One common concern of gun owners is that their shooting weapons and gear rust over time. Will they stop working for this? This is especially concerning when you live in regions with high humidity levels.
As mold and rust are the results of moisture and humidity, they cause damage to the guns.
A dehumidifier is a quick solution to your problem. Your shooting gear, ammunition, and guns shall be well protected in any weather. Here, you’ll learn how to install a dehumidifier in a gun safe.
Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
How Many Dehumidifiers Do You Need To Use?
Before installing a dehumidifier in your gun safe, you must know the number of dehumidifiers you need. It greatly depends on the size of your firearm safe.
Knowing how many guns to store inside the gun safe and the humidity of the surrounding area is also mandatory.
It’s recommended to check the empty safe’s humidity level before you install a dehumidifier to make sure that the temperature reading is correct. This way, you get to see the difference each of them made.
Next, you place firearms before measuring the safe humidity inside your gun safe. After you are aware of the gun safe dimensions, you have an estimate of the number of dehumidifiers you need to use.
Most people usually prefer a single dehumidifier.
How To Install A Dehumidifier In A Gun Safe?
Before you begin, ensure that all the parts for installation are properly identified. If you are unaware of any such product, check the instruction manual. Lastly, make sure that you work on a dry-level surface.
Below are some of the steps to install a dehumidifier in a gun safe:
Step 1: Do a Proper Placement
Begin by placing your model at a horizontal level and as much low as possible.
Step 2: Perform the Electrical Drilling
Push the electrical cord via the wall. Connect the cord’s useful end to the outside through the wall from inside. Usually, most of the gun safes come with a pre-drilled electrical entry hole in the bottom. This is situated in the rear region.
If the model you are using has no holes, you just need to create one! An internal outlet is available to guide the electrical cord via the wall.
Step 3: Fix the Mounting Clips
To hold the electrical rod, you need mounting clips. This rod should be mounted horizontally, keeping it as low as required.
Before moving on, examine if the electrical rod interferes with any locking lugs or hinges. Using the given screws to connect clips to the interior, fix the mounting clips by snapping the rod.
Step 4: Insert the Cord
Firstly, you need to ensure that your wire end has a clean cut. You should not ever split your wires. What you should do is take off the back cover of the plug housing.
You shall see two prongs after removing the cover. Place your cord inside the cavity using the prongs. Ensure that it goes inside the housing as much as possible.
Step 5: Shut the Housing Cover Off
Lastly, before reinstalling, you need to switch off the housing cover to make sure it is shut completely. The electrical cord would then lock inside a plug housing.
Step 6: Plug in the Dehumidifier Rod
Inside any power outlet, you need to simply plug the rod in. It must start operating.
Why Should You Choose A Dehumidifier For Gun Safe?
A dehumidifier reduces humidity and moisture from the surroundings. It can soak in water from every safe’s corner, entirely drying it and freeing it of any humidness.
Most of the guns are composed of metal, so they are susceptible to corrosion and rust. If they are exposed to water for a very long time, they can grow on some rust. Due to the metal surface, you will face some chipped or rusted parts if they are revealed to moisture for some time.
Employing dehumidifiers will increase and protect the lifespan of the shooting gears and guns. Some include rechargeable batteries.
They give your gun-safe a fresh smell and keep the shooting gear and guns in mint condition.
Which Model Is Right For Your Gun Safe?
Two main dehumidifier types exist that are perfect for use in your gun safes. They are rod and silica models. Although they differ slightly, they almost perform the same jobs.
While the gel models are not electrical and thus can be put anywhere inside your safe, the rod type is electrical that can warm up the inside of your gun safe to slight degrees.
The gel model can absorb any moisture present in the air. If you have seen the silica gel packet inside shoes to keep it free of any moisture while in the boxes, this is just like that. The rod models will provide similar end results to the silica gel. However, they will leave the surrounding air drier.
Now, choosing one between these two depends heavily on personal choice. Some feel like gel works best for dehumidification, while others feel that rods function better.
Safety Tips You Should Follow
- You should never use dehumidifiers with other plugs
- Remember to unplug your device when you install it.
- Never use the dehumidifier if you suspect that the cord is broken
- Dehumidifiers can never be used anywhere near fumes or explosives
- Cords, plugs, and dehumidifiers should never be submerged in water
- The dehumidifiers for gun safe are made for indoor usage.
Final Words
That calls for a wrap-up now! You now know how to install a dehumidifier in a gun safe easily.
Usually, it is really easy to install the dehumidifier in your gun safe. The most difficult step is to choose the correct model.
Nevertheless, let us know your thoughts in the comments.