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An idea of DIY dry cabinet - what do you think?

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Printed Date: 14 February 2025 at 19:13


Topic: An idea of DIY dry cabinet - what do you think?
Posted By: dealaddict
Subject: An idea of DIY dry cabinet - what do you think?
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 04:12
Hi,

I come up with an idea to DIY a dry cabinet, because I don't want to spend several hundred dollars on a dry cabinet. I want to get opinion from you.

Basically, I need an air tight box with silicon gel. I plan to buy a wine cellar because it is air tight and has a glass door. Then I will stick a hydrometer against the glass so I can monitor the humidity inside, and throw in rechargeable silicon gel. This way is cheap. I can easily find a wine cellar below $100, then $20 for a hydrometer, and $30 for a rechargeable silicon gel, total comes to $150.

What do you think? Would this work?



Replies:
Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 04:19
It's workable and a good bang for the money. I have a few air-tight 5-gallon plastic tubs with rechargeable silicon gels that I use when I go out to outdoor locations. With the tropical weather here, silicon gel packs inside the camera bag is quite useless as it gets hydrated in a matter of hours when it pours. Beside, it's good protection against the elements of nature.

The plastic tubs cost me less than USD 10.00 each. The silicon gels cost me about USD14.00 per kilo. I use the plastic tubs with silicon gels for other things like storage space for my knives.

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 04:25
There's another grade of silicon gel for radar dishes but it's really very expensive and on my far.far.away.tropical island, it's only available in 50-kilo packs and has to be ordered in advance from my suppliers.

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: brettania
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 04:29
Are you sure such a topic is not http://www.dyxum.com/DFORUM/diy-projects-collection_topic14790.html" rel="nofollow - here?

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http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/posting-images-and-links-faqs_topic28010.html - Posting Images and Links | http://tinyurl.com/oz62mfp - Posts awaiting answers


Posted By: whiteheat
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 04:40
Originally posted by dealaddict dealaddict wrote:

Hi,

I come up with an idea to DIY a dry cabinet, because I don't want to spend several hundred dollars on a dry cabinet. I want to get opinion from you.

Basically, I need an air tight box with silicon gel. I plan to buy a wine cellar because it is air tight and has a glass door. Then I will stick a hydrometer against the glass so I can monitor the humidity inside, and throw in rechargeable silicon gel. This way is cheap. I can easily find a wine cellar below $100, then $20 for a hydrometer, and $30 for a rechargeable silicon gel, total comes to $150.

What do you think? Would this work?


May be I'm missing something here, in which case please excuse my ignorance, but what has this to do with matters photographic?


Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 04:51
Originally posted by brettania brettania wrote:

Are you sure such a topic is not http://www.dyxum.com/DFORUM/diy-projects-collection_topic14790.html" rel="nofollow - here?
Brettania, I had a look around and can't find any references for dry cabinets or dry-boxes. Am I missing something?

Whiteheat, dry cabinets or dry-boxes are storage equipment for camera gears and lens to control humidity and prevent fungi growth on coated glass surfaces. I think the reference of the wine cellar is a Igloo (insulated) Box.

Edit to add: Opps! Silly me... the wine cellar is a fridge and refrigerators are not air-tight. Dealaddict, is it cheaper to buy a dry cabinet instead? There are models like the AIPO Analog Series AS-21L Dry Cabinet (21L) - Black that retails for under USD100 new.

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: dealaddict
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 05:34
Fridge are not air tight? then cold air will comes out? I don't think so, I think they are air tight.

And where did you find the 21L selling for under $100? The 21L is a bit too small for me, but still, if it is under $100, I can buy two.

The cheapest I can find on eBay is the Humibox 60L for $250 free shipping. This DIY approach cost me less than $100.


Posted By: whiteheat
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 06:05
Originally posted by blinztree blinztree wrote:

Originally posted by brettania brettania wrote:

Are you sure such a topic is not http://www.dyxum.com/DFORUM/diy-projects-collection_topic14790.html" rel="nofollow - here?
Brettania, I had a look around and can't find any references for dry cabinets or dry-boxes. Am I missing something?

Whiteheat, dry cabinets or dry-boxes are storage equipment for camera gears and lens to control humidity and prevent fungi growth on coated glass surfaces. I think the reference of the wine cellar is a Igloo (insulated) Box.

