HF beads question

76GTFan · 11-15-2010, 06:39 PM

I have used these for years now with no problems. Recently I moved to a vino temp. Held at 65 for a while them started to go in the 70's. I took a hair dryer to all the beads. The RH would nit drop, and yes I have done the salt test.

My question is if all my beads are dry, wouldn't my RH have to attempt to drop to 65, or do some have to be hydrated to make it work. These beads worked fine in my cooler but need to get control of my Vino. Very frustrating.

688sonarmen · 11-15-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76GTFan

I have used these for years now with no problems. Recently I moved to a vino temp. Held at 65 for a while them started to go in the 70's. I took a hair dryer to all the beads. The RH would nit drop, and yes I have done the salt test.

My question is if all my beads are dry, wouldn't my RH have to attempt to drop to 65, or do some have to be hydrated to make it work. These beads worked fine in my cooler but need to get control of my Vino. Very frustrating.

I am having the same problem with the 65% beads I bought a month ago.

76GTFan · 11-15-2010, 07:10 PM

OK after completely drying it is now better at 68. Let's hope it stays. Does anybody else have this problem when recharging? I think I have used water about 2 times the past 10 months. Anytime I recharge, and I don't use much, I get a spike.

Sancho Fuente · 11-15-2010, 07:15 PM

I had a similar issue during the summer with the RH fluctuating from 65-70%. The temperature was set at max and not actually regulating right. I came home one day to a 72F vino that was set to 66!

I set the temp down one under the max setting at 65 and it helped to regulate the humidity alot better. I'm not sure if there is a setting on the Vino that just stops the compressor from running or not, but moving it down just 1 degree made alot of difference for me.

A question for you too, are you running a sealed or open drain at the bottom?

** There was an article about temp/RH relation but I am having hard time finding it at the moment. I'll post a link as soon as I find it.

76GTFan · 11-15-2010, 07:18 PM

I didn't see a drain. I thought the electro models didn't have them. I have the only 12 bottle they make.

Sancho Fuente · 11-15-2010, 09:52 PM

I have the 28 bottle unit which has a drain on the floor. I may be wrong about yours having a drain.

OLS · 11-16-2010, 01:31 PM

I much prefer not to chase humidity. As long as there is moisture in the beads available, I feel
like things will take care of themselves. Not an exact science, but I do not get problems with mushy
cigars or swelling and splitting, so I feel like things are alright. Meters read things, if you keep checking
and worrying, my theory is that you will go a bit nuts. Better to give the beads moisture when they
get white and smoke and enjoy. But I am a renegade. I don't freeze, I don't have a hygrometer,
and some say I am a barbarian to begin with. But if you have ever smoked my aged cigars, you will
find them no worse for wear and tear, humidity-wise. Granted we are talking about wine chillers versus
ice chests, so I may be dead wrong. But I say let things settle out and only worry if your cigars begin
to behave as sponges and are looking mis-shapen.

76GTFan · 11-16-2010, 08:16 PM

I felt that way with a igloo cooler. I agree, I just don't like to see it rising up to as high as 74. Weeks at74 would be a problem.

76GTFan · 11-16-2010, 10:22 PM

Here is my other concern. Doesn't the fan on the back cause a seal problem? It isn't air tight like a humidor or a cooler. This may be part of the problem. I did find a plug but it is small. I sealed it anyway, but I think the vent for the fan may be the problem. Anybody else run into this?

bobarian · 11-17-2010, 12:13 AM

The fan circulates air across the heat sinks for the Peltier unit, it is completely external. There is an internal fan that circulates the air inside.

11-15-2010, 06:39 PM	#1
76GTFan Full Blown Section 8 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 503 Trading: (9)	HF beads question I have used these for years now with no problems. Recently I moved to a vino temp. Held at 65 for a while them started to go in the 70's. I took a hair dryer to all the beads. The RH would nit drop, and yes I have done the salt test. My question is if all my beads are dry, wouldn't my RH have to attempt to drop to 65, or do some have to be hydrated to make it work. These beads worked fine in my cooler but need to get control of my Vino. Very frustrating.

11-15-2010, 07:10 PM	#3
76GTFan Full Blown Section 8 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 503 Trading: (9)	Re: HF beads question OK after completely drying it is now better at 68. Let's hope it stays. Does anybody else have this problem when recharging? I think I have used water about 2 times the past 10 months. Anytime I recharge, and I don't use much, I get a spike.

11-15-2010, 07:15 PM	#4
Sancho Fuente Bungle in the Jungle Join Date: Nov 2010 First Name: Tom Location: MD Posts: 89 Trading: (4)	Re: HF beads question I had a similar issue during the summer with the RH fluctuating from 65-70%. The temperature was set at max and not actually regulating right. I came home one day to a 72F vino that was set to 66! I set the temp down one under the max setting at 65 and it helped to regulate the humidity alot better. I'm not sure if there is a setting on the Vino that just stops the compressor from running or not, but moving it down just 1 degree made alot of difference for me. A question for you too, are you running a sealed or open drain at the bottom? ** There was an article about temp/RH relation but I am having hard time finding it at the moment. I'll post a link as soon as I find it. __________________ Insert clever and witty comment here.

11-15-2010, 07:18 PM	#5
76GTFan Full Blown Section 8 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 503 Trading: (9)	Re: HF beads question I didn't see a drain. I thought the electro models didn't have them. I have the only 12 bottle they make.

11-15-2010, 09:52 PM	#6
Sancho Fuente Bungle in the Jungle Join Date: Nov 2010 First Name: Tom Location: MD Posts: 89 Trading: (4)	Re: HF beads question I have the 28 bottle unit which has a drain on the floor. I may be wrong about yours having a drain. __________________ Insert clever and witty comment here.

11-16-2010, 01:31 PM	#7
OLS Suck It Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Brad Location: TN Posts: 7,912 Trading: (19)	Re: HF beads question I much prefer not to chase humidity. As long as there is moisture in the beads available, I feel like things will take care of themselves. Not an exact science, but I do not get problems with mushy cigars or swelling and splitting, so I feel like things are alright. Meters read things, if you keep checking and worrying, my theory is that you will go a bit nuts. Better to give the beads moisture when they get white and smoke and enjoy. But I am a renegade. I don't freeze, I don't have a hygrometer, and some say I am a barbarian to begin with. But if you have ever smoked my aged cigars, you will find them no worse for wear and tear, humidity-wise. Granted we are talking about wine chillers versus ice chests, so I may be dead wrong. But I say let things settle out and only worry if your cigars begin to behave as sponges and are looking mis-shapen.

11-16-2010, 08:16 PM	#8
76GTFan Full Blown Section 8 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 503 Trading: (9)	Re: HF beads question I felt that way with a igloo cooler. I agree, I just don't like to see it rising up to as high as 74. Weeks at74 would be a problem.

11-16-2010, 10:22 PM	#9
76GTFan Full Blown Section 8 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 503 Trading: (9)	Re: HF beads question Here is my other concern. Doesn't the fan on the back cause a seal problem? It isn't air tight like a humidor or a cooler. This may be part of the problem. I did find a plug but it is small. I sealed it anyway, but I think the vent for the fan may be the problem. Anybody else run into this?

11-17-2010, 12:13 AM	#10
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: HF beads question The fan circulates air across the heat sinks for the Peltier unit, it is completely external. There is an internal fan that circulates the air inside.