Humidification Problem

[sjnovakovich]

Hi All,

I just picked up a Montegue last week and I've been attempting to get it stabilized. From this point on in the post when I refer to H2O I mean distilled water.

After placing the cabinet, I wiped down the entire interior with H2O. I then charged a Hydra with a 50/50 solution of H2O and propylene glycol and set it for 70%. From Thursday through Saturday, the hydra ran constantly but stabilized at 69.8%. Every few hours the alarm would start to beep, but when I tried to add more H20, it wouldn't take it. I'd put the Hydra back in, turn it on, and few hours later the same thing.

Saturday, I bought a brand new hygrometer and put it in a ziploc with a Boveda 72% pack. After 12 hours it had a stable reading of 64% (go figure). I now have that hygrometer in the Monte on the shelf above the Hydra. The Hydra is still doing the same thing that it has been. It reads 69.9 and the alarm triggers every few hours. The hygrometer reads 54% on the shelf above (going by the calibration and adding 8% its giving me 62%)

I'm really unhappy with the Hydra so far, and this morning I ordered a pound of 70% beads to use in concert with the Hydra and a hygrometer that can be adjusted to match its calibration.

Opinions and suggestions are desperately requested. Should I dump the Hydra and go for a Moist-N-Aire? Do you think things will stabilize once I add the pound of beads? Am I missing something or being too impatient? Why is the Hydra beeping, but not taking any more H2o into the cartridge?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[tchariya]

If this humidor has no glass see-through window, i would first test it for leak. Place a flashlight inside the humidor and turn out the room lights. If you can see light around the lip of the lid, you might have a leak.

Start there.

[Isombitch]

I assume you mean the full sized Hydra. When you say it, "Won't take anymore" it made me wonder if it is overfilled. Inside, there is a piece of foam that the fan blows air over. It needs space around the foam to work properly. If it's "full" it won't work. The foam is just supposed to be saturated and not "full".


Just a thought.

Steve

[sjnovakovich]

Originally Posted by Isombitch

I assume you mean the full sized Hydra. When you say it, "Won't take anymore" it made me wonder if it is overfilled. Inside, there is a piece of foam that the fan blows air over. It needs space around the foam to work properly. If it's "full" it won't work. The foam is just supposed to be saturated and not "full".


Just a thought.

Steve

Hmmm. I'll bet that's the problem. So I guess I'll let it dry out a bit and start over.

[RonC]

sorry to say it, but if you charged the Hydra with 50/50 solution, it might be ruined.
And if you want to upgrade to the best humidification, check out my Avallo Accumonitor.

[Cozy]

Originally Posted by RonC

sorry to say it, but if you charged the Hydra with 50/50 solution, it might be ruined.
And if you want to upgrade to the best humidification, check out my Avallo Accumonitor.

I ordered the humidor with the accumonitor from Ron. I must say that was one GREAT investment. His system works great. Fill it up, set what humidity you want and it handles the rest. Now all my sticks are in the best of condition, living in paradise til I torch them

[Smoked]

I think that you are supposed to use straight distilled water with the Hydra.

[shilala]

Ah, yeah.
What gave you the idea to put pg solution in the hydra?
You'll need to order a new bottom. You effectively destroyed any chance of it ever working correctly.
Sorry!!!

[chippewastud79]

Originally Posted by Smoked

I think that you are supposed to use straight distilled water with the Hydra.

Also, my Hydra is used purely to help jump the humdidity if it drops. Trying to season the humidor with the Hydra is going to take a whole heck of a long time. I seasoned with just the beads and some shot glasses of distilled water throughout my cabinet. I am not sure how big the Montague is, but it might be small enough that you don't even need the Hydra.

[RonC]

its the sensor that the PG will ruin

[sjnovakovich]

Great input guys.

I used PG because the cartridge is made up of florist foam and 50/50 PG is used to charge other foam humidifiers in order to inhibit mold growth. I charged another cartridge last night but didn't use as much solution. I think isomebitch had it right when he suggested that I might have over-filled the cartridge. Any way, I put the new cartridge in last night around 6 and as of 7 this morning, everything seemed stable. I still have the beads coming so I am going to use them too. If things don't work out with the Hydra, I'll probable get an Accumonitor as suggested. I'll keep you posted.

Why is PG not to be used in the Hydra? That seems odd to me.

Thanks again for you all of your input.

Steve

[RonC]

all of the electronic humidifiers use distilled water only. PG will ruin the sensor.

[CigarmanTim]

Originally Posted by shilala

Ah, yeah.
What gave you the idea to put pg solution in the hydra?
You'll need to order a new bottom. You effectively destroyed any chance of it ever working correctly.
Sorry!!!

Absolutely true...my hydra works great but you can only use distilled water...sorry bro. All these electronic humidifiers work better with beads however.

[CigarmanTim]

Originally Posted by RonC

sorry to say it, but if you charged the Hydra with 50/50 solution, it might be ruined.
And if you want to upgrade to the best humidification, check out my Avallo Accumonitor.

Holy cow. Ron, you are the guy I shared emails with during my search for an electronic humidifier....sure wish you made a smaller unit. You steared me to the hydra...been real happy with it over the oasis due to the adjustability. Thanks! When I get my larger cabinet I will only go with an Avallo.

[CigarmanTim]

Originally Posted by RonC

all of the electronic humidifiers use distilled water only. PG will ruin the sensor.

I've been contemplating taking the foam out and replacing with beads...I guess that is not a good idea?