Potential Problem in Altoids Case?

Vishalca · Mar 26th, 2005, 01:03 PM

I was using my shuffle last night for a couple of hours, while inside its Altoids case. When I opened up the case, I found water vapour on the shuffle and on the lid! It seems that the heat emitted from the shuffle led to condensation inside the case! Naturally, I was worried about the shuffle, because if water gets into it, then that is a problem. I tried it again, and it seemed to work okay, but I will give it a few days. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Is it just a problem with my shuffle?

stevieb · Mar 26th, 2005, 01:25 PM

I don't understand why people need to have it in a case while using it. I just put mine in my pocket - it seems to be fine. Then when I throw it in my bag - I put it in the case.

gordguide · Mar 27th, 2005, 12:52 PM

Throw a bag of silica gel inside the case. They're the little packages you get with cameras, etc, and usually say something like "do not eat" on them. Although you shouldn't eat them, what they do is eat moisture.

If you can't find one, I would just ask nice and friendly-like at a camera store if they have any laying around. You can buy them at hobby stores sometimes, although the price is outrageous, considering, (a kilo in a bulk package is worth about $3) it's only a couple of bucks, if that.

If they turn brown (or at least the stuff inside looks brown) they've eaten their fill. Pop them in an oven at the lowest possible setting for a few hours and they will be good to go again.

Toca Loca Nation · Mar 27th, 2005, 12:54 PM

wow...cool trivia gordguide!

btw, re the altoids case, why not drill some very small holes in it, to allow a little more circulation without overly compromising the womb integrity? or, alternately, move to banff

Vishalca · Mar 27th, 2005, 02:27 PM

Thanks gordguide for that; so, do I open the pack, or just throw it all in?

gordguide · Mar 27th, 2005, 02:29 PM

Throw it in. You don't want those little rocks everywhere, and the pack is designed to be permeable to moisture.

däycüs mäximüs · Mar 28th, 2005, 07:39 AM

cool advice.

i actually do the same thing in my guitar case, where my extra strings are. corrosion is not a friend.

rhythms · Mar 28th, 2005, 10:14 AM

daycus maximus,

you might want to reconsider putting silica gel pack in your guitar case. The wood of the guitar needs a certain humidity so that it doesn't crack or warp as it dries out.

däycüs mäximüs · Mar 28th, 2005, 02:04 PM

i should clarify, my guitars are on stands, and not in the guitar case. only when i'm going somewhere do i put it in the case.

thanks though!