Using Damp Rid in Lens box

Hi guys,

Summer is nearly her in New Zealand, and the humidity is starting to rise. Now I have some new lenses, I want to keep them fungus free. Would using a small amount of Damp Rid would be ok with the lenses in a airtight container?

CircuitR wrote in post #11230896
Hi guys,

Summer is nearly her in New Zealand, and the humidity is starting to rise. Now I have some new lenses, I want to keep them fungus free. Would using a small amount of Damp Rid would be ok with the lenses in a airtight container?

As long as the container IS airtight, that would work.

The actual Damp Rid things made to drop the humidity in a room can suck up a huge amount of moisture and would last ages in a box of some sort (even if not perfectly sealed). I use them each summer to keep humidity down and stop growth on the walls etc. You can see the water collecting at the bottom and the damp rid crystals disappear so it's easy to tell when it is no longer effective.

In a sealed container the silica gels will even work OK.

How damp does it really get in NZ anyway?

phreeky wrote in post #11232682
The actual Damp Rid things made to drop the humidity in a room can suck up a huge amount of moisture and would last ages in a box of some sort (even if not perfectly sealed). I use them each summer to keep humidity down and stop growth on the walls etc. You can see the water collecting at the bottom and the damp rid crystals disappear so it's easy to tell when it is no longer effective.

In a sealed container the silica gels will even work OK.

How damp does it really get in NZ anyway?

I've only put a teaspoon of Damp Rid into a cut down soft drink bottle. So far it's at 46% RH.
It got up to 65% yesterday and I know it can only go up over the next few months, sometimes over xmas period it can go over 75%.

I was worried that the Damp Rid could oxidise the lens being a super salt. But the container says only if it actually touches metal it can cause rusting.

I was looking for silica gel to go in the Pelican case that I keep in the back of my truck given the temp changes, especially now since during the day it may climb to the 60's F and 40'sF or lower. I found an enclosed can that is meant for gun safes. When the particles turn pink you can put it in the oven and refresh the beads. Living in the Southern part of the US humid is the exception especially during the summer. Of course fall has fell and winter conditions, rain, mist and wind can sure play havoc on equipment. I have been using the kit since late July and only a few of the beads have changed color from white to pink, pink indicates they have absorbed moisture.