Will it ever work?

[ca21455]

I have a Plexiglas box 19" wide x 12" tall and 14" deep. It has a good rubber seal on the door and two shelves inside with holes for air movement in the box. The door is held shut with two latches. I figured this would make a great humidor.

The temperature in the room I store the box in is a constant 70 degrees.

There is a cigar sized cedar box inside the unit and nothing else.

I cleaned out the box, and put a credo humidifier in it. The humidity went up to 85% and stayed there. I am measuring the humidity with a digital device that has been checked to be within about 2%.

I aired out the box and tried a pillow but the humidity still went to 85%.

This should work just as well as a coolidor, right?

I heard that the humidifier beads will control humidity, is that the trick?

Any suggestions?

[JPH]

Originally Posted by ca21455

I have a Plexiglas box 19" wide x 12" tall and 14" deep. It has a good rubber seal on the door and two shelves inside with holes for air movement in the box. The door is held shut with two latches. I figured this would make a great humidor.

The temperature in the room I store the box in is a constant 70 degrees.

There is a cigar sized cedar box inside the unit and nothing else.

I cleaned out the box, and put a credo humidifier in it. The humidity went up to 85% and stayed there. I am measuring the humidity with a digital device that has been checked to be within about 2%.

I aired out the box and tried a pillow but the humidity still went to 85%.

This should work just as well as a coolidor, right?

I heard that the humidifier beads will control humidity, is that the trick?

Any suggestions?

Ya' your current device gives off RH, does not soak it up when needed....Beads will.

[RGD]

Yep - Like Jeremy said - install the beads to absorb the extra RH. Don't wet them - just put them in dry since your up 85%.


Ron

[PuffDaddy]

Originally Posted by RGD

Yep - Like Jeremy said - install the beads to absorb the extra RH. Don't wet them - just put them in dry since your up 85%.


Ron

When I first set up a cooler I made the mistake of misting the beads, and in no time the hygro was showing over 90%! I took some that were not "charged" and they absorbed the excess moisture. Overnight it pegged 65%. I has been like that for over five months without any attention. Go here http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/Beads.htm now and save yourself a headache.
On the upside, if the box can hold the humidity that high then you should have no problem maintaining 65% or 70%.

[ca21455]

Thanks, I'll get some of the beads, thanks for the link PuffDaddy.
Good advice on using them dry first.

[Baric]

The instructions tell you how best to do it. save yourself some time and put in 40% dry, 60% wet and they will soon stabilise the RH. no need to putthem all in dry first.

[ca21455]

Good advice Baric, I think it will help to have something in there also. Just wanted to make sure I could get it to work before I ruined a box of cigars,

[ca21455]

Still dragging my butt on getting the beads, but I loaded the box up with a bunch of empty boxes and the humidity is holding at 68% now.

[Full Bodied Bruce]

From what I have been reading the door should be closed but not so tight as to prevent a little air from escaping in order to prevent mold, excessive humidity build and so on.

[Teninx]

At the risk of earning my commission as Captain Obvious....is the plexi box always kept out of sunlight?

[smokinpoke]

i think it will work when i bought my first couple of boxes i used a ghettodor. rubbermaid container with two household sponges soaked in distilled water and sealed with saran wrap and the lid and slid it under my bed. actually the most consistent rh i have ever had.

[ca21455]

Originally Posted by Full Bodied Bruce

From what I have been reading the door should be closed but not so tight as to prevent a little air from escaping in order to prevent mold, excessive humidity build and so on.

Yup, that is my major worry with this thing. It was designed as a dehumidifier and is air tight. I have been opening it every couple of days and that also helped some. As time goes on I will get a routine figured out.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by ca21455

Yup, that is my major worry with this thing. It was designed as a dehumidifier and is air tight. I have been opening it every couple of days and that also helped some. As time goes on I will get a routine figured out.

Being airtight is a good thing. You probably don't need a humidifier at all. Try and see. I have kept smokes in a Gladidor at a steady 65% without humidification at all because it seals so well. When the rh dips, put the humidifier back in for a few hours to get the rh up.

NCRM

[ca21455]

Thanks NCRM, that makes sense.