Where to store my gear??

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

Ok, so I’ve taken the giant stride into debt to purchase my own gear and then it occurs to me, where am I going to store all my expensive new toys?

:headscratch:

I assume that hanging is the preferred storage method for a wetsuit & BCD, so I’m thinking of putting up shelf and hanging rod in the mechanical room of my house (with the furnace and water heater)… Do I need to be concerned with temperature variations or extremes with these items, or any of my gear for that matter??

 

[kadleck]

I guess it depends on how extreme the variations are. The instructions say "store in a cool, dry place away from vehicle exhaust emissions" (ie. not in a garage). So if your furnace room gets very hot, it does not sound like the ideal place.

You'll need heavy-duty hangers, and dive shops do sell purpose made ones (which may be overkill!).

 

[neonistic]

Any source of ignition (gas heater/water heater, etc) will produce ozone. This can destroy your gear.

 

[k ellis]

I personaly store all my gear in one of my spare bedrooms for the mere fact it is temperature friendly to the gear. The heavy duty hangers are as mentioned a must as some gear can be a bit heavy. Items such as the tanks would be good in a garage so long as it does not get overly warm in the garage and not near a window since the sunlight can become extremely hot on the tank.

I store my BCD slightly inflated as to allow any residual moisture to dry out over time and not mildew. The regulator I take and hang on a hanger when out of season and in a storage bag specially made for the regulator. The computer I store on a shelf so it does not get crushed or stored in a manner that would cause damage to it.

I store my fins flat on a shelf in the closet so it does not deform and for the boots I let them completely and then use news paper to put in them and keep their shape. I hang the gloves and hood also on a hanger. When out of season I hang my flashlight with my gear as well but in season I store them in my gear bag.

Hope this helps.

 

[socaldiver77]

I also keep my BCD inflated to dry i out easily any residual moisture. I normally keep my stuff in the garage, but carefully organized as follows:

-Heavy duty hanger for all wetsuits, BCDs and extra hangers used to dry boots, etc...
-Tanks stored upright position
-Fins, lay flat on the shelf

Since I live in Southern California (where it is relatively dry) I let my equipment dry for about 3 to four days before storing. especially items such as regulators, computers, gloves, boots, knives, flashlights, and any other item that can be stored. I recommend avoiding extreme temperatures swings and excessive mositure.

CB

 

[Garrobo]

I store my regs in a cardboard box in a closet, hang the BCD on a hanger in the same closet. My dried wetsuits are folded up and put in a dresser drawer. All the other stuff is dried and boxed up and put in the same closet. My tanks are stored in the same closet. No problems with this routine for two and a half years.

 

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

Any idea how far away from a gas Furnace or Water Heater is considered safe for storing neoprene? (i.e. is 20 feet away on the ohter side of my basement ok?)

 

[diver 85]

Ok, so I’ve taken the giant stride into debt to purchase my own gear and then it occurs to me, where am I going to store all my expensive new toys?

:headscratch:

I assume that hanging is the preferred storage method for a wetsuit & BCD, so I’m thinking of putting up shelf and hanging rod in the mechanical room of my house (with the furnace and water heater)… Do I need to be concerned with temperature variations or extremes with these items, or any of my gear for that matter??

Keep it in a climate controlled place in your house---get rid of some of the wife's clothes if need be and put it in a closet somewhere.....

 

[Cacia]

I put a pricey Harvey 7 mil in my attic in San Clemente, Ca and the heat (not that hot either)
caused it to lock up. ...or maybe I got fat.

I would keep rubber temperature controlled

 

[k ellis]

quiet honestly I would say if you have to keep it near a source of heat without another option then the only other option would be to be as far away from the heat as possible