DE-humidification

[mikeguywest]

Alright group, here's a need for some of us that I couldn't find opinions on through the "search." We all have been pretty well versed in how to keep our guitars from drying out, as that is the worst problem. We have learned a few ways to humidify our guitars. But when it comes to DE-humidifying there seems to be less info out there. Here's my scenario: I live in an area (SF Bay Area, north) where the weather is temperate, but the humidity can range from the 40's to the 80's. I don't have an air conditioner, and during the winter when the house is closed most of the time I have a home dehumidifier unit. However, I'm looking for an "in case" system or unit that is reliable to keep the humidity down to at least below 55%. Humidipaks don't work in this environment, but they seem to be the biggest solution on the market. Any suggestions besides filling my case with silica gel packs? 

[DennisG]

Just to clarify, Mike:  I live in Seattle where we have cool, wet winters.  I would have thought San Francisco's winters would be similar (although maybe not as cold).  In a Seattle winter, de-humidification is accomplished simply by running the heater in the house, a function that dries the air substantially.  So the problem here is just the opposite -- that is, the air in the house gets excessively dry in the winter, and I need to humidify (no DE-humidify) the guitars.  My question is ... do you not need to run the heater during the winter?  Or does your heater not reduce the humidity to the degree that it's safe for the guitars?

I use HumidPaks, and they do a perfect job of keeping the humidity in the safe zone all year long.

[stepchildusmc]

i use 2 humidfiers AND 2 dehumidifiers in my guitar room( ok, ok, lightly converted empty basement... but tastefully done including glass beer coolers and 65" tv). here in NY we get the best of both worlds... 93% humidity yessterday and -20 deg sometimes in the winter.
 i haven't had issues when i had it stocked at 21 guitars. now at just 3 for now humidity's only a problem if the power's out...for that they made humidipaks !

[MartinD]

Hi Mike,
The latest edition of Wood and Steel addresses your question. It seems that humidipaks will work if you keep your guitar in it's case.  Otherwise, purchase a small electric dehumidifer and keep it in a closed room of your house.  However it will require daily emptying of the reservoir unless you use a drain hose.  Most units will remove between 30-50 pints of moisture/day.  I have found that the largest unit runs the quietest. 

[Herb Hunter]

Alright group, here's a need for some of us that I couldn't find opinions on through the "search." We all have been pretty well versed in how to keep our guitars from drying out, as that is the worst problem. We have learned a few ways to humidify our guitars. But when it comes to DE-humidifying there seems to be less info out there. Here's my scenario: I live in an area (SF Bay Area, north) where the weather is temperate, but the humidity can range from the 40's to the 80's. I don't have an air conditioner, and during the winter when the house is closed most of the time I have a home dehumidifier unit. However, I'm looking for an "in case" system or unit that is reliable to keep the humidity down to at least below 55%. Humidipaks don't work in this environment, but they seem to be the biggest solution on the market. Any suggestions besides filling my case with silica gel packs? 

I’m not persuaded that Humidipaks don’t work in the environs of San Francisco. To put it facetiously, how do the Humidipaks know they are in San Francisco? What is it about conditions there that render the packs ineffective? 

[Cindy]

I've had them work for dehumidification as well as humidification. It's best to keep a hygrometer inside the guitar's case to monitor the humidity level. After about 3 months, mine petered out. They were soft and pliable but eventually were unable to keep the humidity within the 40-50% range (the humidity level became too low). Three months is all I've gotten out of them according to my hygrometers no matter whether humidifying or dehumidifying.

For humidification, now I use a sponge in a soap box along with a sound hole humidifier. I still use the Humidipaks for dehumidifying though. 

[stepchildusmc]

gps tracking chips built into them?
they could be like those people that come into your house and format YOUR tv every time you go out to rent a movie

[CodeBlueEMT]

gps tracking chips built into them?
they could be like those people that come into your house and format YOUR tv every time you go out to rent a movie

 No wonder they're so expensive !!! 

 Presently, it's rather humid here in North Carolina. Cold beer and air conditioning keep things tolerable. The Humidipaks are extra insurance during the summer, but a necessity in the winter. It gets dry inside my house. Gotta run the heat almost 3 months. 

 Humidipaks are supposed to be offering a larger version.

[stepchildusmc]

currently 82% humidity here in northern NY at 9am. just gonna get worse. the 2 de-humidifiers are working overtime. i don't usually case my guitars, just leave 'em hangin'...that whole outta sight, outta mind thing i guess, plus if i had a Picasso painting, i wouldn't leave it in the safe... it belongs on display!
 3 months of using a heater huh code? i envy you. we only have "really freaking hot" or "darn it's cold seasons" here.
i only use the humidipaks if i'm taking a guitar out of the house which is rare...i think my neighbors call the cops on me for noise pollution every time i leave the house with a case!

[DonM]

As a cigar guy, yea, that again, I use beads to maintain my RH to 65% in my humidor, sprinkled with distilled water, they emit moisture when the RH drops below 65 RH, but also absorb moisture when it gets too high.  They work great!

As I understand it, Heartfelt Industries has some that are rated at 50% which would work great for instruments.  They are not listed on their site, but if you are in need of something like that, it would be worth a phone call

[mikeguywest]

I appreciate all the help. The consensus I'm getting is that there is no one magic cure, unless you have the opportunity to set up a dedicated room for the guitars. I'm hoping Humidi-Paks will soon come out with a better formula system for higher humidity areas as they currently are not able to get my case (yes, I keep guitar cased except when playing) below 56-57%. I would really like to get mine down to a consistent 50%. I'll keep experimenting. Thanks again!

[jerrytubes]

Humidipak makes (or did make) a "high absorption" packet.  Here's a link to one place that sells them.  They are not listed on Amazon, which I find strange, and on another website (not the one below) they are listed as unavailable.  Maybe someone has a phone number for Humidipak or for Planet Waves.

http://www.instrumentalsavings.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=26566.HD

[harv]

humidity is terrible here in northern mi, I just keep mine in the case in this high of humidity. never had to do anything when its too humid

[mikeguywest]

Thanks, Jerrytube. I didn't know they made such an animal. I contacted Planetwaves to see if they were going to start making these again, as the website you posted seems to be the only place that carries them. I'll give 'em a call.

[mikeguywest]

I checked out the link that Jerrytubes posted (http://www.instrumentalsavings.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=26566.HD
), and they do list them as "High-absorbtion." However, when I contacted Planet Waves about this they said it was no different than what they are currently selling. It might be that when they first came out with the Humidipaks that they were calling them "high-absorbtion" in the first runs then left that off the label after that sometime. Planet Waves is currently working on a new formula for our situation, though.