Long-Term Storage of Equipment


I will have to box up speakers, Amp, digi-players, and a turntable for several months due to a temporary move.

Apart from temperature-controlled storage, what can I do to make sure that all is well?

I'm thinking about those "silica" packets that we've all seen in new boxes. Apparently it does something regarding humidity...

Any thoughts on whether this is something that I should chack into?

Any suggestions appreciated.
gthirteen
I especially like Multisorb's 40 gram "DriCan." The plastic model can even be recycled in the microwave.

An aluminum version similar to "DriCan" can be purchased retail from:
http://www.dehumidify.com

Budrew, please let me know if Multisorb helps you out, because I would like to try a couple of their plastic "DriCans."
Multisorb is the biggest and the best manufacturer of these products based on my research thus far. I think they are wholesale only, but may be happy to send you some samples.

If Multisorb won't help you, I can guide you to some retailers....later....gotta run.
Just bought an external hard drive that came with this brand: Natrasorb.

http://www.multisorb.com/products/natrasorb.html

You can dry it out in the oven. I've contacted them to order some. May be wholesale only though.
Wow, Earnestmoney, thanks for the response! I appreciate knowing the details of such everyday underappreciated products. There's history behind these products that's interesting, though we seem to take them for granted.
Hello Budrew. Your question inspired me to do a little research. Yes, hardware stores and arts & crafts stores supposedly carry silica gel, though I have never noticed it anywhere. A guy on ebay is recycling the stuff for about 10 to 25 cents per packet if you purchase in quantity.

Silica gel is waaaay cooler and waaaay more important than I ever thought! I'm now contemplating starting a distributorship to help fellow A'goners protect their valuable stored gear. But, I'm too busy with other things for now.

Silica gel was invented just prior to WWI for use in gas masks for the Allied troops. Again, we used it during WWII to keep penicillin fresh for our troops. Since WWII, government and industry have found a wide number of uses for it, such as: keeping a lot of medicines fresh, "mothballing" U.S. Navy equipment; preventing expensive optics from fogging in cameras and rifle scopes; preventing mold and mildew in fine leather and clothing; protecting the contents of vaults; maintaining artifacts in museums worldwide; protecting expensive food items from mold and worse; and most importantly (to me) protecting electronics from rust, corrosion, pitting, staining, and oxidation.

Silica gel comes in two types: indicating and nonindicating. I prefer the indicating type because it turns from bright blue to pink as it becomes full of water vapor, signaling it is time to recycle.

Silica gel lasts forever. You can recycle it in your oven to remove the water vapor, and the indicating type returns to its original bright blue color ready to do its job again.

People just don't realize that high humidity results in microscopic water droplets all over their expensive equipment. In a sealed bag, box, or closet silica gel can be very effective in maintaining a desirable relative humidity of 40-60%, and the indicating silica gel makes it easy. You need 40 grams of silica gel for every 3 cubic feet of sealed environment that you want to protect.

If I ever get busy marketing my wooden audio shipping crates to A'goners, I will definitely include silica gel as standard equipment. Who would want their expensive electronics sitting on some damp dock when it is raining outside? Not me.

No wonder these little packets come in so much stuff :)

Best wishes,
I'm glad to hear that you are going to keep your equipment in a temperature-controlled storage area. If you know that high humidity could indeed be a potential problem, then go with the silica packets. They have to be very inexpensive and apparently offer a fair measure of protection. I keep some silica capsules (free from medicine bottles) with my vintage Mcintosh gear stored in the back room.

I always seal audio components in large plastic garbage bags prior to boxing. In this way I don't have to worry about someone knocking a drink over into the box. Additionally, I always store audio boxes off the floor just in case a drink is spilled or I have a plumbing problem. I currently have a couple of small 2"x4" wood boards under my stored gear.

Regards,