xikar digi hygro question

[joselastra]

i was wondering if anyone can tell me how to properly calibrate a xikar hygrometer. ive tried calibrating but i just think that im either doing it wrong or the thing is just off.

is it possible that my anolog hygro can be way off as well? ive salt tested it for 4 hours and it only read 68-69? should i after the 4 hrs calibrate it manually to 75 afterwards? only reason i ask is bc i calibrated them last week and now they dont get up to 75 during the salt test?(they did last week)

[Tarks]

I can't help you with your Xikar hygrometer question but I can say that I recently salt tested my analog hygrometer. I found that 4 hours wasn't enough time. After 4 hours my reading was approx 85%. I left it over night and after a 24 hour period it was at 77%. My suggestion is to leave it over night and see where it is at. Hope that helps.

[XTRazzer]

I agree that you're not giving the enviroment (zip-loc bag) enough time to stabilize. At minimum go to 12 hours. And if I make changes at the 12 hour mark, I'll leave the thing sit at least another 8 hours to see if I was right.

The Xikar 'zeroes' itself when you hold the green button for approximately 5 seconds at 75% Rh. Make sure you don't remove it from the bag while you're trying to set it, just push and hold the green button through the bag.

[joselastra]

so say i check the anolog tomorrow am at 6(would be 14 hrs in bag) and it does not read 75, should i manually adjust it, then put it back in bag for another 8? as for the xikar i should do the same thing, right? what if after 20-24hrs they both go back to not reading 75?

i used a milk cap filled with salt, then water, i did not let water sit on top. is the milk cap too big?

[Jack Straw]

I feel like in theory, it will calibrate quicker if you use a smaller container, and more salt. 2c anyway.

[Tarks]

No, the milk cap is not too big.

For me, I simply put a pen mark on the gauge where the needle was sitting after the salt test. That mark is my calibrated "75%". I did not adjust the needle to read 75%. It is my opinion that adjusting the needle with calibration screw could cause you more problems. Hope that helps.

[XTRazzer]

Doesn't sound bad. All you want is to dampen the salt with distilled water. Chemistry takes over on the rest.

For the Xikar, there are a few folks who stated troubles with it being inaccurate. The solution in most cases was a new battery.

[joselastra]

UPDATE: so i swithced batteries in the xikar, it is currently re salt testing.(how long do the batteries "tend" to last?). now my anolog after about 14hrs in the salt test read 70, so i manually adjusted it to 75 and re salt tested it, (it is a brand new hygro) after 9 hrs it went back to 69, should i just asume its always off by 6?

[Frinkiac7]

I zeroed mine in after maybe 5 hours...certainly didn't wait 12 hours or anything like that.

[e-man]

First of all: Remember to take the battery out and put it back in before calibration.

Use a LARGE airspace. If you're using a plastic bag, then prop a business card or something to puff the bag up. I also recommend putting the bag on some type of insulator (plastic, cardboard, towel, etc) to make sure the surface that the bag sits on is the same temperature as the ambient air.

For instance a tile surface is usually colder than the air. Your hygrometer is in contact with the tiles and will assume that temp. If the air is warmer than your hygrometer, then your rH will be off.



Wait for the reading to STABLIZE for at least 4 hours before pushing the calibration button. If your temp and/or rH keep changing, then how do you know that you really have 75% in the bag when you push the button? If it keeps changing then put it in a basement closet where the temp is less likely to change.

Also, check the specs. Most digital hygrometers are rated at +- 2%. That's a possible 4% window (2 above and 2 below) if it's in that range then it is in tolerance.

FINALLY, if it still doesn't work then bring it back. They have a lifetime warranty that allows you to exchange them at any authorized dealer.

[XIKAR]

Your salt test should only take 4 hours if you are sure the Ziploc is properly sealed. Some food for thought though... If you use a huge bag, then it will take longer to bring the humidity up. If you add too much salt / too little water you will have a lower moisture content. I try to always use a quart sized bag and a standard bottle cap from a 2 liter bottle. Then I just top the cap off with salt and add water until I see the water start to float on the top.

If you are certain you have everything right and you still think your hygros are off, reset them both to 75 let them sit in the humidor (making sure you have plenty of humidification within) and then retest a few hours later. If you still think they are wrong, send it in and we will get you a new one ASAP

[cleggstore]

Originally Posted by joselastra

how long do the batteries "tend" to last?)

Depending on how long ago they were made and how long they sat in the warehouse and then the store it could be just a few weeks. Especially since all new hygros come with cheap batteries. I just had a brand new batch of caliber III hygros come with dead batteries right out of the box.

A brand new battery should last 8-12 mos.

David

[buckawheat]

Could one of you guys that own the Zikar digital hygrometer please tell me if the numbers are very 'faded'? I can read the temp and RH if i tilt it to an extreme angle, but not straight on. I just bought it new and have a feeling this is a very low battery issue.

[cleggstore]

Originally Posted by buckawheat

Could one of you guys that own the Zikar digital hygrometer please tell me if the numbers are very 'faded'? I can read the temp and RH if i tilt it to an extreme angle, but not straight on. I just bought it new and have a feeling this is a very low battery issue.

yes thats a low battery - thats the curse of having to import 10 or 20 thousand at time - by the time you get down to the last 1000 the batterys are starting to go dead - pop in anew one and it should be fine.

David

[buckawheat]

Originally Posted by buckawheat

Could one of you guys that own the Zikar digital hygrometer please tell me if the numbers are very 'faded'? I can read the temp and RH if i tilt it to an extreme angle, but not straight on. I just bought it new and have a feeling this is a very low battery issue.

Never mind... Went, picked up a new battery and it is perfect now.

Edit: didn't refresh to see David's reply - Thanks!