Edit to add: Opps! Silly me... the wine cellar is a fridge and refrigerators are not air-tight. Dealaddict, is it cheaper to buy a dry cabinet instead? There are models like the AIPO Analog Series AS-21L Dry Cabinet (21L) - Black that retails for under USD100 new.

Oh, I see. OK, well without sounding disrespectful, I think you're on somewhat of a fools errand. Fungal spores pervade the atomosphere and unless something is kept for its entire life in an airtight container that was filled with purified air at its inception, then fungal spores will be present no matter what you do. Only under certain temperature and humidity conditions will they grow and proliferate. You only have to store gear in temperature and humidity conditions that aren't in the fungal growth range, which may not actually require a special storage facility. The only guaranteed protection against a fungal infestation is to have completely sealed lenses. I would assume that Canikon pro line gear is completely sealed and is therefore proofed against fungal infestations. However, nice idea all the same and good luck with it.


Posted By: brettania
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 06:09
@ blinztree -- I was heading out the door and did not have the time to search.


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http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/posting-images-and-links-faqs_topic28010.html - Posting Images and Links | http://tinyurl.com/oz62mfp - Posts awaiting answers


Posted By: brettania
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 06:12
Try this then -- they are expensive and not DYI -- http://www.eurekadrytech.com/" rel="nofollow - linky.

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http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/posting-images-and-links-faqs_topic28010.html - Posting Images and Links | http://tinyurl.com/oz62mfp - Posts awaiting answers


Posted By: sybersitizen
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 06:45
Is there something wrong with http://www.rodex.com/Estore2009/contents/en-us/d35.html" rel="nofollow - these ? I have no idea as I already live in a gigantic dry box called the American Southwest.


Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 06:52
I fully agree with Whiteheat that, especially a used refrigerator is a fungi minefield. Don't rant later that you were never warned. If you are thinking of something on the cheap, try using air-tight containers instead. Just make sure that the humidity is correct as if it is too dry, the rubber seals and grease in your equipment will suffer in the long run.

The availability of the AIPOs cabinets depends on where you are based. Perhaps you should look for local suppliers around you. eBay's prices for certain equipment are sometimes more expensive than other on-line retailers.

You could try Thomas Distribution, B&H.com or Adorama.com. I'm in Asia at the moment so unless you are based* here as well, pricing may not make much difference to those offered by Thomas Distribution, B&H.com or Adorama.com.

If you are, let me know and I'll sent you a PM for my sources

Whiteheat, as long as your sealed lens elements are exposed such as the front elements, it's a candidate for fungi attack when humidity is high. Fungi cannot tell the difference between pro and non-pro line lens. It's all the same.

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 07:12
Originally posted by sybersitizen sybersitizen wrote:

Is there something wrong with http://www.rodex.com/Estore2009/contents/en-us/d35.html" rel="nofollow - these ? I have no idea as I already live in a gigantic dry box called the American Southwest.
Lucky you . Woe is me... Asia is a gigantic "Petri dish" for camera lens

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: dealaddict
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 07:24
Actually, I am in Vancouver, Canada. It is pretty dry here compare to Asia. And I just put my lenses on the shelf for the past 3 years. But recently, I start to concern about the humidity, probably because of my investment on lenses grow, and I need to somehow protect my investment. At home, the RH can go up to 66% recently. And I read that the ideal RH for lens is 40%, and fungus may grown if RH is higher than 60%. Of course, I also read that the best way to avoid fungus is to use the lens and expose under sunlight, the dry cabinet is more a piece of mind. So, I want to make sure my idea doesn't do any harm than good.

Back to my concept, let's say the wine cellar is basically a fridge. And the one I looked is a plastic case with a sealed glass door like those in fridge. So, it looks no different to me than a bigger air tight box with a swing door, so, why a refrigerator is a fungi minefield? And BTW, I am not going to turn it on, I simply use it as an air tight container.


Posted By: dealaddict
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 07:28
And BTW, I search everywhere in Canada and US, including BH and Adorama. It seems they don't carry these dry cabinets. Maybe there is really no need in US and Canada?


