Dry Storage Cabinet Sources

[rover]

So I have been doing some research regarding the best way to store my stuff over a long period of time. Basically, forever, just in a more controlled environment than I have. This led me to looking for a "Dry Cabinet," one of which I have found here.

http://www.totechamerica.com/html/index_optics.php

This is a very informative and interesting product, like a small refrigerator for photog equip storage. Pricey though.

Does anyone know of any similar products? I have been searching but not having a lot of luck. These guys can't be the only ones making this type of thing. I know that many of our members from Southeast Asia have mentioned something like this.

 

[Peter]

Those are professional grade dry cabinets! I got mine for around US$80 in Singapore and maybe you could contact Cathay Photo at their website. They do international shipping. The link to the website is http://www.cathayphoto.com.sg/

 

[rover]

Is yours a Toyo Living Cabinet Peter? I figured there had to be some "home/personal" use models available.

Thank you for the link, I may have to call or email them as the product pages are not in english. I will search too specificly for Toyo Living stuff for a US dealer to compare prices. Thank you.

 

[Peter]

Actually mine is a locally made dry box by the brand of Am-Pro that I got at a local Carefour sales. Dry cabinet is a must in Singapore's high humidity climate. I would not dare to imagine how many cameras and lenses were destroyed by fungus over the years here. Especially brands like Leica and Contax!

 

[Terence T]

I use a couple of Digi Cabi's line of cabinets. I like their DHC series the best as it allows exact control over humidity levels. They are relatively inexpensive. I paid about $200 for the DHC-100 model (100 litre capacity).

http://digihub.com.sg/product.asp?Cate_ID=5&Cate_Level=2

 

[rover]

Well, these suckers seem to be about as common as hens teeth here in the western hemisphere.

So how about a bump for the evening crowd. Has anyone seen one of there in a more consumer version in North America.

 

[David Doler]

I have a storage cabinet made from an old, dry kitchen cabinet with a small tub of "DampRid" in the bottom. Not as good as a real drybox, but it gets the cameras through the humid US east coat summers quite nicely.

 

[rover]

I am starting to wonder if one of the small wine cellars will work.

 

[Terence T]

Ralph, I think you guessed right, these are not commonly available outside of Asia. I'm kinda surprised the folks down in Florida or Texas do not own one of these. The cabinets are just an enclosed space with seals, very much like a refridgerator, with a small dehumidifying unit attached to the back. I have heard of certain custom solutions where the dehumidifier units were installed in regular cupboards, the units vary in size and capability and fitting the right one or several units in a cupboard can turn it into a relatively effective long term storage solution for camera equipment.

The Digihub link I provided earlier contains cabinets of many different sizes. They might be able to ship overseas so it wouldn't hurt to email them to ask. Be sure to ask about the availibility of 120v power adapters as the local voltage here is 220v.

Another possibility is Drytech, a Taiwanese company manufacturing dry boxes of Japanese design.

http://www.drytech.com.tw/english/

Good luck in your search.

 

[back alley]

several old cigar humidors with a dessicant of some sort.

living on the prairies i don't really have to worry about humidty. even our snow is dry, not good for snow ball fights at all.

i also use an old humidor to house my (master) remote control in the movie/music room.
very cool looking.

gee, i have another one around here somewhere, maybe a p should go in there...hhmmm


joe

 

[back alley]

i never knew that!

is my remote control safe? it's open half the time anyway. (the humidor that is)

joe

 

[rover]

Terence I sent an inquiry about the Digi Cabi DHC 100 you purchased. If priced around $200 that seems like a good option. I just wonder how much it will be to import.

 

[Terence T]

Not sure how large your collection is Ralph but that's a big cabinet for RF gear! I'd estimate it can hold about 20 RF bodies, 40 lenses, film, accessories like finders, meters etc... and still have room left over. You might want to look at the 60L or 80L versions at most!

If you have SLR gear, then it might be alright. And I suppose if you want to cater for growth in your collection, it might also be a good choice.

 

[alansoon]

What a coincidence. My Toyo Living cabinet was just delivered this morning. Sweet. It's a bit pricey (US$280), but it's nicely built -- probably the best I've seen.

 

[Terence T]

Here's a quick and dirty shot of my 60L cabinet to give you an idea of the size. It's pretty full at the moment. Contents include:

14 RF lenses (includes all 3 larger xpan lenses)
11 RF bodies
1 SLR body
16 rolls of film
30 batteries of different varieties (CR123 and lithium cells)
3 Finders
1 Meter
1 Canon Extender

I could probably stuff 3 or 4 more lenses without any issues.

Imagine what a 100L cabinet would be like!

 

[rover]

I know that prices are realive, but for the prices you are quoting these cabinets are a no brainer for me. Bet a US retailer would charge much more due to the low demand.

 

[rover]

OK, I have quotes of $316 for the AD-100 and $390 for the DHC-100. I have asked for prices on the 60L and 80L. These do not include shipping though, which I would have to arrange myself. Would anyone be able to offer a recommendation of who I should contact to inquire about shipping from Asia?

 

[richard_l]

I would advise against it. The spanish cedar that is used to line humidors off gases.
It will even deposit a film on gold jewelery.

Do you think the spanish cedar would still be a problem if it was sealed, say, with several coats of polyurethane varnish?

 

[richard_l]

"If you seal it well, it should be fine. I've done that on special inlay work with no problems. Just be sure the cedar is totally dry."

Thanks.