New Project : Resurrecting The Display Humi [Archive]

View Full Version : New Project : Resurrecting The Display Humi

shilala

10-24-2011, 12:44 PM

I finally started reworking my big old display humi.
I got this thing a few years ago from Quaker Steak and Lube in Cranberry, PA. That's a Pittsburgh suburb. I brought it home, added fans, four of those little oasis humidifiers, and tons of cold cathode light tubes. Everything was controlled by an awesome control center that looked like a stack of cigar boxes. Lift the lid and there were all the control switches for everything.
The cold cathodes sucked. They were flaky and didn't like to work, or half the tube lit, or they didn't work at all. The humidifiers needed filling constantly cause it leaked like a sieve.
So I picked up an Avallo Accumonitor system and a big bunch of t5 flourescents, a plug bar and tons of silicone. So far I just tore her apart and sealed her up. Today I'm going to stain the fan bar so it matches the humi and mount the plug bar and try to figure out where I'll hide the computer power supply that powers the fans.

Here's a pic of the old girl before the tear down...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/cbbd2a95.jpg

and here's a pic as she sits now...
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/47adfc4b.jpg

I'll post updates as she goes. If you guys want detailed pics on the fans and lights and stuff, I'll show you how I did that stuff, too. :tu

deadrise

10-24-2011, 12:53 PM

very cool good luck with the leaks

irratebass

10-24-2011, 01:12 PM

This looks nice Scott, looking forward to the updates.

Remo

10-24-2011, 01:13 PM

Very cool Scott, good luck.

shilala

10-24-2011, 01:19 PM

I'm excited about seeing her all slap full up of cigars. I'm going to try to do some sort of inventory when I fill her up, just so I can guage how insane I am.

Blak Smyth

10-24-2011, 01:20 PM

That will be one badass cabinet!
Good luck, keep us posted with pics!

kelmac07

10-24-2011, 01:58 PM

Here we go. :tu

Apoco

10-24-2011, 02:58 PM

Gonna go ahead and subscribe to this one. Best of luck! :tu
Posted via Mobile Device

N2 GOLD

10-24-2011, 03:16 PM

& It begins... :tu

Lanks85

10-24-2011, 03:30 PM

Stoked to see how this project comes along. She's a beaut! :tu

Boz

10-24-2011, 04:17 PM

Wow very cool Scott. I cant wait to see it all filled up. :tu

MrClean

10-24-2011, 07:06 PM

Nice project Scott, can't wait to see the progress!

SteelCityBoy

10-25-2011, 05:40 AM

longknocker

10-25-2011, 05:46 AM

Looking Good, Brother!:tu Thanks For The Pics! :)

shilala

10-25-2011, 07:26 AM

Scott, I had no idea you could pick up a humi from a Quaker Steak and Lube! First of all, I love that place and there are none out here neary Philly, second of all I didn't think they even sold cigars! Either way that is a awesome pick up and I would love to see how it progresses! I am in the market for a nice sized humi myself so PLEASE keep me posted if you see anything more out that way.

Even though you are having to put some work into that thing it should be well worth it in the end! :tu
I found this thing on Craigslist a few years ago, Ken. It had been in the Quaker Steak and Lube when they opened, along with a great big cigar locker. They moved away from that idea and had the humi and locker in storage. I went and took a look and dragged the humi home. I lived about an hour and a half northeast of Pittsburgh at that time.
You should keep an eye on Craigslist. Stuff like this shows up on there a lot. :tu

Lonely Raven

10-25-2011, 08:01 AM

Very cool project! I'm looking forward to what you do with it!

Smokin Gator

10-25-2011, 08:07 AM

I loved her before and look forward to the updates on the update!

NeuRon

10-25-2011, 08:13 AM

nice work scott!

hscmit

10-25-2011, 12:06 PM

nice project

irratebass

10-25-2011, 01:27 PM

You should keep an eye on Craigslist. Stuff like this shows up on there a lot. :tu

Not in my area :confused:

shilala

10-25-2011, 02:09 PM

I had to take the fan bar down and take it apart to stain it.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/685be77b.jpg

Back where she goes...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/57e17c71.jpg

Now the plug bar. You can see where I caulked all the seams in the humi, they aren't quite set up yet.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/8e34e07d.jpg

Mounted, caulked and complete.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/780ecc0f.jpg

Blak Smyth

10-25-2011, 02:14 PM

Looks good Scott!
Can't wait to see this thing packed full!!!

