Airtight cases

[diegobuono]

Hi all,

I'm thinking to buy an airtight case to store my phot equipment and want

something to keep muld away.

I frequntly read about "pelican" but in their website i read that their cases

have a Pressure Equalization Valve that allow the free passage of gas and

vapour

http://pelican.com/support/faq.php

 

So I ask how this cases could be considered airtight, am I missing something?

 

thank you for your help.

[joshroot]

The valve can be opened and closed manually. It isn't open all of the time.

 

Unless I'm thinking of something else.

[ellis_vener_photography]

If this is for long term storage; make sure you take the batteries out of everything. Also try to find watertight NATO military grade all aluminum aluminum Zarges Y-cases: http://www.zarges.de/produkte/int/Logistics/Boxes/20627/Y-Case%20and%20SanPack.html

[rnt]

Most mil-spec cases have them. The relief valve is usually a little pushbutton that allows air pressure to equalize. This is a good thing if you have higher air pressure outside the sealed box than in. Think high altitude to low, or sea level to submarine. Given the area of the top it only takes a small differential to make the case hard to open.

[Ed_Ingold]

Air-tight cases don't guarantee mold will not grow inside. Unless you live on another planet, mold spores will be in and on everything. The actually prefer the dark. You can use a dessicant to remove moisture (the other thing molds need), but take care that dust from the dessicant doesn't do more harm than good, and that you keep it freshly regenerated.

 

If the equalization valve weren't there, you'd need tools to break the seal and open the case after a couple of atmospheric pressure cycles.