How big before fan is required

[stogie_kanobie_one]

I've seen relative humity discussed in conjunction with uneven dispersal of rh in large humidors. I always assumed this was cabinet and fridge type units though. I've also seen some forums on using PC fans in cabinet humidors, and edisonadors....

I've not seen anything as direct as this though. How big do you have to be before you require a fan to promote even dispersal of humidor rh?

I bought a Vicksburg and although it is big I did not consider it big when looking at it physically. For a week now though I've been stressing over the RH in the unit being 58%. I'd like it closer to 70 (I'm still figuring out if I like 70 vs. 65 as permanent rh). I've had the remote sensor sitting on top of the top trays for a week. The radioshack unit in it has been salt tested to be -3 so it read 55% rh.

After reading different posts here on rh I decided to move it into the bottom of the humidor just UNDER the two TOP trays, it sits now on top of two boxes in the bottom. It is basically at the half way point of the humidor height wise. Low and behold the darned thing reads 64% after 8 hours. So I am at a comfy 67% rh (in the middle) of the Vicksburg. That is a wopping 9% difference top to middle (I might have a heart attack if I tested the bottom). SO my question becomes a very blunt, at what size do you all feel you NEED to have a fan to distribute the air around? I wouldn't have thought I'd need one for a Vicksburgh.

1. Perhaps the Humidifier I'm using really does need to be up high (the Western Humifier)? Anyone think this will help to distribute the rh a little more evenly? It is a glass top so I'd hate to mount it on the glass, and I'd equally hate to take up cigar space putting it in a tray....
2. I also have a tube of beads in there and a shot glass temporarily (since it was reading alarmingly low previously [to me].

3. Perhaps I should move to all beads and just disperse them evenly throughout (one tube on each level)? A fan for this sounds like a serious pita.

Suggestions?? Pointers???

[PuffDaddy]

I think you answered your own question...If there is that much difference in the top to the bottom it would be best to distribute the beads throughout the humi. Another GREAT suggestion (thanks diet069) is a small battery operated fan like he mentioned in another post.

"Get an Oust fan. They work on a D cell battery and the fan cycles on for 5 minutes and off for 15 minutes. I hear they work for a couple months on 1 battery and the fragrance pack is seperate from the fan so you don't have to worry about funky smells."
A friend of mine did this in his cooler and it evened it out perfectly.
It's worth a shot if you ask me!
Good Luck

[TypeO-]

I recall the recommendation to use the Oust fan and will be buying one as soon as I can get my lazy self to the store.

I have an Antietam. It's a end-table style cabinet. I've noticed an uneven RH distribution between the bottom and the top which is a mere 22" higher. I've got 1/4 lb. tube of 70% beads on the bottom, 1/4 lb. tube of beads in the middle shelf along with a Cigar Oasis XL Plus, and 2 oz tubes on one side of each of the two drawers. Inside the each drawer, there are two 1/2 ounce tubes, one on either side of the drawer's dividers.

Even with all of the above elements, my humi hovers at 65% at the upper half of the humidor. The RH is at 67% at the bottom of the humidor. My Oasis is set to 72.5%.

The problem with the Oasis and a lack of airflow is that all of the RH produced by the Oasis is not moved around. It all hover in the area of the Oasis' RH sensor. Once the RH in the general area has reached the Oasis' set point, it shuts off. If there is no air flowing, the humidity doesn't reach the top or bottom of the humidor. It doesn't help that the humidor is nearly full, further restricting airflow.

I don't know how big your humidor is, but I'd say with an end-table style box, you'd need one.

[jgros001]

"3. Perhaps I should move to all beads and just disperse them evenly throughout (one tube on each level)? A fan for this sounds like a serious pita."

I would use all beads in nylons a bag on each level and a cigar oasis plus xl, I think a group buy may be going on.

[TypeO-]

Originally Posted by jgros001

"3. Perhaps I should move to all beads and just disperse them evenly throughout (one tube on each level)? A fan for this sounds like a serious pita."

I would use all beads in nylons a bag on each level and a cigar oasis plus xl, I think a group buy may be going on.

This is what I tried to describe in my long-winded post above. I have the configuration you mention, with the exception of the nylons. My beads are in the tubes sold by Heartfelt.

I have beads distributed on every level, with the Oasis near the center of the humi. I don't believe there is adequate airflow. A cheap fan such as the battery power Oust fan would help move the air around the humidor. It's a cheap option to try. If it doesn't work, well you got yourself an air freshener for the bathroom.

[688sonarmen]

"Get an Oust fan. They work on a D cell battery and the fan cycles on for 5 minutes and off for 15 minutes. I hear they work for a couple months on 1 battery and the fragrance pack is seperate from the fan so you don't have to worry about funky smells."



