Massive humidity changes: hygrometer location

[stogsmokr]

I have huge differences in RH based on the location of my hygrometer. See the picture below: one hygrometer reads 73% and the other reads 65%. I know the hygrometers are (i) generally accurate because I salt-tested them and (ii) accurate relative to one another because they are within 1% when I place them side by side.

My questions are:

1. Huh?

2. Which one should I believe? I added humidification to get the hygrometer in the corner to read 65%, but I might be over-humidifying based on the reading in the center.

P.S. Since taking the picture below, I swapped the hygrometers and they read 73% (center) 65% (corner).

[Hammerhead]

It makes sense to me that the hygrometer nearest the edge seal and exposed to any loss due to even just a modest creep of cold dry air would be the one that's low, the one farthest from the seal in the center would be the highest. Sounds to me like this is probably normal for everyone, but for the fact that we don't have 2 digital hygros in the same box with a glass lid that we can check.

[stogsmokr]

Update: I placed masking tape over the seal around the entire humidor last night and this morning the readings were 74% center, 63% corner.

[Smell the Colors]

Originally Posted by stogsmokr

Update: I placed masking tape over the seal around the entire humidor last night and this morning the readings were 74% center, 63% corner.

Did you tape the glass too? Maybe it's the glass that has the bad seal.

[stogsmokr]

No, but that's a good point. I will try that this morning and check the readings in 12 hours or so.

[opus]

Originally Posted by stogsmokr

I have huge differences in RH based on the location of my hygrometer. See the picture below: one hygrometer reads 73% and the other reads 65%. I know the hygrometers are (i) generally accurate because I salt-tested them and (ii) accurate relative to one another because they are within 1% when I place them side by side.

My questions are:

1. Huh?

2. Which one should I believe? I added humidification to get the hygrometer in the corner to read 65%, but I might be over-humidifying based on the reading in the center.

P.S. Since taking the picture below, I swapped the hygrometers and they read 73% (center) 65% (corner).

I assume that the humidifier is in the bottom of the humidor, can't be sure from photo. Thehygrometers work via air flow accross the sensor. The hygrometer in th middle appears to be laying over a slot to the bottom of the humi while the corner hygrometer appears to be laying over solid wood with no slot. This could account for the difference in readings. Of course, I could be totally wrong, just a thought.There is not much air movement in a desk top humi to equalize humidity.

[stogsmokr]

Originally Posted by opusxox

I assume that the humidifier is in the bottom of the humidor...

No, but I think you solved my problem. Actually, the humidifier is on the shelf directly below the center hygrometer. I didn't think humidity could be that localized, but I guess the hygrometer is directly in the path of evaporation.

I will try placing the humidifier on the bottom and see if my results change. I guess I should check the humidity based on the hygrometer in the corner.

[Hammerhead]

Originally Posted by stogsmokr

No, but I think you solved my problem. Actually, the humidifier is on the shelf directly below the center hygrometer. I didn't think humidity could be that localized, but I guess the hygrometer is directly in the path of evaporation.

I will try placing the humidifier on the bottom and see if my results change. I guess I should check the humidity based on the hygrometer in the corner.

There y'go. It's the inverse of what I suggested. The differential can be explained by one being exposed to too much moisture, or too much dryness. Let us know how it works out!

In the meantime, buy beads! I have 6 tubes of 65% beads, one in each section of my humidor. Having humidification control distributed in various spots of your box helps even out the gradients. Beads are inexpensive, relative to the hundreds-into-thousands of dollars invested in cigars, easy to use, no mess and when in the tube container, portable to instantly turn any ziplok bag into a travel kit.

[stogsmokr]

I guess I didn't do a great job of searching before I posted because in my search for humidor fans I found posts related to my original issue.

I am going to buy the Oust fan this morning and see how it works. I am a little concerned about heat in the summer, but I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.

[TypeO-]

Originally Posted by stogsmokr

I guess I didn't do a great job of searching before I posted because in my search for humidor fans I found posts related to my original issue.

I am going to buy the Oust fan this morning and see how it works. I am a little concerned about heat in the summer, but I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.

The Oust fan is pretty big. I don't think it would fit in an average desktop humidor. If you were able to fit it in under the shelf, it would take quite a bit of space.

[stogsmokr]

Update #2: I moved the humidifier to the bottom, added an additional makeshift humidifier to the bottom and placed an Oust fan on the bottom. Currently the RH is 71% in the center and 68% in the corner. It's a little high, but I'm going to let it sit for a day then remove the additional humidity.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Now I can :s easy.

[opus]

Glad you got the problem worked out. Cigars ought to be enjoyed and not be a headache.

[stogsmokr]

Originally Posted by TypeO-

The Oust fan is pretty big. I don't think it would fit in an average desktop humidor. If you were able to fit it in under the shelf, it would take quite a bit of space.

It is big, but fortunately I have a big desktop (Vicksburg) and unfortunately I have available space. I will try the Oust until I don't have room for it. By then, maybe the full humidor will have a better balance of RH.

[Hammerhead]

Originally Posted by stogsmokr

Update #2: I moved the humidifier to the bottom, added an additional makeshift humidifier to the bottom and placed an Oust fan on the bottom. Currently the RH is 71% in the center and 68% in the corner. It's a little high, but I'm going to let it sit for a day then remove the additional humidity.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Now I can :s easy.

Ok, but don't expect it to happen any time soon. The cigars that were in proximity to the Credo are now likewise saturated to the same degree as the Credo itself, which means that you moved a highly saturated object from one spot to the other, and the cigars in the new location will then start absorbing more humidity.

I think in your scenario the issue is with the RH setpoint of the Credo, and not so much where in the humidor it is.

[ATLHARP]

2 questions:

1. How accurate are both of these hygrometers? Were they tested?

2.What is your current humidification system(s)?


Thanks,

ATL