Boz

10-25-2011, 02:20 PM

Lookin good Scott. I'm jealous, I wish I had a place in my house for something like that.

rizzle

10-25-2011, 02:26 PM

Cool. Haven't seen a shilala project in a while.

shilala

10-25-2011, 02:26 PM

This is the control box for the humi that I mentioned earlier. It's made from a stack of Padron x000 series boxes. It can control eight devices. With this incarnation, I'll just leave it on top of the humi where no one can see it. I just need it to power the fans.
In the future, if placement of the humi allows, I can add low voltage relays to switch the 120v circuit for the lights.

The pile of boxes...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/b412d3f8.jpg

Surprise!!!

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/ddae5b5b.jpg

The rocker switches light up. Blue led's. I love blue lights.
The cigars are real, I added them to bring a little artistic authenticism to the whole deal. I used the center logo area of a box lid for the cutout where the led's are mounted. That was just one more thing to bump it up a notch.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/c63c56c8.jpg

Guts.
The control panel is powered by a low-profile psu that you find in little micro-desktop computers and HTPC's. It cranks out a good mess of juice. It used to drive 4 humidifiers, 3 fans and 14 or 16 cold cathode tubes.
The box has three sections, actually. The top is the control section, the center houses the psu and guts, then the very bottom box is open but seperated from the rest. It serves to draw air for the PSU.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/becc34ae.jpg

Looking at the back you can see the bottom section drill holes that supply the air for the psu. Also you can see all the wires that go out to serve whatever they're busy with.
Right now this whole setup is in clamps. I had to pull it apart to work on it some months ago and never finished repairing it. I took the time to do that today. Should have gotten a picture of it all glued up in the clamps.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/259f5be7.jpg

WittyUserName

10-25-2011, 02:28 PM

Nice looking Scott. Thanks for posting photos, keep up the good work.

shilala

10-25-2011, 02:32 PM

Lastly, I started mounting the new t5 flourescents. There is a big long one up top in the storage section, I think it's 33". Under each shelf will be a 23". I only mounted one under-shelf light and it was time to give up, we're taking the MIL and FIL to dinner. I got lucky though. Weeze is running late, so I'm gonna go sneak a nap. :D

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/aaa57fd5.jpg

Dave128

10-25-2011, 02:32 PM

Lookin' great, Scott. Keep up the good work.

Blak Smyth

10-25-2011, 02:34 PM

Scott that control box is the coolest thing I have ever seen!!!
That is an amazing setup brother!

irratebass

10-25-2011, 02:35 PM

Very handy you are Scott

longknocker

10-25-2011, 02:38 PM

Excellent Job, Scott!:D :tu

Mikess

10-25-2011, 02:44 PM

That control box is awesome, I will have to create something similar.

SteelCityBoy

10-25-2011, 02:46 PM

I found this thing on Craigslist a few years ago, Ken. It had been in the Quaker Steak and Lube when they opened, along with a great big cigar locker. They moved away from that idea and had the humi and locker in storage. I went and took a look and dragged the humi home. I lived about an hour and a half northeast of Pittsburgh at that time.
You should keep an eye on Craigslist. Stuff like this shows up on there a lot. :tu

I will definately check it out. For some reason I didn't even think of craigslist. I am really just now starting to really need something bigger. I don't exactly need a humi that large but my 150 count desktop is busting at the gills right now and I want something a bit nicer to properly display my cigars. Thanks for the info and looking forward to seeing how the project turns out.

WittyUserName

10-25-2011, 02:47 PM

Very handy you are Scott

Yoda you are?

