Salt Test Fail?

[eliu2010]

I tried doing the salt test with 2 different hygrometers, the analog one that came with my new humidor and a digital one I bought from Wal-mart. Both read 60% after 8 hrs in separate ziplock bags with damp (not wet) salt. Could both cheap hygrometers be off? Or is there something I'm doing wrong with my salt test? ...shouldn't they read 75%?

For the analog hygrometer's salt test, I put a teaspoon of salt in a bottle cap and dampened it with tap water (not distilled). I only put a few drops, enough to wet all of the salt, but not make it a soupy mix. After 8 hrs, the analog read 60%. Thinking my calibration was off by 15%, I decided to buy a cheap ($8) digital from Wal-mart.

Though some say digitals dont need calibrating, I noticed the digi was reading similarly to the analog, which, according to the salt test, is off by 15% . I tried a salt test for the digital, and after 8 hrs, it too read 60%. Are both of them off?

Thanks.

[PLUSH]

I think you need more water. You need to put them in a closed container over night. I just did this the other night for 3 I had. 2 were spot on and one was off by 5. It also doesn't have to be distilled water.

kinda like this

http://www.cigarpass.com/salt-test-c...te-hygrometer/

[Smoker06]

I think you need more water, too. The salt mixture shoud be a "slurry".

[themoneycollector]

A couple of other things to keep in mind.

The analog one is likely to be off, don't rely it on at all.

The walmart digi, is it adjustable? If not, once you get the mixture right, keep track of the +/- difference of the salt test from 75%. For instance, if it says 70, then you know it's about -5% off. After calibration, when you put it in your humi, whatever the reading says, add +5% and get the true reading.

[casual]

Also, double bag to ensure sealing or try a mason jar. I used a large mouth mason jar when testing mine with consistent results.

Most of my hygros were consistently high up to 8%. Walmart, Radioshack, etc. except my Caliber II. It was by far the closest.

[grtrx]

one of the big problems with using saline slurry is that the humidity is inconsistant unless you can measure the salinity of the slurry

[Smok'em1313]

Originally Posted by Apothecary Puff

one of the big problems with using saline slurry is that the humidity is inconsistant unless you can measure the salinity of the slurry

Huh? Salt slurries always result in a consistent humidity to my knowledge. Not sure why you would need to measure the salt concentration nor how the average person would do so.