Confusing results with hygro calibration - possible answer

[rick12string]

Click on the link below to the thread previously discussing this.
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=19710
The adjustable HygroSets had a problem that when the temp reading on the hygo display dropped below 68 degrees F the humidity jumped up 5% RH and when the temp reading went back to 68 degrees the RH returned to where it was. The change in RH when the temp display went from 68 to 67 degrees was like flipping a switch. I was told the manufacturer after investigation said it was a defect in the chip and they would correct it.
Dave from Heartfelt just sent me a new rectangular HygroSet from a new production run which the manufacturer claims to have fixed the problem. I have it in a test kit now. Once I have a steady reading I'll put the test kit in the frig to bring the temp down to 67 or below to see if it changes the RH then take it out and watch it as the temp comes back up slowly to see if there are any sudden RH jumps as before. I will post here as soon as I get the final results.
Now if your humidor never falls below 68 degrees this should not pose a problem for you or if it doesn't go above 67 degrees also should not be a problem. This is assuming the problem with the hygo is only at the 67-68 degree point. The room I have it in can get down to 66 degrees at night and up to 72 during the day in the winter. I caught it by chance in the winter months when the temp reading changed from 68 to 67 and the RH suddenly jumped 5%. Yes humidity can change with changes in the temp but not a change of 5% RH over a 1 degree change in temp. This was an electronics issue, not a temp/RH issue.

 

[Good_Stogies_Mon]

How did you come out on this? Mine dose the same thing.

 

[rick12string]

Sorry it took me so long but I wanted to do the test twice to make sure. Also I’m on a new project at work. Engineering sucks. Everything is needed yesterday, I’m on the computer almost all day @ 60 hour weeks and it’s killing my eyes. Haven’t even had time to keep up with any new posts. When I get home, the last thing I want to do is look at a computer.
With that being said and enough of my venting, on to the results.

Did the test twice and it’s the same shit. I don’t know what the manufacturer did but they didn’t fix the problem, at least on the unit I got.

I have to e-mail Dave at Heartfelt. He wanted to know how it works out. Dave is a good guy and Heartfelt is top notch when it comes to customer satisfaction but this is on the manufacturer. I don’t understand how the problem can be explained explicitly to them. They investigate it and determine it’s a problem with the chip. They supposedly correct the problem, ship the new units and they still have the exact same problem. I would like to know what they did because to me the answer appears to be NOTHING!

I like the idea of an adjustable hygro but they need to fix this flaw. In addition the clicks on the calibration knob are very hard to feel which sometimes makes it difficult to calibrate. It may take a few shot to get it right.

This unit also seems in my experience to have a narrow window of accuracy. The further you get away from the calibration RH the less accurate it seems to be. I would suggest if you have one and keep your smokes at let’s say 65% RH then I would use a 65% Boveda pack to calibrate it as opposed to the standard 75% RH pack in the kit.

That’s it for now, back to the grind.

 

[daniyal]

These digital hygrometers are far too inaccurate and bothersome if you stray from the equilibrium... in my case its impossible to constantly maintain a 70/70 environment. I simply calibrate them at room temperature or the temperature they will be used at. I think this is the best most accurate approach when using a digital hygro but if you really want a reliable instrument get your self a good analogue hygrometer those things are very accurate.. I generally know my digital hygrometers are off or need to be re-calibrated by comparing their readings to that on my analogue one. I've had the same analogue hygrometers for at least two years and they're spot on when ever I do the calibration test.

 

[Tegu]

These digital hygrometers are far too inaccurate and bothersome if you stray from the equilibrium... in my case its impossible to constantly maintain a 70/70 environment. I simply calibrate them at room temperature or the temperature they will be used at. I think this is the best most accurate approach when using a digital hygro but if you really want a reliable instrument get your self a good analogue hygrometer those things are very accurate.. I generally know my digital hygrometers are off or need to be re-calibrated by comparing their readings to that on my analogue one. I've had the same analogue hygrometers for at least two years and they're spot on when ever I do the calibration test.

Interesting, I have yet to use an analog that worked, you can try and calibrate them, but it seems like they never stay, I have found the digital to be much more accurate.

 

[Jwrussell]

I'm with Tegu on this one, I've NEVER found an analog that was worth a damn.

Rick, I'd be very surprised if the company that makes the things did anything other than shrug their shoulders and keep shipping. Not enough complaints for them to worry about is my guess.

 

[tobby4]

I'm with Tegu on this one, I've NEVER found an analog that was worth a damn.

Neither have I...

 

[Good_Stogies_Mon]

These digital hygrometers are far too inaccurate and bothersome if you stray from the equilibrium... in my case its impossible to constantly maintain a 70/70 environment. I simply calibrate them at room temperature or the temperature they will be used at. I think this is the best most accurate approach when using a digital hygro but if you really want a reliable instrument get your self a good analogue hygrometer those things are very accurate.. I generally know my digital hygrometers are off or need to be re-calibrated by comparing their readings to that on my analogue one. I've had the same analogue hygrometers for at least two years and they're spot on when ever I do the calibration test.

Im with you daniyal on this one. I have one digital and analogue so my experience is not vast but I prefer the analogue over that flaky digital any day. I would be interested to know what type of digital meters you guys are using that are accurate and you are happy with? I would like to have one.

 

[Moro]

One more analog user here. I'd put any of me analog hygrometers in a humi before a digital; have given me better results.

 

[Jwrussell]

You guys with the analog hygros really need to start posting up some brands or what not.

Seriously, just about ANY digital I've ever dealt with has been more CONSISTANT than any analog. Digitals can be a pain in the ass as most are not adjustable so you are stuck with whatever +/- is inherent in the hygro, and some times that can be a big variance. But I've never come across an analog that was in any way consistant.

 

[Moro]

I get the Humitabs (analog hygro) at me local B&M and, as long as I don't shake them, it always passes the salt test.

 

[Jwrussell]

Hmmm. Any manufacturer name or anything? Google no likey "Humitabs"...

 

[Moro]

Thats the brand name (sorry, mate; maybe an unknown french mark...I mean, they ARe french).

 

[Good_Stogies_Mon]

You guys with the analog hygros really need to start posting up some brands or what not.

Mine is just a el-cheapo from the B&M, no name on it. I will have to look and see If I still have the box it came in or I will look the next time I am at the B&M.

 

[daniyal]

There are a couple out there you can try a Savinelli if you can find one otherwise Taylor Industries and Acu-Rite make some good ones.


http://www.partshelf.com/hygrometer.html

 

[Good_Stogies_Mon]

Any body ever come up with any names of good digital hygrometers that can be trusted? Thanks in advance.

 

[oneaday]

I like Oregon Scientific. Radio Shack has a couple of decent adjustables.

 

[daniyal]

I like Oregon Scientific. Radio Shack has a couple of decent adjustables.

I second that the only hassle free digital hygros are by Oregon Scientific.