The Rainy Season

[dunderhead]

As a newbie I have just realised that even waterproof boxes do not prevent the contents from becoming soggy, no doubt due to condensation.

For the usual plastic giveaways, no problem, but the log book is the problem. Even contained in it's own ziplock, still getting soggy.

I'm confident the old hands here will have a simple solution...please.

[+Marbig's Woodenheads]

Just a newbie also. But I'm thinking that if the container(s) is/are airtight, then to avoid condensation silica gel satchets might be the way to go. Googling finds many hits .

[Team Misguided]

Two words...............

 

Ammo Can

 

There are storys of finding ammo cans that have been swept away by flood waters and when found the contents were still bone dry.

[+briansnat]

I don't think there is enough condensation in a container to make things "wet". I've seen some very minor dampness from condensation, but if the logbook is getting soggy, I think there is water getting in the container.

[Tahosa and Sons]

Several of my Ammo Cans spend all winter buried underneath snow and they are still dry when I return in June.

[+What rock?]

If you need to use a box smaller or clearer than an ammo can you can get small notebooks of water resistant paper. We get ours at a military store but I have seen them at hiking stores.

[+RustyBeerCan]

I dont recall ever finding a wet (inside) Ammobox

[+Malarky]

Ammo Can

[+gof1]

Ammo cans can leak.

They still rely on a gasket. This gasket can be damaged.

I will give you that they are less prone to damage than most thing used, but it dose happen.

I think the key to a good container is a gasketed lid and a possitve locking system.

Keep in mind that if the hide is going to be exposed to sun light that most plastics will degrade.

 

Back on topic, I doubt that condensation is the problem here. The seal has either failed, the container was not closed properly, or some thing was not fully inside the container. A piece of paper left in the seal will act as a wick.

 

My bet is cheap containers. No gasket, no positve lock, water inside.

[gerboa]

I think we need a place like the "decay of dead bodies university" where all manner of containers are tested.

Think of the Ph.D's it will generate, without all the icky stuff

[+scavok]

Silica Gel Packets, anyone?

 

http://www.veritemp.com/index.asp?sections...&prodid=1251745

 

Edit to add:

I have noticed in my ammo can hide that if it was last found on a damp day and I go out to check on it on a dry cold morning, the inside feels damp to me. I know the gasket on it is good because it feels the same even after a downpour. It just seems to keep the moisture from passing the gasket in either direction.

Edited May 2, 2006 by scavok

[+mudsneaker]

When its raining and you open any container, including ammo cans, some moisture is going to get inside unless you hover over it with a umbrella or can get under some type of shelter.

I figure thats just a part of the game during the rainy season and do my best to minimize the issue. Wipe out containers when its not raining, replace logs and baggys if needed, and keep on caching.

Those Rite in the Rain logbooks have been the best hands down for surviving the elements. That site seemed to have the better pricing too.

Edited May 2, 2006 by mudsneaker

[+RustyBeerCan]

Im gonna fill a ammocan full of rocks tonight.

Drop it in my 50 gallon Rain bucket overnight

and post what happens in a couple days.

 

 

btw: last

[+The Leprechauns]

I dont recall ever finding a wet (inside) Ammobox

I found an ammo box cache south of Seattle last month that was wet inside. Really wet, as in big droplets of water and a logbook that was too wet to sign with a pencil. There were no obvious signs of damage to the can or the gasket.

 

This cache destroyed my illusions and stole my innocence.

[+RustyBeerCan]

Im gonna fill a ammocan full of rocks tonight.

Drop it in my 50 gallon Rain bucket overnight

and post what happens in a couple days.

I tossed some newspaper and a pack of freebie casino matches in it before dropping it in.

 

TEST RESULTS after 24 hours

The paper was no longer dry and crispy but was not soaking wet , just a cold damp feel to it

 

I used 3 matches to start the paper on fire.

 

Guess, Ill move on to another test

 

Test # 2

same thing but with a "WICK" Newspaper shut in the seal of the ammo can.

[+briansnat]

I dont recall ever finding a wet (inside) Ammobox

 

Its rare, but I've seen it. I had one that got a bit damp inside. Not soaking, can't sign the logbook, everything inside is ruined kind of wet, but it was pretty damp. I replaced it thinking that the seal may have been damaged and several months later the new ammo box had the same complaint.

 

The area does flood periodically so I wonder if that has something to do with it.

[+Tsmola]

yeah I found one ammo box that was slightly damp inside, but when you compare that one to all the tupperware containers I've found that are soaked, the ammo box is the much better way to go.

 

I think I've found only a handful of tupperware containers that WERE NOT wet inside. The second best thing to ammo cans seems to be the Lock N Lock containers.

[+RustyBeerCan]

Im gonna fill a ammocan full of rocks tonight.

Drop it in my 50 gallon Rain bucket overnight

and post what happens in a couple days.

I tossed some newspaper and a pack of freebie casino matches in it before dropping it in.

<hinge side up>

 

TEST RESULTS................. after 24 hours

The paper was no longer dry and crispy but was not soaking wet , just a cold damp feel to it

 

I used 3 matches to start the paper on fire.

 

Guess, Ill move on to another test

 

Test # 2

same thing but with a "WICK" Newspaper shut in the seal of the ammo can.

<bottomside up>

Results for Test #2 .............. 2 days later

The "WICK" Theory proves to be True!

 

the newspaper in the seal was letting water into the ammo can.

the paper inside nearest the seal was soaked

 

I used 1 match to light the newspaper on fire

 

TEST #3

Casino Matchs, Rocks, Chocolate Chip Cookie,Napkin shut in the seal

<topside up>

[+gof1]

You doubted the GOF?

My feeling is hurt, all one of them.

[+RustyBeerCan]

You doubted the GOF?

My feeling is hurt, all one of them.

No, No doubt's at all!

Just trying different things!

 

Any Ideas for test #4?