Vinotemp Runs Constantly

1) You have a low end product from some Chinese sweat shop. Based solely on periodic, competitive bids, Vinotemp will change providers routinely. (and we all know the level of quality control China enforces.) Any number of "brand names" are produced by the same manufacturers of small appliances and modified dorm refrigerators.

2) Thermoelectric cooling is based on TD (temperature differential) and, therefore, by definition will function differently depending upon the environment in which it's placed). As temperatures - and the humidity levels RELATIVE to that temperature vary, so will the interior conditions.

Cheap equipment, combined with inappropriate "technolgy" = crap shoot. The nature of mechanical systems and Mother Nature are such that there are no exact answers to performance issues, absent extensive analysis in a controlled environment, combined with extensive knowledge of the Laws of Physics. Obvioulsy such isn't feasible / practical for most people.

3) Whenever "warm meets cool" there will be condensation. More than likely, the enclosure is not airtight, thus the excess rH is being manifested by excess condensation.

4) Thermoelectric is totally inappropriate "technology" for cigar storage. Neither temperature, nor rH can be accurately controlled other than bychance.

Even and active, compressor-driven, Vinotemp (or whatever marketing label any other importer may apply) "humidor" remains an under-engineered, questionably effective, dorm refrigerator.

5) Any "off the shelf", inexpensive hygrometer will require re-calibration on a regular (2 - 3 weeks) in order to maintain any semblance of accuracy. The only means by which to accurately monitor RELATIVE humidity is with a quality sling psychrometer.

6) I have a small collection of stogies .... passively stored in a nice box with a sponge @ ~ 72 degrees (household temp). Even if I forget to wet the reservoir for a week or 2, the cigars have always come back and I've not seen a single beetles in the past 10 years.

Apologies for any typos .... Long ashes to everyone!

Marcus