silica gel

[robscaboose]

Where does one get silica gel??????

[dk99358]

Gun shops should have big packages like you would use in a gun cabinet. Cabelas (cabelas.com) or Midway (Midwayusa.com) are a couple of online places to look.

I just looked, Midway has a whole bunch of stuff under the 'dehumidifier' section.

Dale

[underworld]

Look in your grocery or discount store for the crystal cat litter. It is just bigger cunks of silica gel. If they have a store brand it will be pretty inexpensive. I think the major brands are about $9 to $12, I got the store brand at my local Meijer store for about $5.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[FJ and G]

Kinda embarrased to admit this, but during my first tour of duty in Japan, I tried to live and eat like the natives. I got a bento box full of sushi and seaweed and stuff and started to chow down. Ate everything including the silica gel. Course I couldn't read the label as to what it was.

Tasted kinda funny but tried to get used to the flavor. Heck, I had an iron stomach back then! :-)

[ben10ben]

Most laboratory supply places will also stock it. It usually comes in an open package that changes color(often from red to blue) as it is used up and needs to be replaced.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ben10ben

Most laboratory supply places will also stock it. It usually comes in an open package that changes color(often from red to blue) as it is used up and needs to be replaced.

Real silica gel cam be baked in an oven to "recharge" it, DO NOT throw it away.

[Jumijo]

Talk about timing?! I was going to post the same question about where to buy silica gel this morning, and here it is, already done for me with some great answers to boot.

Last night I relocated our carpet layout to the basement after 5 months in the den. The new basement layout is going to be on a 5' x 10" table. My main concern is humidity but figured storing the locos/tenders in Tupperware type containers with silica gel would keep them dry. Most model railroaders of all scales operate out of a basement, so what if any other precautions should one be aware of with electric trains in a basement?

Thank you all for some very informative posts on silica gel! Cat litter? Really?!!

Once again, I learned something new here.

Jim

[Anonymous]

Craft Stores like Michael's also carry the stuff.

[robscaboose]

Thank you very much

[Jumijo]

I bought a huge jug of silica gel cat litter at WalMart last night for $7.00. All my locos are now in a huge tupperware container along with a bowl of silica. Thanks for some great info!

Jim

[eZAK]

QUOTE: so what if any other precautions should one be aware of with electric trains in a basement?

Use a fan to circulate the air and use a dehumidifier!

[Anonymous]

i beleave you can re-activate the silica gel by bakeing it in the oven at very low heat like 150F it will drive the moisture out of the gel >>>>>glennbob