xikar hygrometer problems

[smitty81]

Just got the round digital hygrometer yesterday. Did the salt test to calibrate it.

My RH levels in my humi seemed funny so I took the hygrometer out and back in a bag with the salt and water cup. (rehydrated)

The level should in therory go back up to 75% after 4 hours should it not?

tag

[T.G]

Originally Posted by Swif

tag

Nice review.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Swif

tag

You're it.

[jluck]

Originally Posted by smitty81

Just got the round digital hygrometer yesterday. Did the salt test to calibrate it.

My RH levels in my humi seemed funny so I took the hygrometer out and back in a bag with the salt and water cup. (rehydrated)

The level should in therory go back up to 75% after 4 hours should it not?

I think more like 24 hrs.

[Islayphile]

Originally Posted by jluck

I think more like 24 hrs.

+1

In my experience 12 is usually sufficient, but if you're concerned about it leave it for 24hrs to be safe.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by jluck

I think more like 24 hrs.

then why does it say 4 hours to calibrate in xikars instructions?

[Islayphile]

Originally Posted by smitty81

then why does it say 4 hours to calibrate in xikars instructions?

typo?

[CigarNut]

IBTLl!

[oooo35980]

I ended up throwing a calibrated hygro in the bag and waiting until that one hit 75%. It took all day, 10ish hours. Maybe it has to do with how much salt, and how wet it is.

Here is how science guys do a salt test.

First, they know the size of the test chamber. Then, they get a precise amount of salt that is based upon the size of the test chamber. Next, the amount of water that they use is based upon the amount of salt that they used. Last, but not least, they have a formula for how much time that they need to do the test correctly. The time is based upon the test chamber size, amount of salt, and amount of water.

This equation is the same equation that is used with the Humidipak calibration bag. You have a precise amount of water and salt (the humidipak), and you have a test chamber matched to the salt and water(the calibration bag). Then based on all 3 (salt,water,chamber) you have a precise time frame to conduct the test.

another example. There is a relatively expensive hygro available called the VWR recalibratable hygrometer. with the hygro comes a calibration bottle. in the bottle is a precise mix of water and salt. you stick the end of the hygro into the calibration bottle. they have it designed so that the hygro does not get wet. because they have a fixed amount of salt and water, and bottle size, the company can give you an exact timeframe for conducting the test.

at home salt test can vary greatly because we all use different size test chambers. Also, what exactly is a slurry? or not too wet, but not too dry.

Use the Humidipak calibration kit.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by RonC

at home salt test can vary greatly because we all use different size test chambers. Also, what exactly is a slurry? or not too wet, but not too dry.

Use the Humidipak calibration kit.

This. I have always hated the salt test for the exact reasons you described. It's well known that if your too dry or too wet your RH can differ by great amounts. How the salt test can be called "accurate" is far beyond me.

[smitty81]

I took my 65% bead tube out of my humi and put it in a ziplock bag.

An hour has passed. It went from 61% to 71% within an hour.

I thought the beads were suppost to maintain RH levels.

Either that or my digi xikar hygrometer is was off...........

Grr, calibrating this hygrometer with the salt test is proving to be useless.

[jluck]

Originally Posted by smitty81

I took my 65% bead tube out of my humi and put it in a zip lock bag.

An hour has passed. It went from 61% to 71% within an hour.

I thought the beads were suppost to maintain RH levels.

Either that or my digi xikar hygrometer is was off...........

Grr, calibrating this hygrometer with the salt test is proving to be useless.

What did? Give a few more details.
Your humidor went from 61-71% after one hour? (without beads?)
Your hygrometer went from 61-71% in the ziploc bag with the beads?

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by jluck

What did? Give a few more details.
Your humidor went from 61-71% after one hour? (without beads?)
Your hygrometer went from 61-71% in the ziploc bag with the beads?

it jumped up from 61%-71% with the heartfelt 65% beads in the baggie.

[EricF]

Is your hygro adjustable? Sometimes out of the box they are not set properly. I have had to adjust a few and some were dead on.

Also, how wet were the beads? If you just hydrated them maybe you made them too wet.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by EricF

Is your hygro adjustable? Sometimes out of the box they are not set properly. I have had to adjust a few and some were dead on.

Also, how wet were the beads? If you just hydrated them maybe you made them too wet.

yep, I've had it about a week. I had a feeling it wasnt very accurate so I did a few salt test on it.

Never comes close to %75

I got the test kit so I will wait and see i guess

[jluck]

Is it adjustable? I know it was asked already but I didn't see a answer.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by jluck

Is it adjustable? I know it was asked already but I didn't see a answer.

If it is, then turn the adjustment knob a click or 2 to the right and retest. If it's not then the Boveda test kit will tell you how much it's off so you know where it should be to keep your sticks they way you like them.

Good luck Bro!!!

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by EricF

If it is, then turn the adjustment knob a click or 2 to the right and retest. If it's not then the Boveda test kit will tell you how much it's off so you know where it should be to keep your sticks they way you like them.

Good luck Bro!!!

yes, I got the test kit. No more headaches............well, at least from this digital hygrometer