Disappointed in the OASIS II XL

[Homebrewtoo]

Just got the Oasis II XL for my end table humidor and I'm very disappointed. This thing is very loud. It does do a great job of controlling the humidity however. There claim is that it is as loud as a computer fan. This is completely bogus. I can here this thing running in my humidor in my second floor office from downstairs! Oh well...back to filling up the Oasix XL Plus every 3 days. I've thought of cutting the power to the continuously running circulation fans and seeing how loud the humidity fan is.

I really need something very quiet...maybe I should try the beads. Can anyone compare the noise generated by the Hydra to that of the Oasis XL Plus (this is about as loud as I can tolerate).

Seems like I have several viable options:

1) cut the O-II circulation fans and see if it's quiet...kinda hate doing this. I would rather find another solution and give the unit away to someone who has more noise tolerance or a better sound-proofed humi. Or trade it for a good cigar!
2) keep on filling up the O-XL Plus...I'm good at letting this get dry and my RH drops in the humi. Otherwise, it seems like it does okay.
3) designing a larger water storage tank for the O-XL (this might be the best idea)
4) switching to the beads..not sure how often these might need attended to. The humidor is about 5-6 ft^3. Sounds like a pound or two of beads?
5) buying the Hydra -this doesn't really solve the initial problem of needing something I don't have to refill all the time, but if it's quieter than the oasis, the extra circulation fans would be a plus.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[bobarian]

A pound of 65% beads in two mesh bags should do the trick. Depending on where you live and how often you open the humidor, you probably will end up recharging the beads every 3-4 weeks.

[bazookajoe]

Originally Posted by Homebrewtoo

... Oh well...back to filling up the Oasix XL Plus every 3 days...

Are you seasoning the humidor or does it leak? I don't understand why you have to refill the XL Plus so often. I have two of them and only refill them every few months (maybe every 4-6 weeks in the summer if it's really dry out).

[Homebrewtoo]

I'm probably exaggerating on how often I fill up the XL Plus. The problem is that I might go 3 or 4 weeks without a cigar and I tend not to pay attention to the humidity until it's down to 50 or 55%. Then I fill up the XL Plus. Also, I think the humidor does leak...how much I can't say. There is a foam weatherstripping. The main door latches and seems reasonably tight. The drawer however seems like it doesn't seal very well. I've been meaning to research some new sealing material and haven't gotten to it. I've also thought about using some rare earth magnets on the drawer and door to pull them shut tight.