicant packs from numerous ebay sellers. I would also suggest one that can be reactivated like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Dessicant-Silic...ry_W0QQitemZ390064956543QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad1aee47f&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116 Typically you put it in the oven on low heat for several hours to dry it out again. The silica itself is nontoxic and works by absorbing the moisture. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
I have never looked for them at Walmart, but if you are there try in the sporting goods dept., as guys will put them in their gun safes / cases. |
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Valued Member
United States
240 Posts |
Oh ok. Thanks! I will check next time I go!
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Valued Member
United States
125 Posts |
I get my desiccant packs from a local gun shop. I find they have the best selection.
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
my all purpose safe has plug in rod for dehumidification. These are avail at any gun safe store.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Prior to spending money on a safe consider some things. If your putting this safe in a basement and live in an area of humidity, that is the place where every time you open the safe, moisture pours in. Those get packs are also going to become expensive and don't really do as much as people think. And if the safe is left open a lot, complete waste of money for anything to put in there. As a rule most people I know with safes have them open a lot and only close them when no one is to be home.
In case of a fire remember that the safe is possibly FLAME proof but not heat resistant. Many people have found out the hard way that when a safe is opened after a fire they find a really nice pile of plastic all over their coins. Note the plastic, cardboard, wood, also put into the safe. These usually melt all over everything.
I suggest you consider a safe deposit box in a bank first. Not as conveinient, but more practical.
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Valued Member
United States
240 Posts |
Ok, thanks for the responses! I think I will try a lockbox in the bank, its only $35 for a year at my local bank!
-Dillon
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1699 Posts |
I heard that a jar of coal will keep moisture out. Is this true?. I just dont think that would be the cleanest way of doing it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Quote:
I suggest you consider a safe deposit box in a bank first. Not as convenient, but more practical.  Fire, Flood, Theft.....are the best reasons to put your coins in a Safety Deposit Box (SDB) Safes are only "fire rated" for a certain high temperature for so many minutes........so.....obvious problems there of course. And I trust a "surprise Spring flood" possibility at a bank much more than I do at home in a safe. And theft.....this is just apparent and common sense if you live in a "high crime" area.....and even if you don't. I went through the same exact thought patterns as you are, once upon a time, and as a result of these factors being "weighed" ......I choose the S.D.B. without a doubt. The " only" drawback for me is "convienience".....but the other reasons in totality, easily out-weigh "convienience" for me. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Safe Deposit Box is the best but my coins would never fit in one.
I bought a gun safe real big one and bolted it to the concrete floor.
I live in a low moisture area but I do keep some old newspaper in the safe to absorb moisture and change that about twice a year but notice nothing on any of my coins so far.
I would need a SDB about six feet high and three feet deep and four feet wide like my gun safe and it is full.
So some may not be able to use a SDB as they are not big enough.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
My bank has three different sizes. The large ones are pretty large ! It might surprise ya just how big ! It's so heavy that I can barely carry it to the "little room" from the vault !.....and I'm pretty stout ! The "Bank ladies" tried more than once.....and they couldn't even "slide" it..... let alone lift it !And, it would take about 20 years of cost with the SDB's to equal the safe I wanted a few years ago. But, I now need one (safe) for my guns !...  Those won't fit into my SDB ! .....  (and I'd sure hate to walk into the bank with pistols, ammo, etc !)  Edited by eaglefoot
07/16/2009 3:06 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3077 Posts |
only thing I worry about a SDB is the Government
is this a valid worry?
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Replies: 20 / Views: 2,161 |
Posted 07/08/2009 6:42 pm
