Hygrometer question

[veteranvmb]

Since this is my first season, where my humidors will be going through winter, I have a question on one of them.

As the temps have gone down to upper 30,s in new york where I live, the last few nights, I am having a bit of trouble with one of my 125 count humis. I think I know the problem and need some help.

This is the only humi to give me problems.
It has a half window top , and two bezeled glass on the lower front and a large humi in front almost 3 inchs in diameter. It is a very attractive looking hygro. It is neither accurate nor adjustable.

I keep 2 caliber 3s in it. One on the top shelf and one on top of cigars in bottom.

The bottom usually stayed at 63 to 64 rh, and the top about 4 points higher. I had attributed this difference to the theory of moisture and temp, and the level of the upper and lower halfs as advised by members on this board.

The last three weeks I have noticed the bottom half dropping rh slowly to where it now down to 58 rh.

I added d.w. to the credo with no result. I dropped a drymistat to the bottom , no change.
I added another small credo to the bottom, no change.

I swapped hygros and the hygro on top which was saying 66 was put on bottom and the bottom one on 58 was put on top.
Rh readings swapped also on the hydros.

So I thought about it, and could the colder weather and less humidity in the air, cause the rh to drop, because this rather large hygro(which is in the front and goes through the wood, on the bottom half of humidor, have a bad seal or something. Would that account for it. ?

I just want to raise the bottom half to at least 63 or 64.

If so, what could I use to seal it better. I just dont want to on my own, put silicone seal or something on it, without advice from the group.

Please(and thanks ahead of time)suggest I switch to beads. If I do have a bad seal or something, beads wouldnt fix this.

So any other ideas, why the bottom half cant raise humity even with all the extra humidifiers in it, besides a bad seal on the hygro?

Much regards Jerry

[Demasoni]

Not sure if this is the wisest idea, but maybe place a shot glass with just a bit of distilled water in there?

[gjcab09]

I think I've seen some weatherseal putty in a hardware store or someplace. Or maybe even some modeling clay to perform a test, perhaps apply around the outside edges of the glass and hygro and see if that makes a difference in your rh? Just thinking outloud...if a test determines there is a seal problem, then can start looking for a permanent solution.

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by gjcab09

I think I've seen some weatherseal putty in a hardware store or someplace. Or maybe even some modeling clay to perform a test, perhaps apply around the outside edges of the glass and hygro and see if that makes a difference in your rh? Just thinking outloud...if a test determines there is a seal problem, then can start looking for a permanent solution.

Hey Rod, great suggestion on the modeling clay.
The wife always has 50 lbs around the house somewhere.
Now why didnt I think of it.

Would you put it both on the inside and the outside, or which one would you think most likely if that is the case?
Jerry

[gjcab09]

Jerry, if it were me, I'd only put it on the outside to minimize the chance it would mess with my cigars somehow.

[GunHand]

Jerry, Sorry to hear of your problem...I was thinking, how is the analog hydo attached to the box? If it is threaded, then I would use teflon pipe tape on the threads. (Like plumbers use) It is cheap, around a buck for a small roll, and would be odorless, not sure if the clay would be though...good luck bro, Shannon Also, humidity rises, so that could account for the level differences in your box. I got a 48 qt cooler a while back, used beads, purchased several cedar boxes from a B&M, and found a Oust fan online for air circulation (very important). I guess what I am trying to say is that I think lack of air flow (humidity rising and 'pooling' in the top) may actually be the problem. Once again, best of luck, and PS: I really enjoy most of your posts, the are usually thought provoking!

[veteranvmb]

[QUOTE=GunHand;2715413]Jerry, Sorry to hear of your problem...I was thinking, how is the analog hydo attached to the box? If it is threaded, then I would use teflon pipe tape on the threads. (Like plumbers use) It is cheap, around a buck for a small roll, and would be odorless, not sure if the clay would be though...good luck bro, Shannon

Thanks to all.
At the suggestion of Rod(as you see in the photos), I found some playdoh, to temporarily put some seals on the front bezel, the big analog hygro, and the keyhole.
By last night the rh had risen from 58rh to 62rh. Something must be leeching air.

I was hopeing that when I woke up this morning it would be up to its normal 64 to 65 rh. But it wasnt.
I then noticed that a bunch of the playdoh had hardened and fell off(replaced with the yellow playdoh on the right hand side) and some of the other playdoh, had hardened a bit and shrunk, maybee causing some more openings on the seal.

The rh on the top is holding as always on a steady 67 rh. Nothing I did changed it, which is good.

I am looking for suggestions on how to precede, as far as sealing. Should I be doing this from the outside or inside of humidor?

Do I go with tape or some type of clear silicone. ?
If I use the silicone inside so I dont ruin the outside appearance of this very handsome humidor, will I run into trouble, with any chemicals leeching into cigars, especially in an enclose relatively high rh?

Thanks for any help, Jerry

[JCK]

I had problems with a glasstop humi dropping low in the winter months. It does not seal very well. Once I switched to heartfelt beads contained in the 1 oz tubes (about the size of a cigar). I've got 4 of them in different compartments of a 150 count desktop. This keeps well. You may have to hydrate the beads a little more often in the winter, but it seems to do the trick. You could do the same with the drymistat tubes, but their a bit pricey.

I never had good luck with credos.

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by JCK

I had problems with a glasstop humi dropping low in the winter months. It does not seal very well. Once I switched to heartfelt beads contained in the 1 oz tubes (about the size of a cigar). I've got 4 of them in different compartments of a 150 count desktop. This keeps well. You may have to hydrate the beads a little more often in the winter, but it seems to do the trick. You could do the same with the drymistat tubes, but their a bit pricey.

I never had good luck with credos.

Well I went out and purchaed some clear silicon which is not supposed to shrink or crack.

The good news is that I know the problem is with the seals, because the hygro is now up to 64 rh.
Thats where I like it, and I guess during the warmer months had no problem maintaining it, but now the cold weather has set in, it has a problem.

I am going to take the playdoh off one thing at a time, and see if the rh goes down, to try and ascertain, where the leakage is. I think both bezedled glasses in the front are not solid. I am disappointed in this.

Jerry

[gjcab09]

I think the silicone will work for you Jerry. If at all possible, though, I'd get my cigars out of it for the entire sealing/curing process. All of the silicone sealant products that I've messed with have had a very piercing chemical odor to them until cured. I'd hate to have it ruin your smokes. If you're going to take them out, I'd say seal from both sides or the interior at the least, if you're going to try to get away with leaving the cigars inside, then only silicone the outside. If you use it on the inside, be sure and leave the box open until fully cured, to allow the odor to dissipate. You may have to re-season when you're finished.

Sorry this one's giving you so much trouble, pretty classy looking with all that play-doh all over it though!

Good Luck!

[R10]

Jerry,

Sorry you're having this issue - certainly frustrating, but sounds like you've found the problem. I strongly second the removal of cigars - and humidication device(s) - while your sealant cures (even if only on the outside). Both will absorb the odor/chem fumes. The second seasoning after all is done (if you chose to do so) would certainly let you know if the problem is fixed prior to replacing your cigars.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.

Rick

[veteranvmb]

Thanks for the advice of removing the cigars. I was only going to do the outside first, but now I think I will find a temorary home first for the cigars. The warnings on the silicone looks extreme. It doesnt say may caue, it says WILL cause the following until cured. Never knew silicon was such powerful stuff.

Regards Jerry