Posted By: sybersitizen
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 07:36
Originally posted by sybersitizen sybersitizen wrote:

Is there something wrong with http://www.rodex.com/Estore2009/contents/en-us/d35.html" rel="nofollow - these ? I have no idea as I already live in a gigantic dry box called the American Southwest.

Originally posted by blinztree blinztree wrote:

Lucky you . Woe is me... Asia is a gigantic "Petri dish" for camera lens

Coincidentally, the boxes I linked to come from Singapore. They seem reasonably priced in the smaller sizes.


Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 07:39
You can do a pressure test and see if there is any differences in air pressures several hours later. Refrigerators were not designed to be air-tight.

I referred to a used refrigerator. Most used refrigerators are used to store cold items and damp/ moist surfaces, ice and condensation forms over time and seep into cracks and attracts fungi colonies.

Unless you plan to seal the seams and vents off with perhaps a silicon rubber or gout sealer but it really sounds like a lot of work but after all, it's a DIY project. It's your call, Mate.

I returned a body to the seller recently because the viewfinder had fungi because he did not keep the body in a dry cabinet or dry-box. I had a peek at the sensor and I am deeply saddened. Your camera should also be stored in the cabinet as well.

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 07:43
Originally posted by dealaddict dealaddict wrote:

And BTW, I search everywhere in Canada and US, including BH and Adorama. It seems they don't carry these dry cabinets. Maybe there is really no need in US and Canada?
Maybe but I have received lens with fungi from an on-line UK seller as well.

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: dealaddict
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 08:02
I don't think that will work. I actually find an online store in Malaysia selling a 48L for $180, but then the shipping is $470 total comes to $650.   


Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 12:13
Here's one near you from Amazon.com... USD199.00 and it's digital

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Dehumidify-Dry-Cabinet-Box/dp/B0086LMFF8/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1340104246&sr=8-28&keywords=camera+dry+cabinet" rel="nofollow - 21 Liter Dry Cabinet

http://www.amazon.com/electronic-automatic-digital-control-cabinet/dp/B0086M2HW8/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1340106465&sr=8-32&keywords=camera+dry+cabinet" rel="nofollow - 38 Liter for USD 299.00

BTW, I am not endorsing these products as I do not have any serving interest with them. Also have a look at this eBay item; 130704978919

I have also come across many cases of eBay offers from US sellers offering lens with fungi but they have stated it as so and were offered as faulty- no returns or refunds policy.

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: paulofessel
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 12:53
http://blog.rostev.com/2009/08/dry-box.html" rel="nofollow - Here is one idea , and http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=pt&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.rostev.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fdry-box.html" rel="nofollow - here is the translation.

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http://public.fotki.com/Zarastro/ - Fotki

α900+some FF glass
α700+some DC glass
KM5D, R.I.P.


Posted By: brettania
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 13:26
Paulo -- exactly what the OP is looking for. TFS.

I'll be getting one myself.



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http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/posting-images-and-links-faqs_topic28010.html - Posting Images and Links | http://tinyurl.com/oz62mfp - Posts awaiting answers


Posted By: Kaolinchemist
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 14:55
You can get a large airtight box from Amazon for $27

http://www.amazon.com/62-8-Qt-Ultimate-Airtight-Tote/dp/B002LHP9HY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/62-8-Qt-Ultimate-Airtight-Tote/dp/B002LHP9HY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top" rel="nofollow - Box $27


A hygrometer from there also for $9

http://www.amazon.com/Analog-Hygrometer-2-25-Western-Humidors/dp/B0007VWEQA/ref=pd_sim_hg_5

http://www.amazon.com/Analog-Hygrometer-2-25-Western-Humidors/dp/B0007VWEQA/ref=pd_sim_hg_5" rel="nofollow - hygrometer

And a rechargeable dessicant for $26:

http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-E-500-Renewable-Wireless-Dehumidifer/dp/B000H0XFD2/ref=pd_sim_hpc_1

http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-E-500-Renewable-Wireless-Dehumidifer/dp/B000H0XFD2/ref=pd_sim_hpc_1" rel="nofollow - Dessicant $26

So a DIY box for $62 (excluding camera gear :) )



Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 15:38
That's great news, Lads. Now the OP has lotsa options available ;-)

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: fem2008
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 16:11
Some great ideas here.

