Humidity Controlled Dry Box

The ones I have seen online are pricey...worth it, but pricey.

I'm thinking of making a home made version with a rubber sealed, clear plastic container and about 300-400grams of silica gel (very cheap online) and a card that tells the humidity. I've been a little concerned about the Hawaiian humidity and think this might work.

Any input, thoughts or experience with a dry box?

As long as it is sealed, that should work fine.

I have a couple of dry cabinets as they are quite common and relatively inexpensive here in Hong Kong, and we *need* them (>80% humidity during half the year). I like the vertical ones with drawers as it allows me to sort out my gear into lenses and bodies, and other stuff and just pull out the drawer I need.

Thanks for the info Sirrith. Any companies I could look at online for the type of cabinets you have?

Would rice work just as well as silica gel?

I can't help you out with rice vs silica.

As for ordering online, shipping fees might be a big deterrent, they're quite heavy things.

The brands I know of are: Apollo, and Wonderful. Both Taiwanese I think. I have no idea where you can get them online though, I'm afraid.

Where do you find silica gel online? Is there one particular kind/brand that is recommended? I assume all of them can be regenerated?

I keep all my camera gear in a Pelican case with a couple of these in it.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …0_500_000_Silic​a_Gel.html

DavidR wrote in post #15738852
I keep all my camera gear in a Pelican case with a couple of these in it.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …0_500_000_Silic​a_Gel.html

Cheaper on Amazon. 4 for under $20. Same things. Prime eligible.
I have a few that I rotate thru my Pelican case.

My daughter and son-in-law will be moving to the Philippines, so I was checking into DIY dry box plans, etc., online.

From what I've read, it can be damaging if you let the equipment get TOO dry (dries out seals, lubricants, etc.). Those of you just using a Pelican case with desiccant, is that a real concern? Do you need some way to monitor the humidity inside the case?

DavidR wrote in post #15738852
I keep all my camera gear in a Pelican case with a couple of these in it.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …0_500_000_Silic​a_Gel.html

A huge advantage of using the Pelican cases are the valves to equalize the air pressure. If the air is warm when you close a completely sealed case you'll create a nice vacuum inside which can make it almost impossible to open after things cool off. If you use a different type of sealed case, make sure it has some kind of valve like the Pelicans do.

RTPVid wrote in post #15740710
My daughter and son-in-law will be moving to the Philippines, so I was checking into DIY dry box plans, etc., online.

From what I've read, it can be damaging if you let the equipment get TOO dry (dries out seals, lubricants, etc.). Those of you just using a Pelican case with desiccant, is that a real concern? Do you need some way to monitor the humidity inside the case?

I don't for sure, but I don't think using desiccants alone can over-dry anything. You would need to monitor the humidity only when using a "real" dry-box.

patrick023 wrote in post #15740859
A huge advantage of using the Pelican cases are the valves to equalize the air pressure. If the air is warm when you close a completely sealed case you'll create a nice vacuum inside which can make it almost impossible to open after things cool off. If you use a different type of sealed case, make sure it has some kind of valve like the Pelicans do.

Newer Pelican cases have an automatic pressure equalization valve built in.

v35skyline wrote in post #15740675
Cheaper on Amazon. 4 for under $20. Same things. Prime eligible.
I have a few that I rotate thru my Pelican case.

Thanks, just ordered four more.

Would this work? Seems like it has 5grams more for almost half the cost of the Pelican style. Amazon

http://www.amazon.com …ican+Desiccant+​Silica+Gel Are these 40 grams each or in total?

i use something rudimentary like these airtight container http://www.amazon.com …astic+container​s+airtight alogn with active silica gels.