43 replies to this topic

[dr thrust]

hi, has anybody made a "drying box" for drying the likes of E211 ive got some on the way and i dont think the wifes going to give up the oven! iam after materials,dims ect and if the dam things work!.

ho yes before i forget would a small dehumidifier draw out the moisture? just bouncing a few ideas around !

Edited by chris m, 20 August 2007 - 06:45 PM.

[Creepin_pyro]

This thread covers the topic in some detail.

[EnigmaticBiker]

You could try silica gel, a lot simpler for small amounts of materials. Easily reusable when dried at 110degC (a microwave works OK).

[dr thrust]

hi, sorry for opening a new thread ,but they are a bit "old" , so a bulb in a box ! i can manage that!

[pudi.dk]

In order to dry things fast, both heat, air circulation and air moisture plays a role. Try installing a fan also (ideally from a computer) for better drying.

[BrightStar]

so a bulb in a box ! i can manage that!

I must have the worlds simplest drying box. I bought a cheap outdoor IP55 sealed bulkhead light fitting for about £5 and put a 40w bulb in it, wired inline with an inline lamp dimmer (about £3 if IIRC) to lower the wattage further.

The bulkead light is put in the bottom of a small open top box, with a mesh grill supported a few inches above it and some air holes in the bottom. It seems to work perfectly well for drying a small batch of BP burst etc. overnight. I prefer to air dry my stars for several days so haven't really tried it for that.

I bought one of the high street disposable calcium chloride dessicators to add to the box for quicker drying - so far not needed though.

Edited by BrightStar, 24 August 2007 - 06:00 PM.

[dr thrust]

ahh well its been along time in the making, but ive made one now, its basic at the moment just a large ply box with a bulkhead light in the bottom and mesh shelves in my shed at the bottom of the garden, anyway whats the deal with venting should i vent( run a pipe though the wall outside) because the alcohol fumes from my stars are somthing else! and i dont want a build up of hot fumes? thanks for any input

[Arthur Brown]

Please consider both venting and wiring. Venting flammable (alcohol) fumes should be away from anything that may ignite the fumes especially as the fumes would flash back to your stars then Bye Bye shed RIP.

[dr thrust]

thats what i am trying to find out the wireing is top notch the bulb is in a weather proof bulkhead fitting that could float on water, but i see other's are adding dehumidifers and circulation fans( hmm sparky sparky)

[Arthur Brown]

he bulkhead fitting may be IP68 but are all the switches? Motors with brushes are BAD news but brushless ones are better.

There really isnt a lot of venting needed but the vapours must go away safely.

[dr thrust]

are pc cooling fans brushless?, and no switches in the box, and all switches, sockets light fittings ect weather proof

300 posts get in!!

Edited by chris m, 03 December 2007 - 10:31 PM.

[StephF]

How about vacuum dessication in conjunction with silica gel ?

[pyrotrev]

If you're vacuum drying, I would guess the silica gel is probably superfluous - I don't think it would pull a small amount of moisture out of a low pressure. Some form of heating will still help, though this is more difficult since there's little air to carry it about!

[YT2095]

are pc cooling fans brushless?

yup, most are

[Bonny]

yup, most are

How about the cooling fans that look the same as computer fans but are larger (about 5") and 120V AC?