More calibration testing

[NullSmurf]

I took all 3 of mine to the salt test. I used a tupperware, about 4 by 4 and 2 inches high. In that I used a 1/4 cup measure with 1/8 inch of salt, wetted the salt.

#1 came with my Thompson's starter humi
#2 is a Radio Shack temp/hygro with a remote temp sensor on a wire
#3 came with a nice 150 stick humi that my surprised me with (love that woman)

So, after 4 hours,

#1 85%
#2 62.5%
#3 65%

Opened, tweaked #1 to 65

4 more hours

#1 70%
#2 65
#3 65

tweaked 1 to 65

8 hours later

all three were at 70. None ever got close to 75. Did I do something wrong? Has anyone ever adjusted a digital?

 

[DePasta]

I'd leave them in longer than 8 hours and keep the container sealed the whole time. I usually have to let them sit for 24 hours for the air in the tupperware to stabilize at 75%. One hygro of mine behaved similar to yours after only twelve hours. After 24 hours or more it eventually read dead on at 75%

Also, the salt has to be quite damp throughout (almost to where the water sets on top of it) I will sometimes completely wet the salt and use a paper towel to soak up any extra moisture before I put it in the container.

It is possible that they are just 5% under though.

-D

 

[NullSmurf]

In November, I had the Thompson starter humi. By the end of January, I spotted a cabinet the size of a 100 stick box intended for photos, originally $50, in the bargain bin for $10. Co-opted, sealed and humifigied as #2. My wife and best friend ordered a 150 stick humi on the Internet - was delivered yesterday and is now at 62%. Damned things keep reproducing. I ordered 65% beads and tubes from Viper on a 2 day delivery. As soon as those are in, I'll let them work on faith, then do an extended test. Thanks for the suggestion. Again, I could have saved myself some typing if I'd just read the Humi forum. I did.

The picture box humi is retired to the bedroom for aging storage. The Thompson is now a band box. My #3 son got an ice chest that, at the time, I thought was enormous - its big enough for me to sleep in. He'll never use it, but I've been thinking...

 

[wb1948]

Put them in for 24 hours. Mine read 75% for the first 8 hours originally, and I assumed it was perfect. I redid the test for 24 hours and found it was 6-8% below what it should. Explained a lot of problem.

 

[Mr_Wolf]

My Thompson humi hygro was/is way off too, but both of my Little Havana's are dead on!

I used 2 zip lock bags inside each other for my salt test for 12 hrs.

And you'll love Vipers beads! :love:

Sound like you got a good woman! :thumbs:

 

[mingkou]

I used a single ziplock and got both of may analog readers to exactly 75%. Now that they are both in the same humidor they differ by 8%.

 

[BlindedByScience]

My Thompson humi hygro was/is way off too, but both of my Little Havana's are dead on!

I used 2 zip lock bags inside each other for my salt test for 12 hrs.

And you'll love Vipers beads! :love:

Sound like you got a good woman! :thumbs:

[snapback]289750[/snapback]​

Exactly the same story here...:
- Two zip lock bags, on inside the other
- Shot glass for the salt so I could see how much water I added
- 12 Hours
- Three Little Havanas....on the money (should have taken a picture)....

And, I love my beads from Viper and I have a good woman, too...!!....

Cheers - B.B.S.

 

[seadub]

Patience

I've have found that when I allow the air inside my doubled-up, double-zipper ziplocks to stabilize for 24 hours my readings are much, much more consistent. Patience, Patience, Patience.

and being just a tad remedial... I had to try the salt test a couple times until I figured out the virtues of a 70% RH humidipack. :thumbs: :whistling:

one last thing: Viper's Beads

 

[Sunward]

i am starting to go more by the "feel" of the cgars, (a bit spongy is good) and of the color of the beads ( a good 50/50 mix of white and clear ). this seems just as reliable , if not more, than the hygro.

 

[centurycigar]

Has anyone ever adjusted a digital?

As far as know you cant adjust a digital.
I just put a small label on the back and note the difference.

 

[Jack Straw]

Has anyone ever adjusted a digital?

As far as know you cant adjust a digital.
I just put a small label on the back and note the difference.

[snapback]289916[/snapback]​

Actually, most digital hygrometers do have an internal adjustment. It's generally some type of dial that can be turned, of course, everyone's going to be different, but most often the dial is on the printed circuit board. One word of caution ... small adjustments to it can make for large changes in the reading, so adjust slowly and gradually.

Found that if you get a boveda pack and put it along with your hygrometer in a sealed container, it should stabilize rather quickly, but I would still give it 24 hours to be safe.

Like everything else having to do with this hobby, patience is rewarded.

 

[centurycigar]

Has anyone ever adjusted a digital?

As far as know you cant adjust a digital.
I just put a small label on the back and note the difference.

[snapback]289916[/snapback]​

Actually, most digital hygrometers do have an internal adjustment. It's generally some type of dial that can be turned, of course, everyone's going to be different, but most often the dial is on the printed circuit board. One word of caution ... small adjustments to it can make for large changes in the reading, so adjust slowly and gradually.

Found that if you get a boveda pack and put it along with your hygrometer in a sealed container, it should stabilize rather quickly, but I would still give it 24 hours to be safe.

Like everything else having to do with this hobby, patience is rewarded.

[snapback]289931[/snapback]​

Cool ! I learn something everyday.

 

[Mr_Wolf]

My Thompson humi hygro was/is way off too, but both of my Little Havana's are dead on!

I used 2 zip lock bags inside each other for my salt test for 12 hrs.

And you'll love Vipers beads! :love:

Sound like you got a good woman! :thumbs:

[snapback]289750[/snapback]​

Exactly the same story here...:
- Two zip lock bags, on inside the other
- Shot glass for the salt so I could see how much water I added
- 12 Hours
- Three Little Havanas....on the money (should have taken a picture)....

And, I love my beads from Viper and I have a good woman, too...!!....

Cheers - B.B.S.

[snapback]289827[/snapback]​

Yup, BBS is the one who recommended the zip-lock/shot glass test! Worked great!

 

[viper139]

One more thing to make it worse. As the batteries in your hygrometer wear down the accuracy can change. That is why it is very important to change the batteries often.

 

[Devil Doc]

Define often!

Doc.