Vinotemp Humidity problem !! Neep help

[Mirrorlure7m]

I need some help. In my Vinotemp 28bottle unit I have 2 pounds of 70%RH Heartfelt beads in the mesh bags they sell and also have 2 oust fans. I put 1 pound of the beads all the way on the botte and a oust fan there pointing it upwards. And I put a hygrometer down there also it is ready 73 to 75% RH with 68 Degree temps . Well on the top I also put 1 pound of the beads with the oust fan and it reads 67 to 69% RH with a 70degree temp. on the right side of the vinotemp. Then on the left side It reads 66 percent RH steady with 70 degree temp. I have the beads at the top of the unit on the right hand side. And the beads on the bottom in the center . I have 20 boxes in the unit. What should I do ? I want to have it at 70 RH . Should I try drying out the beads some ? If I need to dry them out how do I do that safely without hurting them for the long term ?? Please help me out here experts.

[acarr]

I would check your hygrometers first. Then you might consider drying them out after you are sure they are calibrated correctly. In mine, I just use the fan that came in the unit. It always runs and does a sufficient job. For humidification, I just put a glass of distilled water in there, the fan blows over it and it has held between 66 and 68 for about 4 months now and only adding water about 2 times. It works like a charm.

[Mirrorlure7m]

I also noticed some of the beads are cracked and broken when they came in the mail not sure if that is normal ? But I have been trying to call Dave over at Heartfelt to check into this. But he must be busy .

[md4958]

I would check your hygrometers first. Then you might consider drying them out after you are sure they are calibrated correctly. .

:tpd:

Try changing the batteries in your hygros, and then re-calibrating... you might be suprised at how off they were.

If thats not the problem it might be that your sticks are still "wet" from purchase. How long have you had them? I notice a 3-4% spike in my RH when I add a fresh box to my Vino.

Also, 70% might be a tad high for your beads. You might want to consider 65% RH beads... This way it will keep you below that 70% mark in the Florida summer humidity. Just my :2

[md4958]

I also noticed some of the beads are cracked and broken when they came in the mail not sure if that is normal ? But I have been trying to call Dave over at Heartfelt to check into this. But he must be busy .

cracked beads shoudl still work fine

[Mirrorlure7m]

:tpd:

Try changing the batteries in your hygros, and then re-calibrating... you might be suprised at how off they were.

If thats not the problem it might be that your sticks are still "wet" from purchase. How long have you had them? I notice a 3-4% spike in my RH when I add a fresh box to my Vino.

Also, 70% might be a tad high for your beads. You might want to consider 65% RH beads... This way it will keep you below that 70% mark in the Florida summer humidity. Just my :2

The batteries are new . They are digital so I am not sure how to calibrate a digital . I added about 20 boxes to the Vinotemp about 5 or 6 days ago . So I am not sure if it just needs time to stabilize ?

[Mirrorlure7m]

cracked beads shoudl still work fine

I was not aware they still work. Well that is a learning lesson. Thanks

[acarr]

What kind of hygrometer is it?

[md4958]

The batteries are new . They are digital so I am not sure how to calibrate a digital . I added about 20 boxes to the Vinotemp about 5 or 6 days ago . So I am not sure if it just needs time to stabilize ?

are the 20 boxes fresh from purchase?? if so, thats your culprit right there... however, being that one of your hygros is lower than the rest is suspicious too...

to calibrate you need to do the salt test (search: salt test), or get yourself one of the Bovieda Calibration packs (about $3.00 and SOOOOO worth it) Both should give you readings of 75% RH, if not, whatever the difference is, note it and youre calibrated.

The salt test is important so you know what your starting point is

[Mirrorlure7m]

are the 20 boxes fresh from purchase?? if so, thats your culprit right there... however, being that one of your hygros is lower than the rest is suspicious too...

to calibrate you need to do the salt test (search: salt test), or get yourself one of the Bovieda Calibration packs (about $3.00 and SOOOOO worth it) Both should give you readings of 75% RH, if not, whatever the difference is, note it and youre calibrated.

The salt test is important so you know what your starting point is
Should I stick a plastic bag with the calibration kit and hygrometer in the vinotemp since the tempature in the Vinotemp is alot lower then the air in my house?

[Mirrorlure7m]

What kind of hygrometer is it?

I have three different hygrometers in the vino. I stuck them next to each other on the bottom and they all said 74%RH and 68 degrees. Then stuck them almost to the top of the unit and they said 67% RH and 70 degrees so they are all reading the same. I just dont know why I am having such large jumps on the bottom of the unit.

