Gun cabinet heater

[Rutland lad]

Members - I’ve an opportunity to add another cabinet to my house, but it will be in a cold unheated boot type room. It never gets freezing in there but it gets close.
I remember a thread on here where someone mentioned vivarium mats, so I’ve looked at these but a 7w one will give a temp of nearly 30 degrees in a tank so I’m thinking that’s way too much. Then I’ve looked at greenhouse tube heaters but I cannot find a table showing wattage against expected temperatures.
Has anyone fitted either the mat or the tube heater and can give me the benefit of their experience please. I only need to keep the cabinet damp free - it doesn’t need to fool the guns into thinking they’re in ‘Nam.
Many thanks.

 

[finnbear270]

I run a Pygmy bulb in mine, down on the bottom away from stock heels.

 

[Will the chippy]

I was going to say run a light bulb in it. And you'll be able to see in it.

 

[Tazz]

I was going to say run a light bulb in it. And you'll be able to see in it.

And don’t use an eco friendly LED !!!

 

[Tazz]

As per above my mate has similar problem suns a 15w bulb that is covered in insulating tape so heats up but doesn’t light up. Stick light coloured carpet tiles to the inside, does 3 jobs brightens up cabinet, more forgiving if you bump your rifle and acts as insulation

 

[User00056]

They're rifles, not pets

 

[Tazz]

They're rifles, not pets

And like pets some share the bedroom and some live in kennels

 

[User00056]

The worst thing you can do to a rifle is bring it from a cold environment into a warm one. As long as the cabinet and environment is dry the rifles will be just fine. Absolutely no need whatsoever to heat the cabinet

 

[75]

I had a couple of those vivariam pad things in mine when they were in an uninsulated, unheated loft. I put them on a timer so they came on overnight. Can't recall the wattage and they never get too warm (certainly wouldn't hold 30C in a gun cabinet but I've still got them if you want them - PM your address and you're welcome to them.

 

[75]

The worst thing you can do to a rifle is bring it from a cold environment into a warm one. As long as the cabinet and environment is dry the rifles will be just fine. Absolutely no need whatsoever to heat the cabinet

Which is fine if they are somewhere where there are no significant changes in temp from cold to warm. But if ambient temp jumps for -2C to 14C overnight (which it did here a couple of weeks back) and your cabinet is subject to that jump everything will be running in condensation.

 

[User00056]

Which is fine if they are somewhere where there are no significant changes in temp from cold to warm. But if ambient temp jumps for -2C to 14C overnight (which it did here a couple of weeks back) and your cabinet is subject to that jump everything will be running in condensation.

Not if your cabinet is kept dry. Silica gel packs, for example

 

[finnbear270]

The worst thing you can do to a rifle is bring it from a cold environment into a warm one. As long as the cabinet and environment is dry the rifles will be just fine. Absolutely no need whatsoever to heat the cabinet

No home is completely dry, air has a humidity level, cold steel brought in should be allowed to acclimatise to the temperature of the home, & dried off BEFORE storing in a cabinet, likewise with slipping a wet rifle.
A cabinet to be successful in storing without rust or mould, should be a tiny amount warmer / drier above ambient.

 

[BenBhoy]

I had a couple of those vivariam pad things in mine when they were in an uninsulated, unheated loft. I put them on a timer so they came on overnight. Can't recall the wattage and they never get too warm (certainly wouldn't hold 30C in a gun cabinet but I've still got them if you want them - PM your address and you're welcome to them.

I've got one of them but it's a weird plug fitting, two little blades? Was yours same mate?

 

[Len the dog]

You can use any wattage you like, just fit a thermostat.

 

[Phil fox man]

try this, simple room stat wired to a bulb.

 

[Lee260]

My cabinet is in the loft. I have never seen condensation in it. My firearms are rust free. I only keep the barrels oiled.

 

[Rutland lad]

Thanks for the tips - something to ponder on.

 

[75]

I've got one of them but it's a weird plug fitting, two little blades? Was yours same mate?

I don't recall to be honest. They've got 3 pin plugs on there now but suspect I chopped whatever was on and replaced it.