Cigar Weekly

perrymedik · 09-30-2007, 08:24 PM

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if there is a way to recalibrate my analog hygrometer? I have a digital in my desktop that says 60 and the analog says 80. I am just re-stabalizing my humidors after a few years of neglect and I'm not sure if either the analog or the digital are correct.

I did a search and didn't find anything (could have searched wrong)

If you have some help or guidance please lay it on me!

Thanks!

Cory

Cloud9Bob · 10-01-2007, 08:09 AM

If your analog has an adjustment screw for the needle then you can do a salt test and re-calibrate it somewhat.

casual · 10-01-2007, 08:45 AM

If you trust your digital, just set the analog to the same setting as it.

Analogs are notoriously inaccurate.

perrymedik · 10-01-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud9Bob

If your analog has an adjustment screw for the needle then you can do a salt test and re-calibrate it somewhat.

Can you tell me more about this "Salt Test"?

Cloud9Bob · 10-01-2007, 10:19 AM

Here's a quick copy/paste job that will give you the scoop on the salt test. Basically, a salt paste in a confined area (I use double baggies not jars, BTW) will regulate humidity to 75%. That will give you an idea of how far off your hygrometer is. I suggest leaving it longer than 8 hours though. Here you go:

So here’s what you’ll need to perform this simple experiment:
(1) Distilled water (purchased from any grocery store)
(2) Coffee stirrer (or other thin, clean object with which to stir)
(3) Bottle cap (Snapple bottle caps work perfectly)
(4) Empty wide-mouth jar with lid (like an old mayonnaise jar)
(5) Tablespoon of plain table salt (I suggest Mortons – it’s made in Chicago)
(6) Your hygrometer (duh)

Place the tablespoon of salt within the bottle cap and slowly add distilled water to the salt while stirring with the coffee stirrer. Only add just enough water to moisten the salt so that it becomes a thick paste. Do not add enough water to dissolve the salt!

Place the bottle cap with salt gently into your wide-mouth jar and add your hygrometer. Make certain the sensor is exposed and is not blocked by the sides of the jar. Seal the jar so there are no leaks and put it in a place out of direct sunlight and with a stable, cool temperature (like your closet).

Leave the setup undisturbed for a minimum of eight hours. After that, check the reading on the hygrometer through the glass jar – it should read on or near 75 percent relative humidity.

Due to the salt paste reacting with the confined air, the ambient relative humidity within the jar will be exactly 75 percent. Most inexpensive hygrometers are only accurate to within 3 percent, so do not be surprised if yours reads 72 or 78 percent. Whatever it reads plus or minus our 75 percent benchmark is the amount of error of your hygrometer.

If your hygrometer has an adjustment potentiometer then, by all means, try to tweak it to exactly 75 percent relative humidity. You should repeat the salt calibration test after making any adjustments. If your hygrometer can’t be adjusted but the reading is close, then my advice is to not worry about it; just remember that your hygrometer is X percent off – either high or low. If the reading is grossly in error and you are unable to adjust it, you need to replace it.

perrymedik · 10-01-2007, 12:55 PM

Awsome! Thanks for the help! I will give this a shot tonight!

09-30-2007, 08:24 PM	#1
perrymedik Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Patuxent River, MD Posts: 581	Analog Hygrometer Recalibration I was wondering if anyone can tell me if there is a way to recalibrate my analog hygrometer? I have a digital in my desktop that says 60 and the analog says 80. I am just re-stabalizing my humidors after a few years of neglect and I'm not sure if either the analog or the digital are correct. I did a search and didn't find anything (could have searched wrong) If you have some help or guidance please lay it on me! Thanks! Cory __________________ Given the choice between a woman and a cigar, I will always choose the cigar." Groucho Marx

10-01-2007, 08:09 AM	#2
Cloud9Bob Contributing Editor Herf Meister Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New York Posts: 5,365	If your analog has an adjustment screw for the needle then you can do a salt test and re-calibrate it somewhat. __________________ "It takes a long time to understand nothing"

10-01-2007, 08:45 AM	#3
casual Club Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Stuck in a cube, man!! Posts: 4,138	If you trust your digital, just set the analog to the same setting as it. Analogs are notoriously inaccurate. __________________ Scot

10-01-2007, 10:19 AM	#5
Cloud9Bob Contributing Editor Herf Meister Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New York Posts: 5,365	Here's a quick copy/paste job that will give you the scoop on the salt test. Basically, a salt paste in a confined area (I use double baggies not jars, BTW) will regulate humidity to 75%. That will give you an idea of how far off your hygrometer is. I suggest leaving it longer than 8 hours though. Here you go: So here’s what you’ll need to perform this simple experiment: (1) Distilled water (purchased from any grocery store) (2) Coffee stirrer (or other thin, clean object with which to stir) (3) Bottle cap (Snapple bottle caps work perfectly) (4) Empty wide-mouth jar with lid (like an old mayonnaise jar) (5) Tablespoon of plain table salt (I suggest Mortons – it’s made in Chicago) (6) Your hygrometer (duh) Place the tablespoon of salt within the bottle cap and slowly add distilled water to the salt while stirring with the coffee stirrer. Only add just enough water to moisten the salt so that it becomes a thick paste. Do not add enough water to dissolve the salt! Place the bottle cap with salt gently into your wide-mouth jar and add your hygrometer. Make certain the sensor is exposed and is not blocked by the sides of the jar. Seal the jar so there are no leaks and put it in a place out of direct sunlight and with a stable, cool temperature (like your closet). Leave the setup undisturbed for a minimum of eight hours. After that, check the reading on the hygrometer through the glass jar – it should read on or near 75 percent relative humidity. Due to the salt paste reacting with the confined air, the ambient relative humidity within the jar will be exactly 75 percent. Most inexpensive hygrometers are only accurate to within 3 percent, so do not be surprised if yours reads 72 or 78 percent. Whatever it reads plus or minus our 75 percent benchmark is the amount of error of your hygrometer. If your hygrometer has an adjustment potentiometer then, by all means, try to tweak it to exactly 75 percent relative humidity. You should repeat the salt calibration test after making any adjustments. If your hygrometer can’t be adjusted but the reading is close, then my advice is to not worry about it; just remember that your hygrometer is X percent off – either high or low. If the reading is grossly in error and you are unable to adjust it, you need to replace it. __________________ "It takes a long time to understand nothing"

10-01-2007, 12:55 PM	#6
perrymedik Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Patuxent River, MD Posts: 581	Awsome! Thanks for the help! I will give this a shot tonight! __________________ Given the choice between a woman and a cigar, I will always choose the cigar." Groucho Marx