Differentials in humidity in a cabinet

nutcracker · 05-13-2014, 11:02 AM

So my cabinet is chugging along nicely, but never satisfied I threw in a few hygrometers at various spots over the last few weeks.

I have a large oasis"Magna" electronic humidifier and a couple of pounds of beads from Canada humidor in, and she's pretty full with boxes below and loose sticks in the drawer. There are two small auxillary fans blowing back and down from the top.

Everywhere reads 69 - 71%, except the bottom front left corner which topped the scale at 76% (which is in my mind a bit much!). I wondered if some boxes were trapping it, so shuffled the bottom shelf a bit and shifted 2 bags of beads to the area.

Thoughts

markem · 05-13-2014, 11:09 AM

Unless the cabinet is 15' tall (that's approximately 5 metres

), then I'd say it is unusual and probably indicates an area where airflow is restricted. Playing a bit of tetris to create vertical gaps for air movement may help as may putting a fan at the bottom in that location and having it blow upwards. If the differential stays after adjustment, then I'd say that you are in for rotating beads through that area in the long haul.

jhedrick83 · 05-13-2014, 11:12 AM

How are your beads spread out? Are your beads 2-way? I have a couple pounds of HCM beads spread out evenly on each shelf, and I hold rock solid 65% everywhere.

nutcracker · 05-13-2014, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhedrick83

How are your beads spread out? Are your beads 2-way? I have a couple pounds of HCM beads spread out evenly on each shelf, and I hold rock solid 65% everywhere.

A bit random I think - wherever I could find a spot some distance form the humidifier. I tried to have some on each shelf. The drawer is happiness for some reason.

the nub · 05-13-2014, 11:31 AM

for a slim vertical style cabinet this is not unusual. Humid air rises but in a cabinet where there are horizontal divisions (i.e. shelves and boxes), you will have stratification where air gets trapped. I'm guessing your Oasis is at the bottom of your humi which would indicate trapping at that level.

First thing I would do would be to remove any cigars from that level until you get it sorted out.

Second thing would be to put beads on every level if you haven't done so as this will keep those shelves stable.

Third, since you have active airflow, I would ensure you have pathways at each level where airflow can pass.

05-13-2014, 11:02 AM	#1
nutcracker Shameless epicurian Join Date: Apr 2014 First Name: Neil Location: Winnipeg, Canada - Home of the Jets! Posts: 1,631 Trading: (26)	Differentials in humidity in a cabinet So my cabinet is chugging along nicely, but never satisfied I threw in a few hygrometers at various spots over the last few weeks. I have a large oasis"Magna" electronic humidifier and a couple of pounds of beads from Canada humidor in, and she's pretty full with boxes below and loose sticks in the drawer. There are two small auxillary fans blowing back and down from the top. Everywhere reads 69 - 71%, except the bottom front left corner which topped the scale at 76% (which is in my mind a bit much!). I wondered if some boxes were trapping it, so shuffled the bottom shelf a bit and shifted 2 bags of beads to the area. Thoughts

05-13-2014, 11:09 AM	#2
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,622 Trading: (47)	Re: Differentials in humidity in a cabinet Unless the cabinet is 15' tall (that's approximately 5 metres ), then I'd say it is unusual and probably indicates an area where airflow is restricted. Playing a bit of tetris to create vertical gaps for air movement may help as may putting a fan at the bottom in that location and having it blow upwards. If the differential stays after adjustment, then I'd say that you are in for rotating beads through that area in the long haul. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

05-13-2014, 11:12 AM	#3
jhedrick83 GO VOLS! Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Jesse Location: Knoxville Posts: 402 Trading: (0)	Re: Differentials in humidity in a cabinet How are your beads spread out? Are your beads 2-way? I have a couple pounds of HCM beads spread out evenly on each shelf, and I hold rock solid 65% everywhere.

05-13-2014, 11:31 AM	#5
the nub Papa Chino Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nanaimo, BC Posts: 320 Trading: (2)	Re: Differentials in humidity in a cabinet for a slim vertical style cabinet this is not unusual. Humid air rises but in a cabinet where there are horizontal divisions (i.e. shelves and boxes), you will have stratification where air gets trapped. I'm guessing your Oasis is at the bottom of your humi which would indicate trapping at that level. First thing I would do would be to remove any cigars from that level until you get it sorted out. Second thing would be to put beads on every level if you haven't done so as this will keep those shelves stable. Third, since you have active airflow, I would ensure you have pathways at each level where airflow can pass.