Bead question...

[Spad31]

Masters,
I have what I'm sure is a simple question, but I haven't found the answer.

I started my humi and subsequent coolerdore with 65% beads. The humi seasoned fine and was holding steady at 65%, as advertised. It has since risen to about 71%. The coolerdore is also acting funny; it just won't get below about 73%. The packaging for the beads says in order to remove humidity, don't add water to them, just add them to the space to be controled. All good. I have way too many beads for the amount of space in the cooler (I went flippin' crazy buying them). The ambient temp in my room has also risen (getting colder here, so heat is on. I don't have control over it), so I'm sure there is the correlation. Unfortunately, nothing I can do about the temp. It hovers right at 74 degrees (up from high 60's), no matter where I store the cooler and humi. I've let that become my quiet stress that I just don't think about. The beads, though, unless I'm missing something simple in how they work (likely)...shouldn't they be absorbing moisture from the air inside and let the hygrometer read closer to 65%, even with the increased temp? The beads don't appear to have any clear areas, so over-saturation is not the issue. Did I miss a step? Do the beads need "priming" with a little water in order to begin working correctly? I'm bordering on mild confusion here.

In all seriousness, if this is just one of those general, gradual fluctuations that occur, then I won't sweat it. I'm low on the priority list, so if anyone has thoughts or advice, or similar experiences, I'd appreciate hearing them when you have time.

Thanks all!

Trey

 

[NullSmurf]

describe the bead appearance? Are they white, like when you received them, or getting a little translucent? You may have to buddy up with the cook to get a little time in the oven to remove moisture from the beads. Bake em for an your between 150 and 200 to dry them out.

You're in the sandbox, right? Isn't ambient RH a bit low?

 

[jayro75]

Masters,
I have what I'm sure is a simple question, but I haven't found the answer.

I started my humi and subsequent coolerdore with 65% beads. The humi seasoned fine and was holding steady at 65%, as advertised. It has since risen to about 71%. The coolerdore is also acting funny; it just won't get below about 73%. The packaging for the beads says in order to remove humidity, don't add water to them, just add them to the space to be controled. All good. I have way too many beads for the amount of space in the cooler (I went flippin' crazy buying them). The ambient temp in my room has also risen (getting colder here, so heat is on. I don't have control over it), so I'm sure there is the correlation. Unfortunately, nothing I can do about the temp. It hovers right at 74 degrees (up from high 60's), no matter where I store the cooler and humi. I've let that become my quiet stress that I just don't think about. The beads, though, unless I'm missing something simple in how they work (likely)...shouldn't they be absorbing moisture from the air inside and let the hygrometer read closer to 65%, even with the increased temp? The beads don't appear to have any clear areas, so over-saturation is not the issue. Did I miss a step? Do the beads need "priming" with a little water in order to begin working correctly? I'm bordering on mild confusion here.

In all seriousness, if this is just one of those general, gradual fluctuations that occur, then I won't sweat it. I'm low on the priority list, so if anyone has thoughts or advice, or similar experiences, I'd appreciate hearing them when you have time.

Thanks all!

Trey

What kind of HVAC system does your house have? If you have forced air heat with a humidifier it is possible that humidity is leaking into the humi's. Are your beads in some sort of bead bag or pantyhose etc.? If so take them out and hit them with a hairdryer for a bit. They may not look it but it's possible they are over saturated. That's what happened to me when i seasoned my cabinet.

Hope this is of some help.

 

[Sockmonkey]

I had temp issues and found that the coolerdor temp stayed lower if I sat it in the bathtub. most houses don't really run heating ducts in the bathroom so it has lower temp. cant help with the beads as I am still looking to get my first beads and am using foam at the momment.

 

[Spad31]

Gang,
Thanks for the replies. NullSmurf may have hit on it right away. Yes, the ambient RH is lower than what I want..so, take the damn beads out until I need it raised a little! *facepalm*

As far as bead color, packaging, etc...I have them in the blue capped HI tubes, and they're not translucent at all (from what I can see).

I think the humidity problem will go away. See, this is why I dig this place...simple answers to non-complex problems! :blush:

Temp on the other hand..well...forced air...I have a thermostat, but..CE runs the show, so I think it's just there to make me feel special. I'm convinced the thing doesn't adjust anything other than fan speed.

On the quesiton of leaking humidity IN...possible in the humi, I guess. "The coolerdore" is actually a clear, watertight 1ft x 1ft box with a rubber-gasketed lid that clamps down in place. 12 bucks at the little store here. Made to keep cameras, electronics, etc. dry in wet weather. I'll pull the beads from it as well.

Thanks for the thoughts, and I welcome any cooling advice! (Tub not an option..I share it). Window doesn't open, so no air in the room. I have a ceiling fan that I experiement with on/off, but doesn't seem to matter (not surprising, the cooling effect would only be on my skin, not the ambient room temp). Unless anyone has the urge to save me the trouble of searching, I'll do some looking around on how long it takes beetles to appear. THAT's a horror I've only read about; not interested in experiencing it!


Trey

edited to correct my spelling.

 

[jnknzz]

When was the last time you calibrated your hygro and/or changed the battery? Like clockwork, at seasons change, all my batteries seem to go bad. So I just re-do the whole setup. I like tinkering with my cigar stuff...

Derek

 

[Spad31]

When was the last time you calibrated your hygro and/or changed the battery? Like clockwork, at seasons change, all my batteries seem to go bad. So I just re-do the whole setup. I like tinkering with my cigar stuff...

Derek

Hey Derek.

Thanks for the reply. All hygros are brand new. All calibrated individually. Whole setup is only six weeks or so old. Had no problems until the weather started changing in earnest here. I have an idea the interior climate change is responsible. I can't do much about temp...interior temp is going to hover around 73. I'll just have to live with it. I pulled the beads and so far all seems fine. I'll add them back as needed and see if I can maintain mid-60s.

I think I may have pulled the trigger too quickly in posting the question...I was having one of those nervous n00b moments!


Trey

 

[NullSmurf]

Gang,
Thanks for the replies. NullSmurf may have hit on it right away. Yes, the ambient RH is lower than what I want..so, take the damn beads out until I need it raised a little! *facepalm*

Uh, no. My theory would only play if room RH was higher than your desired.

For you, you'd have to have added some source of moisture, such as new cigars, for the RH in the humi to exceed 65% -- or for your hygrometer to be lying to you. In the sandbox, you should NEVER have to cook your beads.

 

[Spad31]

Gang,
Thanks for the replies. NullSmurf may have hit on it right away. Yes, the ambient RH is lower than what I want..so, take the damn beads out until I need it raised a little! *facepalm*

Uh, no. My theory would only play if room RH was higher than your desired.

For you, you'd have to have added some source of moisture, such as new cigars, for the RH in the humi to exceed 65% -- or for your hygrometer to be lying to you. In the sandbox, you should NEVER have to cook your beads.

Bruce,
Sorry for the confusion. I understood what you meant, but wasn't clear in my response. I HAVE been adding cigars, thus the increase in RH inside the humi. (I hadn't thought of that) Outside ambient is lower than I'd want (by a significant percentage), so when it got higher than normal for a few days inside the humi, I knee jerked and blamed the beads and posted my question. Growing pains! Everything is cool, and I'll let the beads do their slow, patient thing. Nothing is so skewed as to warrant panic on my part anyway. Thanks for taking the time to check on a newbie and reply to my posts! Have a great day!

Trey

edited twice because I can, and because my first edit didn't make the sense I wanted it to. (thanks for the advice Bruce)

I'll quit editing!