Cigar Weekly

JustPlainBill · 01-14-2002, 03:11 PM

I have had this unit in my new cabinet for a little under a week. It is set for 68% Humidity and the temp in the cabinet runs from 62 to 65F. I added a 3 Digital hygrometers in the top bottom and middle of the cabinet to see how circulation was and to my surprise, they are all reading around 80% (+ - 2%) all of the time. Even when the fan is not running. I know they are not all perfect, but 10% to 12% is a little much. This doesn't seem right.

Could someone please explain?

sd_smoker · 01-14-2002, 03:18 PM

One thing to keep in mind is that the actual humidity at 80%\65 is roughly equivalent to 70%\70...

"I drink a great deal. I sleep little, and smoke cigar after cigar. That's why I am in two-hundred percent form."
- Winston Churchill

Ross · 01-14-2002, 04:04 PM

Let's not get into actual vs relative again (there was a LONG debate at IGC a while ago). I suspect you might need to check calibration of all the characters involved. I have heard the Set and Forget can be off by that much even when supposedly "calibrated". Do a salt test on all the components if possible. Use pure distilled water and purified salt (I prefer salt pellets used in water softeners) and be patient with the tests. I found my Radio Shack hygrometers are very reliable but do wander in readings over the year (perhaps the battery?) Even though the 3 hygrometers are all reading the same doesn't mean they are accurate. To be sure do a salt test and then use those to reset the Set and Forget to your liking.

The World is full of Apathy and I don't care!!!

01-14-2002, 05:35 PM

who did you buy the unit from?

JustPlainBill · 01-14-2002, 06:33 PM

I bought the unit from Bob Staebell.

I have calibrated all 3 digital units within the last month.
One is a Radio Shack that I have adjusted dead on. The other two are Prometheus, and are 2% and 3% off. Adding the 2 and 3% to the Prometheus, they come out to 80% so the digitals are right on.

If I read the Humidifier controls documentation correctly, it measures relative humidity.
The control is set for 68%. If the temperature is 65F in the cabinet and the actual humidity is 80%, then the control would be correct in maintaining 68% relative humidity.
Is this how the control is supposed to work?

Maybe I'll just wait and see how things work out.

Thanks for the info!!

01-14-2002, 07:03 PM

Just give Bob a call or e-mail, and he will fix your problem.

Duffer · 01-14-2002, 07:13 PM

its not the set and forget unit...someone here awhile ago posted the same thing and Bob pointed them in the right direction...i have the set and forget unit also...the first week the samething happen to me...i sent it back and they did a test on the unit..it came back fine...there was nothing wrong with it...i think what its happening is the ciculation is causing this effect...meaning it will come down...the cedar will soak up the moisture...it did for me and all is well..

now its not to far fetched that your Digitals may be off that much...Cal Bob, he will set you straight...

DUFFERYo Yo Yo !!!!

Bob Staebell · 01-15-2002, 05:15 AM

JustPlainBill,
There are two things occuring that are giving the differential in readings. The humidifier is running quite frequently during the "break in" phase and releasing high RH air into the cabinet, which your small hygrometers are picking up. There is a difference in the frequency sampling between the Set & Forget & the small digitals. During the conditioning, you are probably noticing the S&F turning on and off fairly often.

The second portion of the difference is the small digitals tend to run 5% high when compared to a certified instrument. Yeah-I know it's the old discussion on accuracy again. If one talks to the manuf. of the small digitals they will tell you that it is not uncommon to be off by 5 points or more in the 70% range.

You will probably find that over a week or two the difference between your small digitals & the Set & Forget narrows to a difference of around 4-5% which is the norm as the cabinet stabilizes.

As always, we stand behind the accuracy of the system & are more than happy to run a calibration check on your control. We have also found it useful to include one or two of your small digitals & check those at the same time. The differences are sometimes enlightening.

email sent

Cheers,

Bob Staebell

http://www.aristocrathumidors.com

Ross · 01-15-2002, 07:05 AM

If I understand you Bob, I should set my small Oasis to register 70% on my Radio Shack units if I want 65% in the cabinet?

The World is full of Apathy and I don't care!!!

Arlin · 01-15-2002, 07:35 AM

Gents, before we all get TOO anal here, Bob is a supplier of the Humidifier NOT the manufacturer.

I have found differences between the readings provided by the Habitat Montitor and Hygrometers I beleive to be accurate.

Be tolerant and despite all [Bob, Daves and even my] our best efforts for perfection, sometimes reality requires some compromise and flexibility.

I don't mean to offend anyone, but please understand what I'm saying: NO HYGROMETER FUNCTIONALLY USEFUL IN A HUMIDOR IS WITHOUT SOME DEGREE OF ERROR. ACCEPT IT PLEASE.

01-14-2002, 03:11 PM	#1
JustPlainBill Starting Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Salem, New Hampshire USA Posts: 11	I have had this unit in my new cabinet for a little under a week. It is set for 68% Humidity and the temp in the cabinet runs from 62 to 65F. I added a 3 Digital hygrometers in the top bottom and middle of the cabinet to see how circulation was and to my surprise, they are all reading around 80% (+ - 2%) all of the time. Even when the fan is not running. I know they are not all perfect, but 10% to 12% is a little much. This doesn't seem right. Could someone please explain? __________________ JustPlainBill webmaster@2guyssmokeshop.com

01-14-2002, 03:18 PM	#2
sd_smoker Club Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: OKC Posts: 4,336	One thing to keep in mind is that the actual humidity at 80%\65 is roughly equivalent to 70%\70... "I drink a great deal. I sleep little, and smoke cigar after cigar. That's why I am in two-hundred percent form." - Winston Churchill __________________ "Personal charisma is a force that undermines institutions as often as it sustains them. Political institutions need the more reliable buttresses of tradition and duty. Mass emotionalism and celebrity-worship are hostile to any constitutional system."