shilala

11-01-2011, 02:25 PM

I had to add an extra plug bar inside the humi to handle all the lights and leave the bottom section uncluttered.
I finished all the lighting and shelving and set to installing the new Avallo Accumonitor system. Before mounting all the parts and pieces, I put it all together for a dry run. The fan on the resevoir didn't run, so I double checked everything (which is foolproof) and it was all fine. I unplugged it all and decided to install a component at a time to see where the problem was, hoping it might bump the fan as I reconnected things and that's when I smelled the smoke. I look over and the control panel has smoke rolling out of the button holes. Surprisingly I didn't get pissed, just disappointed. I've been real excited about this Accumonitor system and now I have to email Ron and return it and wait for a new one.
Oh well, it happens. It's just my turn in the barrell.
I love the Accumonitor setup, by the way. It looks awesome, and it's sexy as hell. I can't wait to get her all up and running.
While I wait, I'll go back to using the gob of Hydras I have laying around.
I'm going to go down and clean up my area, then I'll start cleaning and reinstalling all the glass. Once that's done, I'm going to start emptying coolers and filling the humi.
I have about 20 pounds of beads all conditioned and ready to go. They're new stuff I recently developed, little barrel shaped things. I'll be able to dump the whole bucket right in the bottom on my humidor, it'll be awesome.

The extra plug bar...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/97f396e1.jpg

As she stands right now, all lit up...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/4e975840.jpg

The new beads...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/80af0a0e.jpg

kickerb

11-01-2011, 02:27 PM

new beads...?

Blak Smyth

11-01-2011, 02:30 PM

They look like pencil erasers!!!
Looks good so far, can't wait to see it full.
Too bad about the system not working!

new beads...?

You just blew our minds Scott!

Volusianator

11-01-2011, 02:33 PM

I've built a lot of humidors, I've seen a LOT of cool humidors, I've seen lots of different control units. Scott, this is by far the most phucking cool control unit I've ever seen! How damn creative are you, very nicely played!

This is the control box for the humi that I mentioned earlier. It's made from a stack of Padron x000 series boxes. It can control eight devices. With this incarnation, I'll just leave it on top of the humi where no one can see it. I just need it to power the fans.
In the future, if placement of the humi allows, I can add low voltage relays to switch the 120v circuit for the lights.

The pile of boxes...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/b412d3f8.jpg

Surprise!!!

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/ddae5b5b.jpg

The rocker switches light up. Blue led's. I love blue lights.
The cigars are real, I added them to bring a little artistic authenticism to the whole deal. I used the center logo area of a box lid for the cutout where the led's are mounted. That was just one more thing to bump it up a notch.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/c63c56c8.jpg

Guts.
The control panel is powered by a low-profile psu that you find in little micro-desktop computers and HTPC's. It cranks out a good mess of juice. It used to drive 4 humidifiers, 3 fans and 14 or 16 cold cathode tubes.
The box has three sections, actually. The top is the control section, the center houses the psu and guts, then the very bottom box is open but seperated from the rest. It serves to draw air for the PSU.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/becc34ae.jpg

Looking at the back you can see the bottom section drill holes that supply the air for the psu. Also you can see all the wires that go out to serve whatever they're busy with.
Right now this whole setup is in clamps. I had to pull it apart to work on it some months ago and never finished repairing it. I took the time to do that today. Should have gotten a picture of it all glued up in the clamps.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/259f5be7.jpg

Boz

11-01-2011, 02:47 PM

Looking damn good Scott. :tu

Off topic: Whats the benefit of the new bead design?

shilala

11-01-2011, 09:45 PM

I got the glass all cleaned and reinstalled...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/9e1c675b.jpg

I rewired the fans and hid the control box up top for now...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/43dcd365.jpg

I thought this was a nice pic of the glass, lights, fans and shelves...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/8471fdca.jpg

And here's some of the stuff that went in there. I didn't have time to move everything and rearrange and all, I'll finish that tomorrow, hopefully...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/3162dea5.jpg

kelmac07

11-02-2011, 08:27 AM

Looking good Scott!! :tu :tu

Blak Smyth

11-02-2011, 08:30 AM

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/3162dea5.jpg

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzEnF-0qnPHTxe4hDwoCMJEyJU9EntHRno0x1PpLkFrZfyPOg3sg

irratebass

11-02-2011, 08:34 AM

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzEnF-0qnPHTxe4hDwoCMJEyJU9EntHRno0x1PpLkFrZfyPOg3sg

:tpd:

Dave128

11-02-2011, 08:39 AM

Good Gravy that's a ton of smokes! You could open a shop with that stash!

shilala

11-02-2011, 08:57 AM

I still have a whole gob of stuff that's gotta go in there, too. I'm not exactly sure how I'm gonna pull it off, but I'll make it work somehow. I figured a sale was going to be in order, but I think I can make it all fit.
The pile in the pic fit easy, and I freed up four coolers. :tu

Dave128

11-02-2011, 09:36 AM

shilala

11-02-2011, 09:42 AM

Did you just admit that you have a ton of empty space?
I sure do. You guys should all send me as many cigars as you can. I'll need lots to send to the troops, and I'll be sending packages real shortly. :tu

Apoco

11-02-2011, 10:52 AM

You've inspired me, Scott. There's no lights, no plug bar, etc. in mine - and I've been wishing they would magically appear.

