I am a rookie so go easy. I have a tupperdor with Xikar 70% beads and a Xikar hygrometer and I can not get he RH to stabilize below 74%. I have calibrated the hygrometer with the salt test.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Hey, buddy!Yes, get a Boveda pack.
First things first, the salt test is not accurate enough to calibrate your hygro with. I know they recommend it, but get yourself a 75.5% Boveda calibration kit.
Next, and not being a jerk, but you do understand how the Xikar calibrates right? You put it in a 75% environment and then press the button at which point it will read 75%. Just covering all bases here.
All that being said, it is possible that you created closer to a 70% environment than a 75% environment with the salt test. Get yourself a Boveda calibration kit.
Now, as to your chosen humidification...I have no real experience with the Xikar "beads", but for a tupperdor, you would be much better off with a Boveda pack of your preferred RH%.
I don't want this to turn into a whole long drawn out discussion as there are plenty of those already on the site and elsewhere, but the above statement is false. Heartfelt beads are not exactly the same as the kitty litter silica beads. They are treated so as to have a specific RH "set point", to steal wording from HCM beads.Heartfelt beads are great, but they are still just silica crystals. All silica crystals regulate humidity just the same.
I stand corrected and bow to your wisdom sir. I'm still learning too and it's always good to get advice/opinions from those more educated on the subject matter.I don't want this to turn into a whole long drawn out discussion as there are plenty of those already on the site and elsewhere, but the above statement is false. Heartfelt beads are not exactly the same as the kitty litter silica beads. They are treated so as to have a specific RH "set point", to steal wording from HCM beads.
Kitty Litter will work, I've used it myself. That being said, once again, the best solution for this particular application is, IMHO, the Boveda pack. Once the collection grows to the point we are talking about a cooler-dor or cabinet humi, yeah, I would start looking at beads.
Yes. Anytime you replace batteries you should recalibrate just as a precaution. I try to make it a habit to test my hygrometers at least once per year.One quick question guys, does one have to re-calibrate a digital hygrometer after not using it for a extended period of time? Battery was exhausted and hygrometer was outside of humidor.
Thanks brothers! I love this forum!!
Thanks Jwrussell! Will do.Yes. Anytime you replace batteries you should recalibrate just as a precaution. I try to make it a habit to test my hygrometers at least once per year.