Accumonitor

[Big Mulac]

I purchased an accumonitor a while ago and this is the first winter (in Chicago) with it in operation. It's working like a champ, but sometimes the RH builds up past the setting. Does it make sense to augment the system with the "beads" I heard about so that the "excess" humidity it absorbed? My understanding is that the accumonitor obviously adds humidity, but doesnt reduce it (Basicallly the system wouldn't call for any more humidity). My thought is that the bead thing may make the swings less. Any sage advice is appreciated.

Greg

PS This is the renovated oak ice box humidor with an interior volume of 6.65 cuft

 

[GoingPostal]

How high does it go? could try dropping the RH one point? Beads shouldn't be a problem since it is distilled water being used as the hydrating agent, but more experienced people will chime in.

 

[RonC]

Beads work great with the Accumonitor.

 

[Headbanger]

When I had converted a wine cooler with an Oasis on the bottom shelf I used 65% RH beads on the top shelf to absorb any extra as RH rises. Had a couple oust fans one up top and another on middle shelf.

The beads are a great way to ensure excess RH does not cause an issue. Beads are a slow (passive) way to ADD RH so will only be a supplement to the Accumonitor (active) you have working. You should also have some type of fan to stir the air with that large a ice box. Since the RH rises it could be just pooling the RH up top. I like Postal idea of dropping 1 point as well to help.

 

[Clint]

When your RH goes high, check the water levels in your canisters! If I forget to add water, and/or have added a few boxes to the humi, the canisters will run dry, causing the fans to stay on and pump too much humidity into the humi.

And yes....Beads are a great addition

 

[CWS]

I have beads in my cabinet with the accumonitor.

 

[Danilo]

When your RH goes high, check the water levels in your canisters! If I forget to add water, and/or have added a few boxes to the humi, the canisters will run dry, causing the fans to stay on and pump too much humidity into the humi.

And yes....Beads are a great addition

how does a "dry" canister add humidity? Not sure I follow this. It would need water to add humidity to the air, and you are saying that when the canisters are dry, it over humidifies?

I though a humidity probe sends the humidity info to the unit, not the canisters.

 

[Big Mulac]

How high does it go? could try dropping the RH one point? Beads shouldn't be a problem since it is distilled water being used as the hydrating agent, but more experienced people will chime in.

Thanks for the advice

 

[Big Mulac]

Beads work great with the Accumonitor.

looks like the beads will be the way to go. Thanks Brothers for the response....

 

[Clint]

how does a "dry" canister add humidity? Not sure I follow this. It would need water to add humidity to the air, and you are saying that when the canisters are dry, it over humidifies?

I though a humidity probe sends the humidity info to the unit, not the canisters.

No sure why, but the fans "lock" on when the canisters run dry. :dunno:

 

[SuprHasan]

No sure why, but the fans "lock" on when the canisters run dry. :dunno:

I'd be surprised if they didn't stay on. It seems to be quite simple as to why they're constantly running.
Here's my take. Ron, chime in with corrections where needed.
The monitor senses there is a lack of humidity, turns on the fan. Since the canister isn't releasing water, the RH doesn't rise. This forces the monitor to leave the fans running until the RH rises to the preset point of turning off the fans.

Though I'm still confused as to how an empty canister releases humidity.

 

[RonC]

I'd be surprised if they didn't stay on. It seems to be quite simple as to why they're constantly running.
Here's my take. Ron, chime in with corrections where needed.
The monitor senses there is a lack of humidity, turns on the fan. Since the canister isn't releasing water, the RH doesn't rise. This forces the monitor to leave the fans running until the RH rises to the preset point of turning off the fans.

Though I'm still confused as to how an empty canister releases humidity.

you got it

 

[Clint]

Just to be clear, it's certainly not a complaint...Totally my fault for not checking the water levels! It's only happened twice in the last 6 years, so....

 

[Big Mulac]

looks like the beads will be the way to go. Thanks Brothers for the response....

So I have the Accumonitor running with two fans;
....the inside volume of the humidor is 6.65 cuft;
....when I sized the amount of beads (per the chart on the website) it was about 1.5 pounds.

Intuitively, since the Accumonitor delivers the humidity, and I only want some ability to absorb humidity to keep the RH in a tighter range, I don't need as much bead as the chart says. -----So how much do I need?

Additionally, I don't think I even need to hydrate the beads.----Is this valid?

...and yes, I do enjoy this :grin:

 

[RonC]

no need to wet the beads, the accu will do it for you.

1 lb should do it. just spread them as thin as you can

 

[Big Mulac]

thanks Ron