puckifier problems

[Schecter30]

I have a 70% puckifier for my desktop humi. I'll recharge it and it won't ever get above 64%. Within a week I'll need to recharge it again because it will drop to the the high 50s. I'd like to have atleast 65% for a longer period of time. What do you think the problem is? I usually have the humi 2/3s stocked or fully stocked with cigars.

[SUOrangeGuy]

Whats the ambient humidity in your home? Everytime you open it you let humidity out.

[Schecter30]

I know the humidity in the room is lower, but I read it as soon as I open it. I've left it closed for like a week before and it still never reads above 63 or 64. Thats at its highest point then it drops from there within a week and I have to recharge it again. Doesnt seem right.

[dantzig]

Is your humidor fully seasoned? How well does it seal?

I'd put your cigars in a temporary storage solution and check and seal and/or reseason your humidor.

[Mr Mojo Risin]

This time of the year is the hardest time for me to keep the rh up to where i want it to be. (Here in Ky). The rh in this room where my humidor's are is at 27% right now. Im useing a another Humidifier with H2O + 65% Beads Just to stay in the 60-65% range. And I'm having to recharge every week or less. Cold and Dry.
Brian..

[n2advnture]

What are the dimensions of your humidor and what size Puck-ifier are you using?

Are you using a digital hygrometer or analog?
When was it last calibrated?

Since the hygrometer is the visual indicator for what the exact RH level is inside the humidor, I recommend calibrating your digital hygrometer twice a year and replacing the battery annually. I've hygrometers the were off by as much as 10% and weak batteries can and do give false readings.

How to Test and Calibrate a Hygrometer:

1. Fill a small container with salt (milk bottle cap or ketchup cup works well)

2. Add a few drops of distilled water. NOT enough to dissolve the salt, just enough to moisten it. You want the mixture to be thick and pasty.

3. Put the cap inside of an air tight zip lock bag or plastic container along with your hygrometer. Then seal the bag or container. (Tupperware works well).

4. Wait 24 hours, then check the reading on your hygrometer without opening the bag or container (or quickly open the container and check if the container is not clear).

If the reading is 75%, then your hygrometer is accurate and no adjustment is required.

If the reading is not precisely 75%, then you will just have to remember to add or subtract the difference between the test reading and 75%, in order to determine the actual humidity level inside of your humidor.

For example, if your hygrometer test reading was 80%, then subtract 5% from the readings you get when the hygrometer is inside of your humidor to determine the actual levels of humidity. (e.g. a reading of 70% inside your humidor equals an actual humidity level of 65%).

Writing the +/- percentage on a piece of tape or small post it note and affixing it to the hygrometer works well.

I hope this helps and thanks for the support, I greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Mark

[Schecter30]

Its about 10x8x4" Probably around a 45ct. I have the puck 50. I've been using a digital hygrometer in there for about half a year now but I'll recalibrate it just to be sure. Shouldn't need a new battery yet.

I've never checked the seal with a flashlight or anything but it seems good when I open and close it. I seasoned the humidor before so unless you need to do it more than once that shouldn't be the problem. The only thing I can think of is that I didn't have enough cigars in it. Does that factor in to it? I put more smokes in to fill it up earlier today so maybe the rh will go up. thanks for the help.

[n2advnture]

Originally Posted by Schecter30

Its about 10x8x4" Probably around a 45ct. I have the puck 50. I've been using a digital hygrometer in there for about half a year now but I'll recalibrate it just to be sure. Shouldn't need a new battery yet.

I've never checked the seal with a flashlight or anything but it seems good when I open and close it. I seasoned the humidor before so unless you need to do it more than once that shouldn't be the problem. The only thing I can think of is that I didn't have enough cigars in it. Does that factor in to it? I put more smokes in to fill it up earlier today so maybe the rh will go up. thanks for the help.

Definitely try the calibration first.

Adding (and removing cigars) can affect the RH. If the cigars added are dryer, they will absorb moisture requiring more frequent rehydrating of the RH Beads inside the Puck-ifier.

I hope this helps

~Mark

[Deucer]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

What are the dimensions of your humidor and what size Puck-ifier are you using?

Are you using a digital hygrometer or analog?
When was it last calibrated?

Since the hygrometer is the visual indicator for what the exact RH level is inside the humidor, I recommend calibrating your digital hygrometer twice a year and replacing the battery annually. I've hygrometers the were off by as much as 10% and weak batteries can and do give false readings.

How to Test and Calibrate a Hygrometer:

1. Fill a small container with salt (milk bottle cap or ketchup cup works well)

2. Add a few drops of distilled water. NOT enough to dissolve the salt, just enough to moisten it. You want the mixture to be thick and pasty.

3. Put the cap inside of an air tight zip lock bag or plastic container along with your hygrometer. Then seal the bag or container. (Tupperware works well).

4. Wait 24 hours, then check the reading on your hygrometer without opening the bag or container (or quickly open the container and check if the container is not clear).

If the reading is 75%, then your hygrometer is accurate and no adjustment is required.

If the reading is not precisely 75%, then you will just have to remember to add or subtract the difference between the test reading and 75%, in order to determine the actual humidity level inside of your humidor.

For example, if your hygrometer test reading was 80%, then subtract 5% from the readings you get when the hygrometer is inside of your humidor to determine the actual levels of humidity. (e.g. a reading of 70% inside your humidor equals an actual humidity level of 65%).

Writing the +/- percentage on a piece of tape or small post it note and affixing it to the hygrometer works well.

I hope this helps and thanks for the support, I greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Mark

This info should really be posted in a sticky. I've been reading around the forums and hearing about the "salt test" and I couldn't figure out what the heck people were talking about.

Thanks for filling me in!