It's claimed you can re-dry Silical Gel in a 250-300 degree oven for a
half-hour. Google on -silica gel dry oven- .
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Phil Wilson
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"UnclePhil" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hello to you,

wrote:
I have a few Anvil style racks of audio gear (amplifiers, compressors,
gates, etc.) in storage and I'm concerned about moisture/humidity. Is
there anything I could place inside of the racks that would help absorb
moisture from the air inside of the closed racks? At what percentage of
humidity do I need to worry about the gear?

The humidity situation, or lack thereof, is dependant upon the
vulnerability of the storage environment to humidity, drafts, and
sudden temperature changes. As several posters have suggested, Silica
Gel packs will help absorb moisture very well. There are potential
issues however.

Silica Gel, like any other desiccant, will absorb moisture until it
becomes as moist as the environment that it is trying to protect.
Simply, if the storage enviroment continually adds to the humidity of
the stored items, the Silica Gel will finally become saturated and will
not offer further protection.

You should seal the equipment inside of a carton, or box, with a vapour
barrier of poly sheathing that is folded and taped airtight. WITH THE
SILICA GEL PACKS INSIDE the sealed poly.

If a box or carton is impractical, just wrap the equipment in a dry
blanket with the silica gel packs. Then wrap, and tape tight some poly
sheathing over the entire package.

***The ambient air cannot be allowed to recirculate within your stored
equipment.
***The storage area should not be subject to sudden, large temperature
changes.
***Humidity should not exceed 40% (non-condensing - see above point
regarding temp)

There are other common desiccants, like clay (kitty litter) that will
work quite well if you dry the clay in a preheated oven (200 deg C or
400 deg F) for about 30 minutes, or when the colour of the clay is even
and light. Clay can be "recharged" as a desiccant by heating it again
to drive the moisture from it.

Basically, choose a storage area that is not naturally humid, and not
subject to sudden, large temperature changes. Seal the equipment
inside a dry blanket, box, carton, etc... with a sealed vapour barrier
material with a fresh, dry desiccant material like Silica Gel or clay.


Hope this may help,
Phil Simpson.