Team,
I’m ready to upgrade/replace my gun storage solution. However, to go bigger, I have to go to the garage. I’m thinking about the Liberty “Franklin” series in either size 35 or 50. Here are my concerns/questions:
Thanks in advance.
Frank
My safe is in my garage.
I use a Remington dehumidifier. It sucked for my surplus guns; I sold them as they were all rusting. My current guns are all of modern manufacturing and do not have any rusting issues.
If you live near a flood plain, think of ways to keep your safe dry.
I choose to put it in the garage as I knew I could put a big ass drop anchor through the floor. If my safe is going somewhere, so is about 4" of the floor it is mounted to.
I personally would not keep weapons outside of a climate controlled environment. Temp changes will eventually corrode them.
I would look into the Liberty Lincoln series. I have experience with them.
Higher cost, but much better security and comes with dehumidifier.
I agree. If the safe is out in the garage where the climate can’t be controlled and you live in a high humidity area, I don’t think you will find a dehumidifier that will fit in your safe and the will dehumidify effectively enough. The small ones may but I wouldn’t think so. Have you thought of trying to control the climate in the garage with heating/air (window unit) and a room dehumidifier (with water tub)?
HK
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HK,
For right now you could box in a little section of the garage so a standard dehumidifier could control the interior of the enclosure. It doesn’t have to be airtight to start, just snug enough that you aren’t asking too much of the dehumidifier. Plus you get the added benefit of out of sight/out of mind for passers through if that’s an issue. You can always upgrade or add on at a later date.
Good Luck, Keith
P.S. Regular content check and some sort of monitor should be a part of the plan also.
In the living space, humidity controlled and with safe heaters… Two safes will fit where one big one won’t… Ron
I have mine in the garage per HH6. Where I live I don’t have to worry about humidity and my garage is insulated. I like having mine there due to being able to anchor it to concrete without damaging flooring in the house.
So, I spoke to my Liberty Safe dealer here in town. He said they install them in garages all the time (of course he would). Anyway, he observed that the 12" Golden Rod is designed to dehumidify roughly 104 sq. ft. The largest safe he sells maxes out at about 55 sq. ft. He further observed that when you open it and the temperature and humidity get in, it only takes about 8 minutes for that 12" model to remedy the humidity in the safe. How does that sound to y’all? Reasonable?
Thanks again, in advance.
Good info. That is impressive. I guess since it is mostly sealed that makes sense. I am still surprised how efficient the rods are. A friend of mine has a basement living room (now kids play room) that has very high humidity and I know we have to empty the water tub on the humidifier every couple of days or it will overflow
HK
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My garage is way too humid in the summertime to put a safe.
Related issue here (not intending to threadjack)… I just purchased a Rigid jobsite box to put in the garage for bulk ammo storage. Garage is attached, insulated, motion sensor alarmed and has a gas (forced air) heater with its own thermostat - it never goes below ~62 degrees. However, I hadn’t (until now) worried about summer heat and humidity. Ammo is in factory cardboard boxes - am I risking corrosion problems due to humidity?
I suppose the other alternative would be the basement, which is not climate controlled, but does have a 24-7 dehumidifier that is plumbed into the A/C condensation removal system. I probably wouldn’t have to anchor the box (too heavy to get up the stairs once filled), but this would require HH6 approval (which is always uncertain).
Recommendations appreciated; thanks.
I’d strongly recommend you put that ammo in a sealed ammo can with dessicant; afterwards you should be OK.
Liberty 30 gun Safe, in the garage, in Florida.
18" Goldenrod and one of those plug in rechargable desiccant packs keeps the interior between 48-55% (lowest and highest that I have seen) humidity, while the garage has been up to 80%.
Thanks for this info. Very helpful. I do have one question: what humidity level is considered ideal for storing guns?
I would think you would want it pretty low, and may be lower would be better, but then I guess you would have to worry about material at a certain point, like drying out wood stocks and leather. Also, electronics maybe effected at lower humidity due to build up of static electricity. However, I may be, and probably am wrong though.
HK
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OK, so HH6 approval received for jobsite box in the basement. Also, case of excellent condition 30 cal. ammo boxes received from eBay, so I think I’m ready to go - I just need to pick a desiccant. Does anyone have any recommendations for rechargeable desiccants that would be appropriately sized for 30 cal. ammo cans?
I was thinking of ordering these - does anyone have any experience with them:
40 Gram Desiccant Silica Gel, 4-Pack - Fits Pelican Cases.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HXXBPQ/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=hi
I have several friends here in the coastal SE that keep their safes in the garage with a golden rod without issue. Humidity stays around 90% through the summer months. I plan to do the same when I upgrade to a larger safe this year.
Cheers,
Stephen
My biggest concern is the security risk of keeping a safe in the garage. My alarm system does not include my garage and the doors have windows. Most safes are more of a deterrent and can be defeted by a determined crook in under 30 min.
I kept my safe in my unheated/uncooled attached garage in SC for 3 years. I used the largest goldenrod that would fit, and never had an issue. New guns, old guns, nada.