Hydrometer Question

[why1504]

I just purchaced a new humidor. I have a very ugly small one that got balanced and stayed balanced. I set her up for 24 hours and moved my cigars. The new one is a 150 count Savoy glass top model. When I set her up I tossed my digital Credo Hydrometer in the top tray. Once she hit 70 and stayed there I thought I was good to go. I did not look at the brass Hydrometer on the front. Well I loaded her up, left the credo hydrometer on the top shelf and walked away. The next day I looked at the dial on the front it said 84%, the Credo said 64%. Well I figured the humidifier was not seasoned well enough so I took plastic wrap laid a piece in the bottom with a paper towel soaked with distilled water and another one in the top tray. I also got a Radio shack Hydrometer to confirm the Credo was correct. Now I have three readings - Analog on front is now @ 80%, Credo is @ 69%, and the Radio Shack is @ 61%. Which one should I trust? I have not tested any of these with salt or the kit. Should I take my Credo down to the local B&M and set it up in his humidor and check it against his?

Thanks!!

[germantown rob]

Don't trust the analog hydro on the front, it only takes a slight bang to uncalibrate those. As far as digital hrdros it is best to check their accuracy with a salt test (do a search and you will find lots of info on this site) or buy a kit to check the accuracy. I have 3 hydros and only one is dead on, the others are consistantly off by 2% and 4%. I do recheck mine every few months to know where they are reading.

[why1504]

Rob,

In reviewing how to perform the salt test I read not to use this method with digitals as it will corode the contacts inside the hyro. Is this a real concern?

Thanks!!

[RONINDICE]

You will get varied answers on that. I did and it did not seem to work. The hygro is still ok but it never went to 75% like it was supposed to. I can only say that this is due to my in-experience in doing the salt test. Buy some Heartfelt Beads and use a digital hygro to monitor RH fluctuations. That is what I do and it works fine.

[RGD]

Originally Posted by why1504

Rob,

In reviewing how to perform the salt test I read not to use this method with digitals as it will corode the contacts inside the hyro. Is this a real concern?

Thanks!!

IMHO - it's not going to be in the bag long enough to cause any contact damage. Unless of course you plan on dunking it in a salt solutioin

Try to get the beads and then you don't have to worry about it. Best way to go. No fuss no muss.

Ron

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by why1504

Rob,

In reviewing how to perform the salt test I read not to use this method with digitals as it will corode the contacts inside the hyro. Is this a real concern?

Thanks!!

IMO, no. I have done this with 4 digital hygrometers with great success. Plus anything between 62-66% is where I like 'em.

NCRM

[why1504]

Well, I did the wrap the hygrometer with a wet towel and the Credo was @ 96% after an hour. The Radio shack is testing now. I have always trusted the credo @ 70% it has always resulted in great stogies. Based on this I will balannce the box to the Credo. I expect the Radio Shack to come in @ 93%. The analog is hosed.

[caskwith]

I bought a small digital hygro/thermo (for humidors) from an aussie on ebay, salt tested it inside a lock 'n' lock tupperware with a saturated salt solution and left it to stabalize for about 24hours, it read 74%, popped it into my humidor which previously held a claibrated analogue hygro saying 70% and now it says 69% so im well happy with that. plus the hygro only cost me about £7 inc p+p

the inportant thing i find is to leave the salt test to stablize for at least 14hours, i always notice the humidity will fluctuate for a few hours going up and down as the air circulates so you need to give it time. also a saturated salt solution is the only way to ensure accurate results. boil some water, add salt until no more will dissolve then let it cool, there should be a pile of salt crystals in the bottom of the dish, this is what you want. then put it in a 100% airtight tupperware.

http://www.alacook.co.uk/media/image...PL807_xlrg.jpg

this method is used by scientists to claibrate their hygros. the key is patience.

[why1504]

As a postscript, I rely on my Credo. However, I looked at the analog llast night and it was 2% above the credo. Now I did not look at it for several days but It was interesting that it finally stabalized

[illuminatus]

Analogs =
Cheap digitals =

Get Viper's beads. You can calibrate all of your hygros off of his 65% beads.

[why1504]

Originally Posted by illuminatus

Analogs =
Cheap digitals =

Get Viper's beads. You can calibrate all of your hygros off of his 65% beads.

Yep, I agree. Me and 3 buddies are going to order a pound and split them up.

[illuminatus]

Originally Posted by why1504

Yep, I agree. Me and 3 buddies are going to order a pound and split them up.

That's the way to do it! (Make sure you get the bigger 1/3 )