Storing desiccant packet inside camera back?

kingbuzzie · Apr 27, 2018

I don't have a area that I can store my all my cameras (My two nicest cameras are tucked away in bags along with most of my FD lenses w/ a large dry-pac). I was thinking about tucking a desiccant pack inside the camera back of my unloaded fixed lens cameras. Would that do much of anything?

We live in a pier and beam house, so humidity can spike pretty high in mild weather when the AC isn't running, Typically running around 60% with the AC. I'm kicking myself a little for cheaping out and not getting a two state compressor.

tedr1 · Apr 27, 2018

I don't see why that wouldn't work. Packets have a finite life, some have an indicator dye that turns blue when exhausted, normal service is restored by baking at low temp.

Carter john · Apr 27, 2018

Lots of pills have small desiccants in the bottles. If you know someone that takes pills ask them to save them. I have them in, on, and next to all my cameras, even though I live in a dry area. When I lived in a high humidity area I did have AC (constant), but my Konica C35 I guess never really dried out from outdoor use. When it stopped working I opened it and it was covered with white mold.

Mainecoonmaniac · Apr 27, 2018

If you have an air-tight case like a Pelican case it will work. If you have a bag are a case where it's permeable to moist air, it won't do you any good. PS you don't have to buy them. I work as a computer tech and I save them from Apple Imacs we install. You can also recharge them by putting them in a warmish oven.

BradS · Apr 27, 2018

I've read that desiccant quickly gets saturated and looses its ability to absorb moisture - loosing its effectiveness.

I think that if humidity really is a problem, then constructing some kind of dry box might be a much better solution. We used to use a simple cabinet kinda of thing with a couple of light bulbs to keep the interior warm and fans to keep the air moving.

Mainecoonmaniac · Apr 27, 2018

BradS said:
I've read that desiccant quickly gets saturated and looses its ability to absorb moisture - loosing its effectiveness.

I think that if humidity really is a problem, then constructing some kind of dry box might be a much better solution. We used to use a simple cabinet kinda of thing with a couple of light bulbs to keep the interior warm and fans to keep the air moving.

What might work better is an airtight Pelican type case with desiccant inside. When sealed, will a moist atmosphere from entering the case and the interior is dried by the desiccant.

E. von Hoegh · Apr 27, 2018

Ziploc bags with dessicant pouches, reactivate the dessicant by baking it at 215f regularly, the smaller the pouch the more often you have to reactivate.

E. von Hoegh · Apr 27, 2018

BradS said:
I've read that desiccant quickly gets saturated and looses its ability to absorb moisture - loosing its effectiveness.

I think that if humidity really is a problem, then constructing some kind of dry box might be a much better solution. We used to use a simple cabinet kinda of thing with a couple of light bulbs to keep the interior warm and fans to keep the air moving.

Welders used to store arc rods, brazing rod, gas welding rod, and so on in an old refrigerator with a 100 watt lightbulb at the bottom, where the crispers would be.

David T T · Apr 28, 2018

I'm a nurse, and save all the packets from our pills. I have enough in my bag in a sack to make an orange-sized wad.

mgb74 · Apr 28, 2018

It would certainly work, at least for a while. But keep in mind that there may be tiny bits (powder) of the desiccant that migrate outside the pack and into the camera. I'd prefer the Pelican case suggestion. Monoprice has cheaper versions; don't know if they're good enough. Better to have multiple cases, so you don't have to expose all the gear to humid air when you get something out.

A gun safe with a "golden rod" should work. Essentially like the refrigerator example. The point is to heat the interior a few degrees above ambient temp. Doesn't need to be a safe; a 4 drawer file cabinet would work well.

BTW, a "two state compressor" is huge. I don't blame you for cheaping out.

kingbuzzie · Apr 28, 2018

mgb74 said:
It would certainly work, at least for a while. But keep in mind that there may be tiny bits (powder) of the desiccant that migrate outside the pack and into the camera. I'd prefer the Pelican case suggestion. Monoprice has cheaper versions; don't know if they're good enough. Better to have multiple cases, so you don't have to expose all the gear to humid air when you get something out.

A gun safe with a "golden rod" should work. Essentially like the refrigerator example. The point is to heat the interior a few degrees above ambient temp. Doesn't need to be a safe; a 4 drawer file cabinet would work well.

BTW, a "two state compressor" is huge. I don't blame you for cheaping out.

Hah, yes you caught that. Two STAGE compressor. It really was a mistake not to get the 2 stage compressor to keep the humidity down in a pier and beam house.

Chrismat · Apr 28, 2018

I store most of my equipment in camera bags with these:
https://www.theruststore.com/40-Gram-Rechargeable-Silica-Gel-Canister-P46C6.aspx

kingbuzzie · Apr 29, 2018

Since I don't have any cabinets to stash the cameras in (they're on high shelf). I ended up trying it. The packets look to be of good quality with color indicators and I tucked them into the roll film area not near the shutter.

guangong · Apr 30, 2018

I live in an area quite humid in summer so must use dehumidifiers in every room to protect books, string instruments, etc. Lots of trees and shade so very seldom use air conditioner. Gun safe is a good idea but because of family obligations I didn’t open or inspect for some time last summer. Luckily able to remove superficial growths from all photo equipment and guns so no damage. . Now follow this system: safe heater AND large canister of desiccant, open safe frequently for change of air, and, on rotation, put some equipment from shelves on table outside on bright sunny days. I was thinking about getting a UV light but think sun may be better as well as cheaper.

GRHazelton · Apr 30, 2018

I'd be concerned about dust or small fragments of the silica gel entering the mechanism of a camera if a packet were stored in the camera. Better a "hot rod" or a low wattage incandescent light bulb in a sealed cabinet, or a open canister of the desiccant in the cabinet. The hot rod or light bulb would be maintenance free, in addition as opposed to having to dry out the silica gel.

Storing desiccant packet inside camera back?

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