This is a look inside a generic rechargeable silica gel dehumidifier block designed to absorb the moisture from the air in enclosed spaces like electrical enclosures, cupboards and safes. It's basically a box filled with silica gel desiccant beads and a heater plate so that it can be recharged by plugging it in so the heat drives the moisture back out of the gel.
Note that when it's recharging it does liberate a modest quantity of water vapour so it should be done in an area where that is not an issue, like a kitchen.
When I opened this unit I discovered that all the silica gel is loose and it pours EVERYWHERE when you separate the case halves.
Silica gel is a hard granular desiccant that is hygroscopic, meaning that it readily absorbs moisture from the air.

16 thoughts on “Review and internal look at a rechargeable silica gel dehumidifier.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bluetorch13 says:

    8 years later, I tell you , this is freaking usefull, I have one in my waterproof toolbox, keeps my harness, chalk boxes, etc dry, no bad smell, fungus or rust. Also one in my workbench cabinet.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars The Man 🌍f The World says:

    When charged fully should the front be blue in colour?

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Two Crazy Souls says:

    7 years later, how's it holding? What's your opinion about the product now? Any better alternative for car?

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars loqk loqkson says:

    Using its maximum power draw, over the 24 hours it was recommended to dry for on another channel, it costs less than 14c to dry one of these. Much better than I expected

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jay J. says:

    The US version has the plug integrated into the back of the unit and it just flips out to plug it in.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mega Yeo says:

    Are these sillica gel toxic when they are charged up? The fumes that they produce?

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ifell3 says:

    Possibly this video that gave yourself another subscriber all these years ago. But just needed to recheck that it's not full of the indicator silica.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars A S says:

    Couple of questions:

    1. What is the enclosure made up of?

    2. What's temperature does these PTC elements heat to?

    3. How does the enclosure does not burn when elements heat?

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars vaclav pařík says:

    šmejd

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars El Diablo says:

    So, basically, don't take this apart.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Abe Coulter says:

    I have a few of these in my gear road cases and cable cases for wet or damp events….all my other cases like moving heads and the likes of such have big silica packs to absorb any moisture

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars stewart caldwell says:

    It takes water from the air, and then puts it back again ?

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Josh O says:

    Cool, thanks for sharing this!

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Flatman says:

    tested to see how much water it could hold by pouring water on it, then about 15 mins later i plugged it in and it went bang and blew the electrics…

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Flatman says:

    have two of these, one got a bit dirty and i poured water on it and it made a horrendous cracking noise, like it was going to explode, and when charging its best to put a fan underneath it, it gets so hot that you put the fan under it and steam comes off like its a kettle!

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars mrelectron62 says:

    Thanks was interesting to see the innards of this unit I was going to buy one but opted to just get the silica and place in a container and for the cost of the unit I got way more silica than the unit holds.

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