Calibrating Digital Hygrometers???

[Richter35]

Sorry if this is a really stupid question, but are you supposed to do the salt test for digital hygrometers too? I always thought those came cailbrated but after reading some posts here I wasnt sure?

I did the salt test last night on mine just to see the results. I put some salt in a bottle cap, dampened the salt, and put that and my hygrometer in a ziploc bag. After about 11hrs or so, it reads: 70/55. The 55 should be at 75 by now, no?

I have had mold problems in the past and I never knew why bc the hygro would bet at 68-70 when I would get it. Does this mean when it read 70, it was actually at about 90? (the 20 difference of what it says now after salt test from what it should say) If this is all correct, how do I set it to read 75?

Again, im not even sure if you need to do this test for digital but wanted to make sure from the experts! Thanks again guys, sorry for the long post.

cheers

[chippewastud79]

Yes, you should salt test all your hygrometers. "Pre-calibrated" means nothing, sometimes they are correct others can be off 15% or more. A minimum of 24-48 hours to get accurate results. If you were really 20% off that would explain your mold problems. Note the difference of the hygrometer with a small sticker on the hygrometer to make sure what the difference was and adjust accordingly.

[RicoPuro]

You might want to wait 48-72 hours for an accurate result.

[Richter35]

So, its been about 3 full days now and my hygromter is reading: 71/55.

Is it possible that im doing something wrong or can a hygrometer actually be this off? It's supposed to be at 70/75 at this point so does that just mean that from now on a proper level for my humi will be in between the 50-55 range? If its reading 50-55 on my hygrometer than its really 65-70 in my humi?

I have had so much mold problems in my desktop and I never knew why bc I would get it even when my hygro read 70 or below. I guess when it was reading 70 it was actually 90 in there and hence the mold problem?

cheers

[chippewastud79]

Originally Posted by Richter35

So, its been about 3 full days now and my hygromter is reading: 71/55.

Is it possible that im doing something wrong or can a hygrometer actually be this off? It's supposed to be at 70/75 at this point so does that just mean that from now on a proper level for my humi will be in between the 50-55 range? If its reading 50-55 on my hygrometer than its really 65-70 in my humi?

I have had so much mold problems in my desktop and I never knew why bc I would get it even when my hygro read 70 or below. I guess when it was reading 70 it was actually 90 in there and hence the mold problem?

cheers

The temperature will always be whatever the room temperature is, so don't worry about that. And yes, the fact the the hygrometer is reading so low would indicate that it is severely off. Try changing the batteries and recalibrating. A good rule to follow is: go by how the cigars feel/look/smoke, not your hygrometer, if you think there are problems. Basically, if they look/feel too wet (or you have mold) maybe it is time to try something different.

[mistabman]

Originally Posted by Richter35

I have had so much mold problems in my desktop and I never knew why bc I would get it even when my hygro read 70 or below. I guess when it was reading 70 it was actually 90 in there and hence the mold problem?

sounds about right to me. Common solutions are to find out how far off the hygro is and always do the math (+20 in your case), or get a new adjustable hygro. I have a Hygroset one and I like it a lot. You can find them at CI, heartfelt, and cbid among others.

Good luck with that mold!

[Richter35]

Okay thanks, I will get an adjustable one just to be safe. When I put the hygro back into my humi its steadily going up from the 55 into the 60-65 range. Which really means its at 80-85 in there..grr!

Not sure why its so humid in there? I took out the humidifying device (the long rectangular ones with the green foam) and even undid the top of it and patted dry the foam a bit. It still is rising fairly rapidly tho.

Is there a way I can get the humidity down and stabilized at the 45 range for now? I replaced the battery in that hygrometer a few months ago so I believe the battery is fine and hygro is correct.

Thanks for all the help guys
cheers

[Richter35]

Before I went to bed I completely took out my humidifier from the humidor. When I checked it about 8 hrs or so later, it was steady at about 50 (which is 70 for me).

Not sure how it can be that humid in there to sustain at that level without a humidifier? Is this even possible or is there something thats wrong that I need to look at?

Cheers

[RicoPuro]

I have to say that 20 point soff sounds like a lot. Most cheap hygrometers are off by 5-10 points sometimes but 20? My advice would be to get a better electronic hygrometer and use 65% beads (easier to regulate).

Jorge

[e-man]

I was told that the humidity sensor oxidizes over time. All of my old hygrometers read WAY low.

I got the Xikar, also packaged as Madeline. One button push to calibrate and lifetime warranty. B&M owner said that it can be exchanged at any store that sell them if/when it goes bad.