Best way to use Moisture Absorber with Camera Equipment

[leon]

Hi Guys,
Just wondering dose anyone here use a moisture absorbing desiccant in with their camera/telescope gear especially in the humid Queensland and NT States.
If so what is the best way to go about this.
I have several camera bags and camera accessories, do i just get some small packets of Silaca Gel for instance and put a few in the bags, or is there a better way.

Many Thanks.

Leon

[Shano592 (Shane)]

I use the silica packs as they are. That is the way for them to be most effective, with the greatest exposure.

You can get differing types, too. Some change colour when they are full of moisture, some go hard, so you can know at a glance/touch whether they are still effective.

In the telescope case I just lay a few out, and forget about them until next observing night, when I pull them out.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Small silica packs are useless for long term desiccation. OK for a one off transit to somewhere but they absorb very little water. If you have camera bags which are being used you need some larger packets and you need to dry them regularly in a hot oven to keep them going. They don't absorb water for ever, they become saturated and need a few hours at about 150 degrees or so to dry them out.
Not sure where you'll get larger bags, I got mine from equipment coming in from overseas at work. They are about 150 mm x 75 mm, a small sack. I just cycle a few through and keep a few dry ones ready to go in a sealed container.

[CJ (Chris)]

You can get all manner of silica gel bag sizes on ebay. I bought several larger ones and keep a few in my camera, eyepiece and binocular bags and boxes. It's worked so far!

[Slawomir (Suavi)]

I'm thinking of getting a dry cabinet (like a Wonderful Dry Cabinet) to store my refractor and accessories.

[leon]

Many thanks for your responses?suggestions.

Leon

[Dave221 (David)]

Leon, I use small reusable ‘tins’ of desiccant (Hydrosorbent Silica gel 40 gram) which I order from ‘SilicaGel.com.au’.

[RAJAH235]

Any "Office M/C" (photocopier, etc.,) comes packed with fairly large bags of desiccant.
Go to any Office Supplies Co. & see if they have any left-overs.
All free.
&, as stated, they can be re-activated in a hot oven, just don't stick them in with the weekend roast.