Is my hygrometer broke?

[Fortune500]

I live in Northeast Ohio, so it's cold this time of year. We keep our house cooler than most, around 60 degrees in the wintertime as a matter of both personal comfort and fuel economy, because, well, natural gas ain't cheap. This makes a true 70/70 environment near impossible.

My humidor is a smaller desktop, a 100ct. It's an eBay peice, but it's not a bad box. I've gone over the seal several times, closed the box with a light in it to check for leaks, and such... nothing seems structurally wrong with it... tight seal.

In the last couple weeks or so, my hygrometer is staying pegged at around FORTY percent, despite any effort I make. I have 70 RH beads from heartfelt, and a small shotglass of distilled water in there as well. The cigars seem, and smoke fine...

IS it uncommon for those analog hygrometers to just stop functioning?

I'm in the process of shopping for a cheap digital hygrometer. The one in my humi is mounted in, and I don't think I can get it out without damaging the structural integrity of the humi, so I can't really run a calibration on it.

[taltos]

It seems that the analog hygrometers used on most humidors are there just for appearance. Even if you were to test it, if it was bumped or even looked at crossly, it would go out of adjustment again. You can get a digital for around $20--25 which is probably much less than your cigars are worth. That is definately the best move for you and for your peace of mind.

[croatan]

Originally Posted by Fortune500

IS it uncommon for those analog hygrometers to just stop functioning?

Not at all. If you're doing everything right with the beads, and you have a good seal, then I'd chalk it up to a bad hygrometer.

You said your cigars smoke fine, right? Well, that's really the only thing that matters.

If you're worried about it, get a digital hygrometer. But, again, all that matters is that your cigars are smoking well.

[wharfrathoss]

check these out (the adjustable ones)

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=10

i use them w/no complaints-the owner of the company is a member here (viper139) & his customer service can't be beat

(usual disclaimer: not associated with....blah blah blah)

BTW, haven't i seen ya on the ACC?

[St. Lou Stu]

My humis have been on the fritz lately too.
The cooler just requires more attention to the beads, twice a month rehydrating rather than once every two months.
The desktop now has a shotglass of distilled water in it along with the beads.
Humidity in my house is a whopping 4-8% this time of year!
It actually peaked at 12% this weekend.
I can't wait for spring.

[Fortune500]

Originally Posted by wharfrathoss

BTW, haven't i seen ya on the ACC?

Indeed you have.

Thanks for the advice, all. I just ordered a new digital peice that'll hopefully give me a better read.