Air Circulation Question

sevans105 · 10-14-2011, 10:20 AM

Hey guys...trying to figure out some humidification issues/challenges. I've got this Humidor

And I'm having trouble with consistent humidification from Top to Bottom. Either the bottom is just right and the top is low, or the top is right and the bottom is way high. I've got a HYDRA LG system in the bottom and beads placed on several of the shelves. I'm thinking I might need some better air movement throughout the system to have it be more uniform. Thoughts, comments, ideas are welcome. Wise cracks and threats are not so welcome, but will be accepted as well.

Thanks!

Blak Smyth · 10-14-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevans105

Wise cracks and threats are not so welcome, but will be accepted as well.

Thanks!

Maybe it is off because you left your inventory clip board inside?

sevans105 · 10-14-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

Maybe it is off because you left your inventory clip board inside?

(not so) Wise crack - 1
Helpful solutions - 0

This will be an ongoing tally, I'm sure.

10-14-2011, 10:36 AM

Moist air is heavier, and that's a tall, narrow box of humid air. You need to get some fans to help move the dry air down and moist air up. It sounds like you have enough gear to get the RH right, just move some air!

I just watched a video on your Hydra (since I'm not familiar with it); just add the extra fan kit, and have it blow from the top down (assuming you have the hydra on the bottom). Make sure it has an unobstructed air path if possible.

sevans105 · 10-14-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonely Raven

Moist air is heavier, and that's a tall, narrow box of humid air. You need to get some fans to help move the dry air down and moist air up. It sounds like you have enough gear to get the RH right, just move some air!

I just watched a video on your Hydra (since I'm not familiar with it); just add the extra fan kit, and have it blow from the top down (assuming you have the hydra on the bottom). Make sure it has an unobstructed air path if possible.

(not so) wise cracks - 1
Helpful Solutions - 1

Thanks Raven....I'll check out the add on kit. I've heard of guys using Oust fans too. Anyone have good/bad to say about those?

T.G · 10-14-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonely Raven

Moist air is heavier,

Nope. Humid air is actually lighter than dry air.

IIRC, Hydras have built in connectors for auxiliary fans, you can pick them up from cigars international under the humi-care brand name. Same exact humidifiers, just different color plastic.

Oust fans were discontinued years ago, you'll probably have to hunt to find them. I've heard mixed reviews on them, since they aren't very powerful nor move a lot of air, it kind of depends on the size of the humidor / cooler and how blocked the airflow is.

You could also wire up a few computer case fans to a power supply with an external timer and place them in the humidor, although, with the hydra having power ports, this seems a bit unnecessary.

sevans105 · 10-14-2011, 11:05 AM

Yeah....should have just done this and saved the thread...thanks for the info! Always good to learn...oh and also Thanks to Blak Smyth for absolutely nothing.

Hydra 'LG' Electronic Humidifier Fan
FAN ONLY
In-Stock
M-HYDRA-LG-FAN $9.95 2 $19.90

Hydra 'LG' Electronic Humidifier Fan Kit
FAN KIT
In-Stock
M-HYDRA-LG-KIT $13.95 1 $13.95

Ordered and on the way.

CigarNut · 10-14-2011, 11:31 AM

I use Hydras with the fan kits (all three fans) to condition my beads. The fans can be a little noisy but they work OK. The one catch is that the fans can only be a short distance away from the main unit (I think the limit is 12-18 inches). They are small fans, so that is why I use all three. You also need to attach (glue/tape) the fan's to something otherwise they will not stay put.

An alternative that requires a little more maintenance but might be easier to deal with (no cables) is a battery operated fan. I use these too. You can get an RV refrigerator fan like this one:

They are inexpensive (<$10) but you do have to change the batteries.

One final note -- I find that the RH adjustment on the Hydra sucks. They are not easy to adjust and any adjustment does not seem hold for very long. I plan to replace min Hydra's with something better one of these days.

10-14-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

Nope. Humid air is actually lighter than dry air.