[md4958]

Should I stick a plastic bag with the calibration kit and hygrometer in the vinotemp since the tempature in the Vinotemp is alot lower then the air in my house?

it should be calibrated at room temprature... your Vino shouldnt be lower than 60 degrees

[md4958]

I have three different hygrometers in the vino. I stuck them next to each other on the bottom and they all said 74%RH and 68 degrees. Then stuck them almost to the top of the unit and they said 67% RH and 70 degrees so they are all reading the same. I just dont know why I am having such large jumps on the bottom of the unit.

humidity is heavier than air, and will sink... its normal.

try pointing one of your oust fans slightly upwards to circulate the air

[Mirrorlure7m]

humidity is heavier than air, and will sink... its normal.

try pointing one of your oust fans slightly upwards to circulate the air

I have done that the bottom oust fan is pointed up ..

[Mirrorlure7m]

I have to head to work I will check back here when I get home later to see if there is anymore updates.

[skullnrose]

After adding that many boxes give it time to stabilize. Also try checking the humidity inside an empty cigar box in different locations inside the vinotemp.

[bobarian]

This really is not that big a deal. You are over obsessing. Dry out the beads at the bottom a bit(maybe 50/50). Check the Hi/Lo Rh over a 24hour period. If the swing is 6-8% you will be fine. I prefer my smokes at 65% but that is a personal choice. Put a hygrometer inside a closed box and you will get a better idea of the actual Rh of you sticks. The Rh of the air inside the Vino will experience swings of up to 10% depending on the cycling of the unit. :2

[scooter]

This really is not that big a deal. You are over obsessing. Dry out the beads at the bottom a bit(maybe 50/50). Check the Hi/Lo Rh over a 24hour period. If the swing is 6-8% you will be fine. I prefer my smokes at 65% but that is a personal choice. Put a hygrometer inside a closed box and you will get a better idea of the actual Rh of you sticks. The Rh of the air inside the Vino will experience swings of up to 10% depending on the cycling of the unit. :2

:tpd: He is correct.

I use 2 lbs of the same beads you are using and have not had a problem as it will stabilize out. Mine runs just under 70% and the cigars burn just fine. A lot of people like theirs at the 65% as their personal preference.

[NCRadioMan]

humidity is heavier than air, and will sink

Just a slight correction. Humidity rises. Humid air is air with a lot of water vapour. Water vapour is a gas that is lighter than air so humid air is lighter than dry air. It might feel heavier but it isnt.

[Mirrorlure7m]

:tpd: He is correct.

I use 2 lbs of the same beads you are using and have not had a problem as it will stabilize out. Mine runs just under 70% and the cigars burn just fine. A lot of people like theirs at the 65% as their personal preference.

This is the odd part I dried out the beads both sets last night so I going to give it time to stabilze and see where they are at when I get home later. This morning they where at 76% RH on the bottom which is higher then it was before I dried the beads.

[borndead1]

I prefer my cigars closer to 60% than 70%. I shoot for 62-65%. If you can get into the mid 60s, your cigars will be fine, they will not dry out, and will burn and draw better than they will at 70% or more. Just my :2

[G G]

I prefer my cigars closer to 60% than 70%. I shoot for 62-65%. If you can get into the mid 60s, your cigars will be fine, they will not dry out, and will burn and draw better than they will at 70% or more. Just my :2
:tpd:I have a vino and my humidity is a few points diff from the top and bottom. I don't worry about it.:tu

[goalie204]

I obsessed and went crazy with humidity when i just started, now i dont care :) My hygros are a bit different, this is definitely not an exact science, best advice i was ever given about it was "relax" - i did, and now all is well :)

[md4958]

Just a slight correction. Humidity rises. Humid air is air with a lot of water vapour. Water vapour is a gas that is lighter than air so humid air is lighter than dry air. It might feel heavier but it isnt.

I stand corrected.

[Mirrorlure7m]

I prefer my cigars closer to 60% than 70%. I shoot for 62-65%. If you can get into the mid 60s, your cigars will be fine, they will not dry out, and will burn and draw better than they will at 70% or more. Just my :2

Yes the cigars that are in my vinotemp are going to be aged and put away for awhile. That is why I am trying to have the humidity at 70%RH. These are not my everyday cigars.

[bobarian]

I obsessed and went crazy with humidity when i just started, now i dont care :) My hygros are a bit different, this is definitely not an exact science, best advice i was ever given about it was "relax" - i did, and now all is well :)

:tpd: Give that man a prize! Cigars are for smoking and collecting, not for stressing. There are many differing views on long term(10yrs+). To my understanding most Europeans prefer a higher Rh whereas in Hong Kong several major collectors keep their stuff at closer to 50 degrees and 50% rh. IMHO stability is more important than the exact storage conditions. :2

[ucla695]

I wouldn't sweat it. Give the beads a little time to do their thing. :)

[rizzle]

I have 2 lbs of 65% beads in mine and was having a hard time getting the RH down there. I dropped the temp in the vino by a few degrees and now she's rock solid at 65%. Try that.

