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

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blinztree View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote blinztree Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: An idea of DIY dry cabinet - what do you think?
    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. ;-)
¿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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brettania View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote brettania Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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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blek View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote blek Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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!
100% Second Hand Gear or Inherited Gear. AF and MD users are rare here...
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Post Options Post Options   Quote waleskeg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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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blinztree View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote blinztree Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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
¿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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fem2008 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote fem2008 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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.

Water tight Totes ($15 - $22)

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

Box $27




 



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blinztree View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote blinztree Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 June 2012 at 15:38
That's great news, Lads. Now the OP has lotsa options available ;-)
¿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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Kaolinchemist View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Kaolinchemist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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

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

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

Dessicant $26

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

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Post Options Post Options   Quote brettania Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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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Post Options Post Options   Quote paulofessel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 June 2012 at 12:53
Fotki

α900+some FF glass
α700+some DC glass
KM5D, R.I.P.
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blinztree View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote blinztree Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 June 2012 at 12:13
Here's one near you from Amazon.com... USD199.00 and it's digital

21 Liter Dry Cabinet

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.

Edited by blinztree - 12 October 2012 at 19:56
¿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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dealaddict View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote dealaddict Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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.   
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blinztree View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote blinztree Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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.
¿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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blinztree View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote blinztree Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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.
¿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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