I thought that, but it didn't sound right to me.

Edit to add: I looked it up, you are correct.

---------------------------------------

The amount of water vapor in the air also effects the density. Water vapor is a relatively light gas when compared to diatomic Oxygen and diatomic Nitrogen. Thus, when water vapor increases, the amount of Oxygen and Nitrogen decrease per unit volume and thus density decreases because mass is decreasing.

bobarian · 10-14-2011, 12:14 PM

Consistent Rh from top to bottom is not as important as one might think. What is important is that your cigars smoke as you like them. Your not smoking air, take some readings in various boxes in different places. The Rh inside your boxes is whats important. If your top to bottom Rh varies by less than 10% you should be fine. I rarely even look at my hygrometers any more, one Vino and a couple of coolers dont even have working hygrometers. I only use 65% Heartfelt beads and things have been fine for 4 years.

10-14-2011, 10:20 AM	#1
sevans105 Alpha Zombie Wolf "Sceve" Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Scott Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 1,786 Trading: (30)	Air Circulation Question Hey guys...trying to figure out some humidification issues/challenges. I've got this Humidor And I'm having trouble with consistent humidification from Top to Bottom. Either the bottom is just right and the top is low, or the top is right and the bottom is way high. I've got a HYDRA LG system in the bottom and beads placed on several of the shelves. I'm thinking I might need some better air movement throughout the system to have it be more uniform. Thoughts, comments, ideas are welcome. Wise cracks and threats are not so welcome, but will be accepted as well. Thanks! __________________

10-14-2011, 10:36 AM	#4
Lonely Raven Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Air Circulation Question Moist air is heavier, and that's a tall, narrow box of humid air. You need to get some fans to help move the dry air down and moist air up. It sounds like you have enough gear to get the RH right, just move some air! I just watched a video on your Hydra (since I'm not familiar with it); just add the extra fan kit, and have it blow from the top down (assuming you have the hydra on the bottom). Make sure it has an unobstructed air path if possible. Last edited by Lonely Raven; 10-14-2011 at 10:42 AM.

10-14-2011, 11:05 AM	#7
sevans105 Alpha Zombie Wolf "Sceve" Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Scott Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 1,786 Trading: (30)	Re: Air Circulation Question Yeah....should have just done this and saved the thread...thanks for the info! Always good to learn...oh and also Thanks to Blak Smyth for absolutely nothing. Hydra 'LG' Electronic Humidifier Fan FAN ONLY In-Stock M-HYDRA-LG-FAN $9.95 2 $19.90 Hydra 'LG' Electronic Humidifier Fan Kit FAN KIT In-Stock M-HYDRA-LG-KIT $13.95 1 $13.95 Ordered and on the way. __________________

10-14-2011, 11:31 AM	#8
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Air Circulation Question I use Hydras with the fan kits (all three fans) to condition my beads. The fans can be a little noisy but they work OK. The one catch is that the fans can only be a short distance away from the main unit (I think the limit is 12-18 inches). They are small fans, so that is why I use all three. You also need to attach (glue/tape) the fan's to something otherwise they will not stay put. An alternative that requires a little more maintenance but might be easier to deal with (no cables) is a battery operated fan. I use these too. You can get an RV refrigerator fan like this one: They are inexpensive (<$10) but you do have to change the batteries. One final note -- I find that the RH adjustment on the Hydra sucks. They are not easy to adjust and any adjustment does not seem hold for very long. I plan to replace min Hydra's with something better one of these days. __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

10-14-2011, 12:14 PM	#10
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: Air Circulation Question Consistent Rh from top to bottom is not as important as one might think. What is important is that your cigars smoke as you like them. Your not smoking air, take some readings in various boxes in different places. The Rh inside your boxes is whats important. If your top to bottom Rh varies by less than 10% you should be fine. I rarely even look at my hygrometers any more, one Vino and a couple of coolers dont even have working hygrometers. I only use 65% Heartfelt beads and things have been fine for 4 years.