01-14-2002, 04:04 PM	#3
Ross Club Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Cadillac, MI Posts: 1,087	Let's not get into actual vs relative again (there was a LONG debate at IGC a while ago). I suspect you might need to check calibration of all the characters involved. I have heard the Set and Forget can be off by that much even when supposedly "calibrated". Do a salt test on all the components if possible. Use pure distilled water and purified salt (I prefer salt pellets used in water softeners) and be patient with the tests. I found my Radio Shack hygrometers are very reliable but do wander in readings over the year (perhaps the battery?) Even though the 3 hygrometers are all reading the same doesn't mean they are accurate. To be sure do a salt test and then use those to reset the Set and Forget to your liking. The World is full of Apathy and I don't care!!! __________________ My current rotation: Most Perdomo, Oliva O, G and V, most CAO, Nub 464 maduro, Nub 464 Habano, a box or two of 5-Vegas, a couple boxes of ERdM Robusto Largo, Some AF Hemingway SS and some others I can't remember. It's a well-stocked Delta-T.

01-14-2002, 06:33 PM	#5
JustPlainBill Starting Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Salem, New Hampshire USA Posts: 11	I bought the unit from Bob Staebell. I have calibrated all 3 digital units within the last month. One is a Radio Shack that I have adjusted dead on. The other two are Prometheus, and are 2% and 3% off. Adding the 2 and 3% to the Prometheus, they come out to 80% so the digitals are right on. If I read the Humidifier controls documentation correctly, it measures relative humidity. The control is set for 68%. If the temperature is 65F in the cabinet and the actual humidity is 80%, then the control would be correct in maintaining 68% relative humidity. Is this how the control is supposed to work? Maybe I'll just wait and see how things work out. Thanks for the info!! __________________ JustPlainBill webmaster@2guyssmokeshop.com

01-14-2002, 07:13 PM	#7
Duffer Administrator Charter Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Rochester, NY USA Posts: 14,754	its not the set and forget unit...someone here awhile ago posted the same thing and Bob pointed them in the right direction...i have the set and forget unit also...the first week the samething happen to me...i sent it back and they did a test on the unit..it came back fine...there was nothing wrong with it...i think what its happening is the ciculation is causing this effect...meaning it will come down...the cedar will soak up the moisture...it did for me and all is well.. now its not to far fetched that your Digitals may be off that much...Cal Bob, he will set you straight... *DUFFER*Yo Yo Yo !!!! __________________ If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go. ~ Mark Twain In Memory of Steve Faccenda (TOJE)

01-14-2002, 05:35 PM	#4
roncarlos Guest Posts: n/a	who did you buy the unit from?

01-14-2002, 07:03 PM	#6
roncarlos Guest Posts: n/a	Just give Bob a call or e-mail, and he will fix your problem.

01-15-2002, 05:15 AM	#8
Bob Staebell Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: TX Posts: 122	JustPlainBill, There are two things occuring that are giving the differential in readings. The humidifier is running quite frequently during the "break in" phase and releasing high RH air into the cabinet, which your small hygrometers are picking up. There is a difference in the frequency sampling between the Set & Forget & the small digitals. During the conditioning, you are probably noticing the S&F turning on and off fairly often. The second portion of the difference is the small digitals tend to run 5% high when compared to a certified instrument. Yeah-I know it's the old discussion on accuracy again. If one talks to the manuf. of the small digitals they will tell you that it is not uncommon to be off by 5 points or more in the 70% range. You will probably find that over a week or two the difference between your small digitals & the Set & Forget narrows to a difference of around 4-5% which is the norm as the cabinet stabilizes. As always, we stand behind the accuracy of the system & are more than happy to run a calibration check on your control. We have also found it useful to include one or two of your small digitals & check those at the same time. The differences are sometimes enlightening. email sent Cheers, Bob Staebell http://www.aristocrathumidors.com

01-15-2002, 07:05 AM	#9
Ross Club Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Cadillac, MI Posts: 1,087	If I understand you Bob, I should set my small Oasis to register 70% on my Radio Shack units if I want 65% in the cabinet? The World is full of Apathy and I don't care!!! __________________ My current rotation: Most Perdomo, Oliva O, G and V, most CAO, Nub 464 maduro, Nub 464 Habano, a box or two of 5-Vegas, a couple boxes of ERdM Robusto Largo, Some AF Hemingway SS and some others I can't remember. It's a well-stocked Delta-T.

01-15-2002, 07:35 AM	#10
Arlin Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Powhatan, VA Posts: 101	Gents, before we all get TOO anal here, Bob is a supplier of the Humidifier NOT the manufacturer. I have found differences between the readings provided by the Habitat Montitor and Hygrometers I beleive to be accurate. Be tolerant and despite all [Bob, Daves and even my] our best efforts for perfection, sometimes reality requires some compromise and flexibility. I don't mean to offend anyone, but please understand what I'm saying: NO HYGROMETER FUNCTIONALLY USEFUL IN A HUMIDOR IS WITHOUT SOME DEGREE OF ERROR. ACCEPT IT PLEASE. __________________ Arlin@Arlinliss.com