I use the same tote below and a a large desiccant bag for some of my photographic stuff.   This Tote is available at the Container Store in the US for about $22, if anyone wants to check it out in person.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage/totes?productId=10026213&N=71235" rel="nofollow - Water tight Totes ($15 - $22)

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage?productId=10024301&N=62519&Ntt=airtight" rel="nofollow - Water Tight 20 Gal. Trunk


Originally posted by Kaolinchemist Kaolinchemist wrote:

You can get a large airtight box from Amazon for $27

http://www.amazon.com/62-8-Qt-Ultimate-Airtight-Tote/dp/B002LHP9HY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/62-8-Qt-Ultimate-Airtight-Tote/dp/B002LHP9HY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top" rel="nofollow - Box $27






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Fem2008
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fem2008/ - My Flickr Page


Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 17:01
Originally posted by brettania brettania wrote:

Paulo -- exactly what the OP is looking for. TFS.

I'll be getting one myself.
Brettania, after saving that much money in smokes, you can afford a proper 48 liter dry cabinet. No need to go on the cheap

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters


Posted By: waleskeg
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 22:32
Originally posted by blinztree blinztree wrote:

You can do a pressure test and see if there is any differences in air pressures several hours later. Refrigerators were not designed to be air-tight.

I referred to a used refrigerator. Most used refrigerators are used to store cold items and damp/ moist surfaces, ice and condensation forms over time and seep into cracks and attracts fungi colonies.

Unless you plan to seal the seams and vents off with perhaps a silicon rubber or gout sealer but it really sounds like a lot of work but after all, it's a DIY project. It's your call, Mate.

I returned a body to the seller recently because the viewfinder had fungi because he did not keep the body in a dry cabinet or dry-box. I had a peek at the sensor and I am deeply saddened. Your camera should also be stored in the cabinet as well.


I posted quite some time ago on one of the threads hereabout what I did
when someone had talked about it. On CraigsList I bought one of those small college sized fridges (a silver Magic Chef to be exact) for about $25 or $30 and it was nearly new. Took the rheostat assy out, disconnecting the compressor. Added a light bulb socket and a maybe 5 watt tiny bulb that I could control through the old rheostat that controlled the fridge temp. For under $50 I have a fairly tight box that stores cameras and lenses.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenwales - http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenwales


Posted By: blek
Date Posted: 19 June 2012 at 23:43
Laugh at me, I use tart box at home and plastic bag for travelling. Both are air tight!

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100% Second Hand Gear or Inherited Gear. AF and MD users are rare here...


Posted By: brettania
Date Posted: 20 June 2012 at 01:33
Originally posted by blinztree blinztree wrote:

Originally posted by brettania brettania wrote:

Paulo -- exactly what the OP is looking for. TFS.

I'll be getting one myself.
Brettania, after saving that much money in smokes, you can afford a proper 48 liter dry cabinet. No need to go on the cheap


That money is already spent and in advance.

Recent purchases are a heat pump and I am awaiting the installation of my new 23" Philips LED monitor hooked up with a new video card which will give a max reso of 2560x1600 in DVI mode! I have also had to replace an external HD which crashed.

Should all be up and running in 24 hours.

I have also upgraded my software from PSP v.3 to v.4.

So not counting the heat pump that's about US$580.





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Posted By: blinztree
Date Posted: 20 June 2012 at 05:17
That reminds me to get a big air-tight trunk for my strobes as they can't fit into the plastic tubs. I didn't even think about the trunk until you Blokes brought it up. In the tropics, humidity plays havoc with circuit boards as well. I plan to extend my strobes' shelf-life(s) by at least 15 years.

I bought my rechargeable silicon gels from local chemical suppliers. I rechecked my quotations and they are USD6.00 per kilo, not USD14.00. It's cheaper by leaps than buying from camera stores. The Chinese-made gels are quite cheap and reliable. I have been using mine for almost three years now and I recharge them at least once a month. On wet months, sometimes I have to charge them weekly. It's divided up into three parts for three tubs.

I had a re-look at my tubs, saw the label and price tag still attached and they are 7-gal tubs. Only USD5.86 per tub. ;-)

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¿Location? Beats me... I'm lost on a far.far.away.tropical island.

Eldred ZeTerrible@Borneo, Land of the Head Hunters



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