+Albino Parrot Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 I'm preparing my first cache and am seeking advice on keeping the contents dry. I've already added a gasket to a 4 quart container with a screw type lid. Would adding moisture absorbing silica gel be a good idea, or just overkill? I will be doing some more geocaching before I hide this one, so I'm not in any real rush. Thanks, Albino Parrot Quote Link to comment
+Snideswipe Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 Your best bet against moisture is the ever present baggy. Little packets of silica gel are cool, but just added bulk imho. Of course, you could stick a few in with the logbook, that might not be a bad idea. I've found quite a few damp logbooks so far. Quote Link to comment
+GIDEON-X Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 I have found (like a lot of other cachers) damp / soggy log-books, I carry a supply of Baggies (Zip-Lock). and even if the log-book is dry I will but it in a baggie, and return it to the cache. The dry-it stuff, would be ok for condensate etc., and it takes little room. A good seal on the container really helps Quote Link to comment
+9Key Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 Put your logbook in a one of those thick freezer bags with the zipper closure and put the silica packet in the bag with the logbook. Dry dry dry! Quote Link to comment
dave and jaime Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 you dont really have much of a chance in keeping things dry. dampness will find its way into even the best sealed container. concentrate on keeping out water and then use the desicant to combat the humidy issues. caching in damp weather means that the air in the cache is damp due to opening and closing, when it warms it essentially rains in the cache container. i know that most area dont have the climate that we have but id be real interested in seeing the method used to keep a cahce dry in our climate. Quote Link to comment
+DustyJacket Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 In warm weather, opening a cache lets in warm humid air. (Except Arizona and a few place, I'll bet.) Cold weather causes the humidity to condense on the inside walls of the cache causing dampness which seems to penetrate baggies at times. Silica gel packs would help, but you have to dry them in your stove from time to time. And you have to keep people from taking them as trade items. Quote Link to comment
+Life Journey Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 A little off topic I know - but where do you get the silica gel packs (other than keeping the ones that have come with something you've bought)? I've read that if you store stuff in your attic in plastic boxes, that you should throw some of the silica packs in the box to help with condensation problems. I am regretting throwing those things away over the years! So does anyone know where to buy some? Quote Link to comment
emailerin Posted January 22, 2004 Share Posted January 22, 2004 I have had pretty good luck with going to a shoe store and asking for them. Places like Payless shoes don't really care and since it is usually some 16 year old behind the counter, they will just give them to you. The most I have gotten were around 20. I am not sure where to "buy" them. I hope that helps! Erin Quote Link to comment
+rusty_tlc Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 In the catagory of for what it's worth. Dessicants do not last forever, they take up water until they are saturated. In this context saturated dosen't mean dripping with water, the packets may appear dry. They just won't absorb any more water. You can re-use them by drying for a long time at a low temperature. Say 10 or 12 hours at the lowest setting. Quote Link to comment
+Albino Parrot Posted January 23, 2004 Author Share Posted January 23, 2004 (edited) Wow! I posted this question before heading to work the evening shift and come home to some valuable pointers. You guys and/or gals are pretty cool. I still want to check out some other caches before I place one, but I'm pretty sure I'll just try the desiccant in the log book baggy and check the cache every so often to see if moisture problems warrant purchasing some of the larger packets. By the way, as to where to purchase desiccant, I don't know the best place, but saw some interesting auctions on ebay. Edited January 23, 2004 by Albino Parrot Quote Link to comment
+MissJenn Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 So does anyone know where to buy some? Bio World is one option. I've never bought from them - I just know this is in their inventory: 100 6g packs for $20 Quote Link to comment
+MissJenn Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 put the silica packet in the bag with the logbook.Dry dry dry! I think I just found my new signature item! Quote Link to comment
+DustyJacket Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I think I just found my new signature item! Someone is already placing signature silica gel bags with their name/logo printed on it. But, we need more folks doing this. I need to find some, too. It seems all the caches around here are damp right now. Quote Link to comment
+Dad and the Dynamic Duo Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I think I just found my new signature item! Someone is already placing signature silica gel bags with their name/logo printed on it. But, we need more folks doing this. I need to find some, too. It seems all the caches around here are damp right now. I'm not sure if this is who you are referring to, but Centaur from the Chicago area has done these. One time, I had time only to do one cache and I chose one he'd been to recently so that I could pick up one of his packs for a cache I was setting up. Ammo box and one of thoise along with anything paper in goog quality Zip bags seems to work very well for me. Now if I could only keep my little bitty micro dry! George Quote Link to comment
+nincehelser Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Silica gel packs would help, but you have to dry them in your stove from time to time.And you have to keep people from taking them as trade items. And there's that other problem trying to stop people from eating them George Quote Link to comment
InsaneLampshade Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 apparantly the only reason it says "do not eat" on the packet isn't because the contents are poisonous, it's because the packet is a choking hazard Quote Link to comment
+Team Flashncache Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 My 2 #%^*$ Daggone it! When I learnt to type, the &$@^ keyboard had the 'cents' key on it. Anyway, I don't think a dessicant is out of line. Nearly every logbook I've come across has been damp/wet. Quote Link to comment
+Brer Rabbit Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 FOLKS, try your local pharmacist. All forms of silica containers are frequently placed in drug bottles from wholesalers. We throw them away all the time. If you ask your local pharmacist, I'll bet he will save a few for you over a week's time. Quote Link to comment
+Wulfster Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 This would be nice in a larger cache. Quote Link to comment
Link & Zelda Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 (edited) Be aware that some dehumidifying packets have a limited "dry-n-reuse" lifetime. I have an Ewa underwater camera bag that I use with their CD5 "Moisture Munchers". Very effective but can only be "refreshed" about 5 times. Also, you can't tell if the small dessicant bags you typically find in shoeboxes have engorged themselves to the max with water. CD5 and others change color once saturated. Here's a good price on an alternative. They can be reused an umlimited number of times: http://www.dehumidify.com/ProdDisc.html You can order them through the Bass Pro Shops catalog, 2oz for $5.99: http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catal...t=SearchResults Or any of these retail shops: http://www.dehumidify.com/retail.html Edited January 27, 2004 by Link & Zelda Quote Link to comment
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