My Western Caliber III is twitchy..

[larryinlc]

It's acting crazy. All over the map with readings. The display seems to short out and give illegable readings. I cleaned the battery. No change. I can't even pick it up without the display going bonkers. I suspect it's toast, and time for a new one. Maybe static due to dry air could cause this? When sitting untouched, it works fine. It acts as if there's a short in the circuitry. This is the first problem I've every had with a digital hygrometer, but then, this is the only Western I've had. Anyone else have bad luck with this brand?

Larry

[Blaylock]

Usually taking out the battery, cleaning and reinstalling or replacing it, clears up the problem. If not you could try calling your vendor and see if they can give you suggestions. They may even replace it. Can't hurt to try.

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by larryinlc

It's acting crazy. All over the map with readings. The display seems to short out and give illegable readings. I cleaned the battery. No change. I can't even pick it up without the display going bonkers. I suspect it's toast, and time for a new one. Maybe static due to dry air could cause this? When sitting untouched, it works fine. It acts as if there's a short in the circuitry. This is the first problem I've every had with a digital hygrometer, but then, this is the only Western I've had. Anyone else have bad luck with this brand?

Larry

Did you try a new battery? I have one that starts to give funny readings every once in a while when the battery gets low.

[larryinlc]

No new battery, but that's a good idea even though the Caliber III is not that old. No telling how long it's been sitting around though. Thanks guys.

Larry

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by larryinlc

No new battery, but that's a good idea even though the Caliber III is not that old. No telling how long it's been sitting around though. Thanks guys.

Larry

I got one and the battery started to die about two weeks later, so I might give that a try to see if it solves your problems. You can find them at most stores, I grabbed a couple from walgreens.

[larryinlc]

I think I may have solved the problem. I took it apart and bent the battery contact a bit so it makes for a tighter connection. For the moment, it now works as intended. We'll see.

Larry

[montecristo#2]

Glad to hear it is working better. I just love these things.

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=60978

[larryinlc]

I did notice one thing. While fiddling with this in my heated but un-humidified shop where the humidity is a dry, less than 10%, the hygrometer will not register below the designed level. So, it now shows 69 degrees and --% humidity. It's bone dry in here thanks to the cold temps outside. I always wondered how it would display when it hit the lower limit per the manufacturer.

Larry

[montecristo#2]

This is from Mark's site cigarmony.com

"Measures 20% - 99% RH with an accuracy of +/- 1% (in 40%-80% RH range)."

I guess you confirmed that tonight. The "high" temperature is probably from holding it, I assume your hands are decently warm.

[larryinlc]

This is my little taste of Arizona weather in Wisconsin. Heat but no humidity. Since I burn waste oil in the shop, I should crank up the heat to really get a feel for the desert.

Larry

[raisin]

I suspect that the batteries included with the unit are of the cheapest possible quality, because both of WC hygrometers did not run well untill I replaced them with new ones.