Does it even matter trying to control humidity in my gunsafe while living in Phoenix?

The relative hunidity is generally low here doesn't really get up to 25%. It deos get humid on occasion though and it deos actually rain here.





I was just going to stick a lightbulb in my safe bu I have also heard if the humidity is too low my guns with wood stocks can crack.Does it even matter trying to control humidity in my gunsafe while living in Phoenix?
Do you have air conditioning or an evaporative cooler? An evaporative cooler can raise indoor humidity, whereas an a/c is basically a dehumidifier. You might go buy a humidity gauge, check out the indoor humidity, consider that this may be greater in an enclosed space, ...then box the gauge back up and take it back for a refund. It'd give you a better idea of the actual indoor humidity situation, and help you decide if you should purchace a dessicant pack or similiar humidity control device for your safe..Does it even matter trying to control humidity in my gunsafe while living in Phoenix?
Please do not put a light bulb in your safe - this is dangerous on so many levels.





Yes, you do need a safe heater - the low wattage 'GoldenRod'; is highly recommended - unless your safe is in a low humidity laboratory controlled enviroment or in a non-living part of a building - you need it. People breathing, cooking, washing hands, taking showers, doing laundry, washing dishese , etc inside a house all generate humidity. The coolness of the rifle's metal will attract these free floating water molocules and cause rust. It will be a slow process, but, it will happen none the less. Worese, if you ever put your guns away and clean them a few days later....... those chemicals from a dirty firearm will attract moisture like a dessicant.





Most safe's have a small hole for the power cord. Once you have the safe heater installed - DO NOT FORGET - to plug the rest of the hole with 'FireStop' red putty or material. The stuff is inexpensive and available at any electrical supply store. This way if the home does catch on fire - you will not have fire coming in that hole, or, water or smoke damage.





Kevin
Do you have evaporative cooling?





If you have refrigerated air, just oil them and you are good for humidity. I live east of you and do have a swamp cooler, so the house is like 90% humidity, so I use chemical dehumidifier in the safes.
I live there as well. Just make sure thet are cleaned and oiled and there won't be any problem.