Calibration Situation: Dueling Hygrometers

[Spenny]

Alright ladies and gentlemen,

I have a few, most likely very noobish, questions for the experts. Here's the situation:

I purchased two new hygrometers recently, in preparation for building my Ammodor, as well as just wanting one to go in a tupperdor. The first is one of the Xikar rectangular hygrometers, and the second is a Don Salvatore Digital Analog (in styling only) hygrometer. I got the Xikar in a few days ago, and promptly attempted the salt test. After hitting 55%, I realized I had made a rookie mistake, as the salt I had used was full of anti-caking agents and other fun things. So I put it in with a Boveda 69% packet, as well as the Don Salvatore when it came in yesterday. I checked up on them this morning before work.

The Xikar is reading 65%. 69 Degrees Fahrenheit.
The Don Salvatore is reading 70% (apparently, as it doesn't seem to have a direct digital readout, since it's a digital dial). 68 Degrees Fahrenheit.

The house temperature is set to 70 Degrees, if that helps. My questions are as follows:

- Am I overthinking this, and are these within margin of error? (5% variance makes me think that one or both should perhaps be zeroed)
- Should I just get a Boveda Calibration Bag or two and test from there, rather than a 69% small packet?
- Is testing two hygrometers in such a small area inadvisable, or have I overlooked something else important?

Any insight or advice is greatly appreciated. I've tried searching and looking for similar threads, however I don't find much info on the Don Salvatore hygrometers, so I thought I'd pose these questions to the boards.

Thank you very much in advance, brothers!

Cheers,
Spenny

 

[sofc]

What's a small area? Is it sealed? If you think it's too small, do them separately and wait over a day.

Are they adjustable? If so, adjust both to 69 like the boveda. If not, write whatever the difference is on the hygro so you know and can adjust in your head.

and yes, you're overthinking But I say that to everyone.

 

[Spenny]

What's a small area? Is it sealed? If you think it's too small, do them separately and wait over a day.

Are they adjustable? If so, adjust both to 69 like the boveda. If not, write whatever the difference is on the hygro so you know and can adjust in your head.

and yes, you're overthinking But I say that to everyone.

The hygrometers are in a sandwich bag within a sandwich bag, both sealed up. I don't think they are adjustable (though someone can correct me on this) other than them being able to be "zeroed" in on 70% or 75%.

Guess I'm a bit surprised that the Don Salvatore got so close to the Boveda's % so fast (~11 hours) whereas the Xikar was on a steady climb for a day before sitting at 65%.

Cheers,
Spenny

 

[sofc]

what does zeroed in mean?

 

[Spenny]

what does zeroed in mean?

I'm probably not using the right terminology. But the hygrometers each have a button or series of button pushes which will make the sensor read 70% or 75% (for the Xikar and DS, respectively, if my memory of the manuals serves). So if you know the humidity is 70%, but the hygrometer is reading something else, you can force it to be 70% and thereby "zero it in". Does that make sense? I'm not great with explaining this stuff as I know nearly nothing about any of it beyond the manual pamphlets.

 

[sofc]

I'm probably not using the right terminology. But the hygrometers each have a button or series of button pushes which will make the sensor read 70% or 75% (for the Xikar and DS, respectively, if my memory of the manuals serves). So if you know the humidity is 70%, but the hygrometer is reading something else, you can force it to be 70% and thereby "zero it in". Does that make sense? I'm not great with explaining this stuff as I know nearly nothing about any of it beyond the manual pamphlets.

if that's true. leave them in the bags for over a day. at that point the ambient inside should be 69 degrees of humidity. Take them out and zero it at 70 and move on.

 

[Spenny]

if that's true. leave them in the bags for over a day. at that point the ambient inside should be 69 degrees of humidity. Take them out and zero it at 70 and move on.

Sounds like it should work. Only question is if my apparent OCD will be able to take it.

 

[OtismyMan]

Must be something with the Xikars...mine measures 4% low after a Boveda calibration kit test too. I don't have the manual for mine as it came with Humi... would you mind posting steps to "Zero out" the Xikar?

 

[Spenny]

Must be something with the Xikars...mine measures 4% low after a Boveda calibration kit test too. I don't have the manual for mine as it came with Humi... would you mind posting steps to "Zero out" the Xikar?

I'd be happy to do so! I'll post it up as soon as I get home, (just to make sure I'm not steering you wrong!).

 

[OtismyMan]

Thanks I appreciate it... Hate having to adjust in head..damn OCD

 

[Spenny]

Thanks I appreciate it... Hate having to adjust in head..damn OCD

Alright, so apparently I was completely mistaken (no surprise there). The two-button Xikars are no longer adjustable, so if there is no "Calibrate" button (as on the former version), there is no way to "zero" it. I apologize that I made an error, as it was the Don Salvatore which does feature one button re-calibration/"zero"-ing.

For the rest of the sports fans that are still tuned in:

The Xikar is now reading 66% / 71F.
The Don Salvatore is now reading ~73% / 69F.

Hoping the Don will go back down to the correct range.