Very smart! Thanks

[Bubba -NJ]

I modified a PC fan to use in my 70qt. coolidor . Attached it to a timer to run for an hour at a time . It really seems to have evened out the Rh in my coolidor . Here's a photo ;

[drevim]

I will swear by the Oust fan. It has evened my RH in my 120qt cooler to exactly 65% throughout the cooler. I have 2 remote RH sensors that I move around in the cooler, and it is dead on throughout the entire cooler.

Probably the best $7 I've spent since I started this hobby.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Originally Posted by jgros001

"3. Perhaps I should move to all beads and just disperse them evenly throughout (one tube on each level)? A fan for this sounds like a serious pita."

I would use all beads in nylons a bag on each level and a cigar oasis plus xl, I think a group buy may be going on.

Hehe I hear you. I'm i on the group buy. But that oasis XL is going in my Edisonador that I'm building. Yikes, I've completely lost it.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Originally Posted by Bubba -NJ

I modified a PC fan to use in my 70qt. coolidor . Attached it to a timer to run for an hour at a time . It really seems to have evened out the Rh in my coolidor . Here's a photo ;

I've been wanting to ask about the PC fans. I understand the concept of creating them but for the sealed units how do you get the wiring through? Is it a no choice drill and seal situation? I will try the oust fan in the humidor but the edison I was thinking of using a PC fan.

I also read in another thread someone saying batteries give off fumes..... Any danger of that harming the wonderfull odor of the Humi?

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Well,

I picked up an Oust fan... When that fan kicks in I can barely feel it!!! And my goodness are those things bigger than I thought. I'll follow up with how the Oust does. Right now I bought only one unit. Two units would likely eat up toooo much space. If this is necessary for a humidor this size you'd think they'd build a system into it :-)

Interestingly enough I don't hear many owners of Vicksburgs complaining about humidity levels throughout.... Anyhooo I also just bought a 3rd remote station for the sensor and am salt testing it today. Tonight I'll be able to put a sensor in the bottom and a sensor in the top and let it ride for a week.

[TypeO-]

Originally Posted by stogie_kanobie_one

If this is necessary for a humidor this size you'd think they'd build a system into it

Some of the nicer, high-end humidors do have fans built in to them. You're going to pay large for one of these though. We'll just have to make do with Oust fans.

BTW, where did you pick your fan up at? I stopped in a my local Walmart Superstore and didn't see them.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Originally Posted by TypeO-

Some of the nicer, high-end humidors do have fans built in to them. You're going to pay large for one of these though. We'll just have to make do with Oust fans.

BTW, where did you pick your fan up at? I stopped in a my local Walmart Superstore and didn't see them.

All too true my friend. Oust it is. I did find a camping unit though mentioned somewhere else that was designed to spread air around in a cooler. Problem is THAT one takes 2 D batteries where the oust takes 1. I gotta invest in Duracell .

I was a bit impatient so I may not have gotten the best price. I got mine right at Stop & Shop the local grocery store. They should be in the same aisle as the household cleaners. I paid a little over 8 bucks for each one. All things considered it isn't a bad price. It includes one D battery as well.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by PuffDaddy

I think you answered your own question...If there is that much difference in the top to the bottom it would be best to distribute the beads throughout the humi. Another GREAT suggestion (thanks diet069) is a small battery operated fan like he mentioned in another post.

"Get an Oust fan. They work on a D cell battery and the fan cycles on for 5 minutes and off for 15 minutes. I hear they work for a couple months on 1 battery and the fragrance pack is seperate from the fan so you don't have to worry about funky smells."
A friend of mine did this in his cooler and it evened it out perfectly.
It's worth a shot if you ask me!
Good Luck

I got an Oust fan today. They are $5.99 at Target and some of them had a $2 instant savings coupon. So the Final Cost is $3.99. An enigizer D Cell is even included. Just make sure the fragrance bottle is not leaking. I could not smell any scent in the actual unit though.

It will go in my 100 Quart Coolerdor once I get around to buying it.

[TypeO-]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

I got an Oust fan today. They are $5.99 at Target and some of them had a $2 instant savings coupon. So the Final Cost is $3.99. An enigizer D Cell is even included. Just make sure the fragrance bottle is not leaking. I could not smell any scent in the actual unit though.

It will go in my 100 Quart Coolerdor once I get around to buying it.

I found it at Target. Apparently Walmart doesn't carry the high-end air fresheners.

I can already see the difference. My cabinet is at an even 70% now. I even cranked my Oasis down from 74.5 to 72.5.