Come my week off in December - I think I know just the project to take on :tu
Posted via Mobile Device

shilala

11-14-2011, 06:35 PM

Just got the replacement parts for the Accumonitor today. I put her all together and it works great. I'll install her very soon.
In the meantime I've been relying on my prototype beads. I filled the bottom of the humi with somewhere between five to ten pounds, just dumped them in there loose around the bottom tray/crumb catcher.
They have kept the humi rock solid at 65% which shocked me to death. I had no doubt the beads would work really good, but had huge doubts as to whether or not I'd be able to seal this beast up.
I am SO excited it's worked so well. Now I can start testing the new beads and all that good stuff. I'll get pics of how I deployed the beads when I install the Accumonitor.
It's going to be such a huge joy to have a great big display humidor that actually works. You guys have no idea how excited I am. It's almost pathetic. :lr

Taki

11-14-2011, 06:41 PM

Can't wait to see her when she's done!

Scottw

11-14-2011, 06:45 PM

What a great looking humi and stash, thanks for sharing Scott! Awesome.

longknocker

11-14-2011, 07:22 PM

lenguamor

11-14-2011, 08:12 PM

Awesome build, Scott. Can't wait to see it filled.

mase

11-15-2011, 12:44 AM

This is amazing. I couldn't even assemble a bird house.

Mattso3000

11-15-2011, 12:56 AM

That thing is looking sweet, Scott! Nice work.

sofaman

11-15-2011, 05:55 AM

Looking Good Brother!!! It looks much diffrent than the day we drug it home

Blak Smyth

11-15-2011, 06:30 AM

You guys have no idea how excited I am. It's almost pathetic. :lr

Yes I think we all know exactly how you feel!:tu

shilala

11-15-2011, 07:17 AM

Looking Good Brother!!! It looks much diffrent than the day we drug it home
I know, right? There's no snow on it or nothing!!! :D

shilala

11-26-2011, 09:17 AM

Okay, I did some more work on the old girl.
I temporarily installed the Avallo after Ron got me the new parts. He even sent a better control module with an extra circulation fan, so I put it to use. It got everything right up to perfect overnight and has been holding rock solid ever since.
I have a few pics of what I did...

Here's a pic of the Avallo water resevoir all ready to stuff in the bottom of the humi.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/ddc4aff1.jpg

Here's a shot of the new beads I'd mentioned. I just filled the bottom of the humi all around the crumb catcher in the base. I failed to weigh how much I added, but it only took about half what I had planned on using. I think there's about seven pounds in there.
The beads did an excellent job all on their own, but with all the leaky glass and low temp/humidity in the basement, the Avallo will keep them recharged really well. It doesn't hardly run at all and I can't tell a difference in the water in the resevoir, so I expect it'll run for months on one refill, and it doesn't hold very much water at all.
I kind of plan to change the water every month. Wish me luck with that. :D

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/85e09193.jpg

Here's a lousy shot of the Avallo controller. The top left is my setting, top right is actual RH%age, and bottom right is the temperature inside the unt. This is where I was right when I set it in there and after I'd opened the doors 100 times. The beads and fans recovered as fast as I could screw things up.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/scottshilala/b2dde121.jpg

maninblack

11-26-2011, 09:40 AM

Wow that is one sweet looking set up Scott!! Great job! Can't wait to see her with all the boxes inside.

Fordman4ever

11-26-2011, 10:39 AM

WOW, that is a great set up.

LostAbbott

11-26-2011, 10:44 AM

Stunning setup Scott, let me oboe if you need another bead tester. I would be happy to be you guenie pig.
Posted via Mobile Device

backwoods357

11-29-2011, 07:08 PM

That is really cool, definitely a project to be proud of! The LED toggles are a nice touch. I bet you could make the control box more compact using a 12v ac to DC converter, some 18 gauge stranded wire, and some punch-down 4 pin molex connectors. I need to get a display humidor, that thing is gorgeous. Nicely done.