Help getting my coolerdor set up!

[fr3nchguy]

Hi, I'm trying to get my recently set up collerdor to be at 70%RH but need some help.

The equiptment:
- Coleman extreme 70 QT cooler
- Battery fan 5 mins on/15 off
- About 2/3 of a pound of Heartfelt beads (70%) RH in 3 mesh bags
- About 8 cigar boxes 2 full (Cooler is 25% full)

Some facts - RH of room is about 50% and temp is around 68 degrees.

The scenario:
I moisten until 70-80% of the beads go clear with a sprayer, and the humidity goes up overnight and stays there for a couple of days to 75% RH (despite opening on a daily basis to check RH. After 10 days or so, it goes down to 65% RH.

The questions:
1. Why does it go up to 75% and not 70%? Is there something wrong with the beads
2. Is it normal that I have to "rewet" after 10 days? I put in more beads than I thought I needed since I would ideally want to only refill every 30 days or so.

HELP!

[icehog3]

One thing you didn't tell us is about your hygrometer. Is it digital? Have you salt-tested it or otherwise calibrated it?

During the winter months the beads will need more recharging, as the dry heat produced by a furnace will cause the humidity to fall much more rapidly than in the warmer months.

Also, the fuller your coolador is the easier it will be to maintain your humidity in the long run...so you have a great excuse to buy some more cigars!

[RGD]

Originally Posted by fr3nchguy

. . .
The questions:
1. Why does it go up to 75% and not 70%? Is there something wrong with the beads
2. Is it normal that I have to "rewet" after 10 days? I put in more beads than I thought I needed since I would ideally want to only refill every 30 days or so.

HELP!

As Tom mentioned - you do have a hygrometer don't you?

Next - DO NOT wet the beads based on visual inspection. Only re-wet the beads when your hygrometer tells you that you need to. And then maybe you don't need to wet 70 or 80% - maybe only 50 or so.

Keep in mind that if your cooler seals good there is only two places for the moisture to go to - some into the boxes but the majority will be soaked up by the cigars. So only wet the beads when the hygrometer says to.


Ron

[fr3nchguy]

Yes, I'm using a digital hygrometer that has been calibrated (using salt test and against another one). Oh, I haven't had to use heat in my house for 2 weeks... it's 86% outside today!

I've only "rewet" when they were down to 65% (within 10 days).

I don't really want to put more cigars in there when I can't get the beads to start off at 70%.

[JPH]

forget only wetting them to 70% wet...soak them.... give them a good wetting every day for a few days....you'll be fine.

[fr3nchguy]

Originally Posted by JPH

forget only wetting them to 70% wet...soak them.... give them a good wetting every day for a few days....you'll be fine.

Sorry, I'm confused!

How will that help me to get the RH of the coolerdor from 75% to 70%- seems that it will have opposite effect...

[raisin]

I would cut down on that fan usage. In that size coolodor, it really is overkill, especially as often as it is running.
That much circulation is rapidly drawing off the moisture from the beads, and forcing it out of any normally minor air leaks in the cooler. You're probably oversaturating the beads, and the fan is evaporating this excess to produce those initial high readings.
Try doing without it for a while, and you'll probably be pleased with the results.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

This is the deal. When you first wet the beads the beads will initially give off moisture no matter what I've found. So when the they are freshly wetted down they do usually spike slightly on the outing of humidity. They will however acclimate and then start to adjust to absorbing or giving off as necessary. When the coolerdor drops DOWN to the 65 range don't panic. See if it stays there for a day or two, your cigars are not going to die. If it holds at 65 or drops further simply look at your beads and see if they have turned mostly white meaning they DO need a recharge. If they DO need a recharge it is the nature of the beast. Winter is drier, coolerdors and humidors have leaks sometimes, your cigars could be dry and in NEED of additional moisture, and the simple fact is the beads may simply need recharging a little more often in your case. If you look at the beads and they are still mostly clear and do NOT need wetting, something else may be going on, report back here and we can revisit this. ALSO, do remember that EVERY time you open that coolerdor you let out all of the conditioned air and it has to start over essentially from scratch. This is why I have a coolerdor AND a daily smokes humidor. But in the end once you find that sweet spot with your coolerdor it rehumidfies very fast indeed.

One other thought. I bought two ounce tubes EXPRESSLY for the purpose of being able to spread the beads around. This also help swift re-humidification and adequate humidification.

I would also lose the fan.

Good luck, SK1

[fr3nchguy]

Thanks for all the help!

Ok, so I've added a couple of planks of what I hope is spanish cedar (purchased on ebay) and turned off the oust fan. I'll let everyone know how it works out in a week. BTW I do have a standard humidor for my daily smokes...

Can anyone recommend a reliable/cheap wireless hygrometer?

Thanks again!

[raisin]

You might be able to find the Radio Shack version in the stores. If not, the Oregon Scientific models are widely available.

[palm55]

(IMHO) Lose the fan and double up on the beads. Also, if you have boxes stored in your cooler, crack the tops just slightly and lay a couple of Q-tips along the lip to keep them that way. This seems to increase airflow within the boxes and accelerate aging.