[Mirrorlure7m]

I have 2 lbs of 65% beads in mine and was having a hard time getting the RH down there. I dropped the temp in the vino by a few degrees and now she's rock solid at 65%. Try that.

So what did you put the tempature to on the vinotemp ? What does the lights say on the top ?

[rizzle]

So what did you put the tempature to on the vinotemp ? What does the lights say on the top ?

Display reads 63, my hygro's say 65-66. Seems like I also remember someone a while back saying the temp reading on their unit wasn't right either. Give it a shot and see.

[Mirrorlure7m]

Well I received a Calibration Kit from Heartfelt for my hygrometers. And they are dead on. They are perfect. My room tempature is at 77 degrees and around 40% RH if this helps any As of now I have the Vinotemp set to 66 degrees which is the highest temp setting it can be set to . And my Humidty is at 74% on the bottom and 69 degrees ..And 65 % humidity and 72 degrees at the top of the unit. I have dried the 1 pound bag of 70% RH beads out on the bottom of the unit and then dried out the 1 pound of 70% RH beads I have on the top of the unit and just added a little bit of distilled water to the beads at the top. So now what should I do ? Becuase it is 10 % RH difference from the bottom to the top.

[RonC]

a Johnson temperature controller will help. setting the temp at 70 will make the unit run less, and your relative humidity will drop a few % as the temp rises 2 or 3 degrees. Next step would be a fan to circulate the air.

[bobarian]

Well I received a Calibration Kit from Heartfelt for my hygrometers. And they are dead on. They are perfect. My room tempature is at 77 degrees and around 40% RH if this helps any As of now I have the Vinotemp set to 66 degrees which is the highest temp setting it can be set to . And my Humidty is at 74% on the bottom and 69 degrees ..And 65 % humidity and 72 degrees at the top of the unit. I have dried the 1 pound bag of 70% RH beads out on the bottom of the unit and then dried out the 1 pound of 70% RH beads I have on the top of the unit and just added a little bit of distilled water to the beads at the top. So now what should I do ? Becuase it is 10 % RH difference from the bottom to the top.

Relax and have a smoke. Things are fine. :2

[Mirrorlure7m]

a Johnson temperature controller will help. setting the temp at 70 will make the unit run less, and your relative humidity will drop a few % as the temp rises 2 or 3 degrees. Next step would be a fan to circulate the air.

Can you point me in the right direction for the Johnson Temperature Controller please. I have 2 oust fans in the Vinotemp now. One on bottom pointing up and the other on top pointing towards the front of the unit.

[ChasDen]

So now what should I do ?


Give up :tu

Not trying to be a smart ass, but you have a wine cooler not a $2500 piece of high tech refrigeration equipment. If you are going to obsess until every part of the unit reads exactly the same every time you look into it you are setting yourself up for sleepless nights and failure.

I have 2 units, 2 brands and no matter what I have done they fluctuate slightly. Many others here are in the same boat and I believe the goal is to get it as stable as possible with the least effort and call it success. The key most of us are looking for is stability inside boxes and trays. If the RH and temp inside a box or tray in the unit only moves around a point or 2 in a 24 hour period, that is what I am looking for. Try a 48 hour test inside a box of cigars inside the unit and see what the change is inside the box.

Don't over think this bro, your going to burst a blood vessel.

Chas

[dbreazeale]

If all else fails...smoke faster! :ss

[Mirrorlure7m]

a Johnson temperature controller will help. setting the temp at 70 will make the unit run less, and your relative humidity will drop a few % as the temp rises 2 or 3 degrees. Next step would be a fan to circulate the air.


Wow ! RonC sure is a good guy I gave him a call regarding this and we are going to try some stuff out to see if we can get it figured out to where the unit has better air circulation with all my cigar boxes in it. I will post some pics and show everyone the process of this as we do things. So that forum thread can help someone else with a Vinotemp if they are having the same issue.

[Mirrorlure7m]

Just a update I will my fan setup from Cigar Solutions will be here tommorrow and I will get it all installed this weekend hopefully so when it is setup I will post some pics of the setup . Hopefully this post can help others with the same problem.

[big a]

Well I had this issue when i was using 2 different types of beads. I am going with only scotts beads now and ever since the switch its been holding right where i want it to.