Question about humidity

[Petespockets55]

Good info on humidity vs. relative humidity.

[VAB2013]

Good info on humidity vs. relative humidity.

Just be glad you are not in Alabama today, it just rained a little bit then the scorching sun came back... it's like 105 in the shade .... but the good news is, I saw a few leaves falling in the wind (probably couldn't stand the heat)

[TPring]

Have you tried removing the rice???

Not yet. In fact, I only put in the rice after the other two methods were not effective.

[TPring]

... The reasoning that the air temperature could/would rise when the vault door is opened, would be supported, if the vault was sitting on a cool concrete floor. Does this represent your experience?

It does -- It is mounted on a concrete slab.


Thanks for that explanation.

[ray_parkhurst]

Keep in mind that dessicants need maintenance, or they can actually cause problems by increasing the RH. A bowl of rice or a silicon based absorber will absorb moisture to a certain extent, somewhat independent of RH, and if the temperature drops they can release moisture back into the environment of the closed safe. The electric element simply stabilizes the temperature, ensuring it never gets cold and thus maintaining low RH. Anyway, key to ensuring low RH is to replace the dessicants often so they don't cause more problems than they are worth.

[jfines69]

Not yet. In fact, I only put in the rice after the other two methods were not effective.

Ok... Then that rules out my idea!!!

[TPring]

Keep in mind that dessicants need maintenance, or they can actually cause problems by increasing the RH.

Yes, as the crystals absorb water they dissolve and the water is deposited in the 'collector bowl' beneath.

We have let them go for a few weeks at a time and there has been about a cup of water that has been collected just sitting there until it is removed.


In the future I will need to keep a closer eye on it.