Fluxuation with my humi and new beads!

[PaulHag]

Ok here's a quick summary.... Got a half pound of beads, put almost the whole thing in my 250ish count humi.
Most are clear, but a small fraction are still white.. I sprayed a whole thing with distilled water, and then added a few dry ones to the mix....
The problem is im getting a lot of fluxuation with my humidity...usually ending with it ending at 63ish humidity. What can i do?... PS.. I have no cigars in there yet if that makes a difference
Did i put too many beads in? Is this possible?
Should I leave my credo in there as well? ( I took it out)

Plz help.... Thanks..

[Moglman]

It sounds like you did everything right. The 1/2 lb for a 250 ct humidor should be more than enough, and you cannot put too many in. More just adds additional stability and security. Sorry in advance if you have already tried these things, but I have three suggestions. First, ensure the humidor was properly seasoned. A well seasoned humidor will have all exposed cedar holding as much moisture as needed, and from here on should only have fluctuations in Rh from outside factors. I season every new humi with fully loaded credos and a very wet sponge (DW only), leaving it sealed for a minimum of 72 hours. I don't like to actually wipe the cedar down due to the raising of the grain, but I have given a one-time initial light mist of DW if it seemed really dry. Second, once you can definitively state the seasoning is complete, ensure the seal is good. Most like to use the flashlight test, taking the humidor into a dark room and putting a flashlight inside. No light should escape between the lid and base. Third, there should be no reason to put your credo back in unless you are using the additional moisture to season the humidor.

[icehog3]

Paul, are they the 65% or 70% beads?

[PaulHag]

65..

[Nely]

I believe the beads can have a 2-3% variation in humidity, and that may explain the 63% reading. I have a 70% bead tube in my desktop, and I have seen fluctuations from 67%-71%. Moglman advice is dead on. Do you open your humi often? Also, are you using a digital or analog hygrometer? You want to make sure your instrument is accurate. Those analogs even though they are calibrated seem to drift off. Get yourself a digital if you haven't already, its a great investment.