If it ain't broke...

I'm looking for some input on a situation with my humi. A few months ago I won a "chancellor" humidor on cbid. I seasoned and got everything just about the way I want it. I currently have the Hydra LG with additional fans along with 24oz of shilala beads in the cabinet. My problem is that I noticed the hydra was needing to be refilled way more often than it should. So I decided to put foam weather stripping around the door to get a better seal and keep some of the moisture from leaking out. This is when the humidity started spiking, even with the hydra off the humidity was around 75%. Does anyone have any idea why this would happen? I have since removed the weather stripping and the humidity has dropped back down. I just don't understand why it would do this, is the cabinet better off being "leaky"? Any input would be greatly appreciated

[Bubba - NJ]

• Salt test your hygrometer
  
  Add more dry beads , maybe a half pound per shelf
  
  Is the door warped ?
  
  Did the cabinet come with weather stripping around the door frame ?

The door to my Sentinel cabinet was slightly warped so I added a tension latch at the top to hold the door closed where it was loose .

[Brutus2600]

From what I understand, having an active humidification device (Hydra LG) with the Shilala beads really messes with your RH.

The weatherstripping probably helped the loss of humidity, but now your beads aren't able to stablize the environment because of the Hydra.

At least that's what I think is happening from what I've read around here lol.

Originally Posted by Bubba - NJ

• Salt test your hygrometer
  
  Add more dry beads , maybe a half pound per shelf
  
  Is the door warped ?
  
  Did the cabinet come with weather stripping around the door frame ?

The door to my Sentinel cabinet was slightly warped so I added a tension latch at the top to hold the door closed where it was loose .

My hygrometers have been tested recently and are accurate. The door isn't warped and the cabinet didn't come with any weather stripping, I just thought it seemed a like it was leaking humidity because the active humidifier needed refilling so often.

Originally Posted by Brutus2600

From what I understand, having an active humidification device (Hydra LG) with the Shilala beads really messes with your RH.

The weatherstripping probably helped the loss of humidity, but now your beads aren't able to stablize the environment because of the Hydra.

At least that's what I think is happening from what I've read around here lol.

The current seller of the shilala beads said it should be just fine, and I know there are plenty of other guys on here using active humidification along with beads. Maybe some other folks can chime in and help me figure out why this would happen

[CigarNut]

Using active humidification with the HCM (Shilala) Beads is fine, You have to work a little harder to achieve equilibrium but when equibrium is reached it works perfectly.

My guess is that the Hydra's were pumping out more moisture due to the leaky seal and once you sealed the door everything jumped. The beads now may be too high -- you will need to verify that and possibly reduce the RH of the beads.

I would reduce the RH setting on the Hydra and reseal the door and start over with your sealed humidor.

Awesome, I'll give it a shot, thanks a million!