Vinotemp Runs Constantly

i'll give that a shot... I have always felt that its best to tackle the problem from the start and in this case the thermoelectric cooling unit in the Vino is condensing the humidity into water droplets which is why the humidity is so low. Is there no direct way to counteract the process of dehumidification by the cooling plate?

[kydsid]

Originally Posted by Golfman

Is there no direct way to counteract the process of dehumidification by the cooling plate?

Nope. I'm sure Shilala can put more info into that answer for me.

But if you don't have a closed system you can't really know how much it is effecting your rH and how much is escaping.

So lame....

I guess my last questions on this issue before I give up is, will high powered fans help regulate the humidity? or does that not matter.

[kydsid]

Originally Posted by Golfman

So lame....

I guess my last questions on this issue before I give up is, will high powered fans help regulate the humidity? or does that not matter.

It's all about the fans CFM. Oust fan's IMO aren't enough. From the sounds of it you have computer fans and they should move enough air, especially considering the Vino's fan is also running. This of course also depends how much is in the vino.

[Prospector]

What temperature are you trying to maintain inside the Vino? Anything below around 67 F is overkill and could possibly be contributing to your problem.

Also, is it a Vino with a thermoelectric cooler or one with a compressor cooler? The compressor coolers get much colder at the coils and will almost always condense out moisture. Thermoelectrics are the way to go for cigars.

[Mugen910]

Originally Posted by Prospector

What temperature are you trying to maintain inside the Vino? Anything below around 67 F is overkill and could possibly be contributing to your problem.

Also, is it a Vino with a thermoelectric cooler or one with a compressor cooler? The compressor coolers get much colder at the coils and will almost always condense out moisture. Thermoelectrics are the way to go for cigars.

Actually anything below 60F might be overkill if you plan on smoking stuff out of that vino every day. If you keep temps high you are inviting beetles to hatch if there is one or two eggs in all your cigars. Most of the people I know keep their cigars around 60-65 and the humidity at the same range...the lower the humidity and temps in the 58-60 range is for long term aging. I would not let my temp go higher in temp than 68, same goes for the RH.

Originally Posted by Prospector

What temperature are you trying to maintain inside the Vino? Anything below around 67 F is overkill and could possibly be contributing to your problem.

Also, is it a Vino with a thermoelectric cooler or one with a compressor cooler? The compressor coolers get much colder at the coils and will almost always condense out moisture. Thermoelectrics are the way to go for cigars.

I live in a crappy walk up apartment in NYC... During the summer months the ambient temp in my room approaches probabyl about 98 degrees... the temp in the Vino at its highest is around 80 degress but thats rare... it reaches about 78 when i get home and the humidity is usually about 55%. When I turn the AC on the temp runs down to 67 but the humidity remains at about 55%. The humidity is higher on the bottom about 65% because the humidity isnt condensin on the bottom only where the fan blowing in is the humidity really low for my tastes.

I had no idea that there were different types of Vinotemps. I just bought one. How do i know if its thermo electric or compressor cooled? I just ran out and got some putty. I'll seal up the drainage hole for good when i get home and recharge the beads... I'll update you all and see if it makes a difference

[Prospector]

Originally Posted by Golfman

I live in a crappy walk up apartment in NYC... During the summer months the ambient temp in my room approaches probabyl about 98 degrees... the temp in the Vino at its highest is around 80 degress but thats rare... it reaches about 78 when i get home and the humidity is usually about 55%. When I turn the AC on the temp runs down to 67 but the humidity remains at about 55%. The humidity is higher on the bottom about 65% because the humidity isnt condensin on the bottom only where the fan blowing in is the humidity really low for my tastes.

I had no idea that there were different types of Vinotemps. I just bought one. How do i know if its thermo electric or compressor cooled? I just ran out and got some putty. I'll seal up the drainage hole for good when i get home and recharge the beads... I'll update you all and see if it makes a difference

Based on your symptoms I would say that you do indeed have a thermoelectric unit. They are only capable of cooling 20 to 30 degrees below ambient, which is what you are seeing. I am at a loss to explain the condensation, however. That shouldn't be happening at those temperatures.

The daily temperature fluctuations might explain the inability to adequately regulate RH. The time required to stabilize RH is longer than the daily temperature cycle times, and RH is a function of temperature. Not sure how to resolve it, though.