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Accessory Discussion / Reviews>xikar hygrometer problems
smitty81 06:36 PM 02-14-2012
Just got the round digital hygrometer yesterday. Did the salt test to calibrate it.

My RH levels in my humi seemed funny so I took the hygrometer out and back in a bag with the salt and water cup. (rehydrated)

The level should in therory go back up to 75% after 4 hours should it not?
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Swif 06:48 PM 02-14-2012
tag
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T.G 06:49 PM 02-14-2012
Originally Posted by Swif:
tag
Nice review.
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icehog3 06:50 PM 02-14-2012
Originally Posted by Swif:
tag
You're it.
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jluck 06:50 PM 02-14-2012
Originally Posted by smitty81:
Just got the round digital hygrometer yesterday. Did the salt test to calibrate it.

My RH levels in my humi seemed funny so I took the hygrometer out and back in a bag with the salt and water cup. (rehydrated)

The level should in therory go back up to 75% after 4 hours should it not?
I think more like 24 hrs.
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Islayphile 06:58 PM 02-14-2012
Originally Posted by jluck:
I think more like 24 hrs.
+1

In my experience 12 is usually sufficient, but if you're concerned about it leave it for 24hrs to be safe.
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smitty81 07:04 PM 02-14-2012
Originally Posted by jluck:
I think more like 24 hrs.
then why does it say 4 hours to calibrate in xikars instructions? :-)
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CigarNut 07:07 PM 02-14-2012
IBTLl! :-)
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Islayphile 07:09 PM 02-14-2012
Originally Posted by smitty81:
then why does it say 4 hours to calibrate in xikars instructions? :-)
typo?
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oooo35980 07:31 PM 02-14-2012
I ended up throwing a calibrated hygro in the bag and waiting until that one hit 75%. It took all day, 10ish hours. Maybe it has to do with how much salt, and how wet it is.
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RonC 07:53 PM 02-14-2012
Here is how science guys do a salt test.

First, they know the size of the test chamber. Then, they get a precise amount of salt that is based upon the size of the test chamber. Next, the amount of water that they use is based upon the amount of salt that they used. Last, but not least, they have a formula for how much time that they need to do the test correctly. The time is based upon the test chamber size, amount of salt, and amount of water.

This equation is the same equation that is used with the Humidipak calibration bag. You have a precise amount of water and salt (the humidipak), and you have a test chamber matched to the salt and water(the calibration bag). Then based on all 3 (salt,water,chamber) you have a precise time frame to conduct the test.

another example. There is a relatively expensive hygro available called the VWR recalibratable hygrometer. with the hygro comes a calibration bottle. in the bottle is a precise mix of water and salt. you stick the end of the hygro into the calibration bottle. they have it designed so that the hygro does not get wet. because they have a fixed amount of salt and water, and bottle size, the company can give you an exact timeframe for conducting the test.

at home salt test can vary greatly because we all use different size test chambers. Also, what exactly is a slurry? or not too wet, but not too dry.

Use the Humidipak calibration kit.
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dwoodward 08:10 PM 02-14-2012
Originally Posted by RonC:
at home salt test can vary greatly because we all use different size test chambers. Also, what exactly is a slurry? or not too wet, but not too dry.

Use the Humidipak calibration kit.
This. I have always hated the salt test for the exact reasons you described. It's well known that if your too dry or too wet your RH can differ by great amounts. How the salt test can be called "accurate" is far beyond me.
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smitty81 05:30 PM 02-17-2012
I took my 65% bead tube out of my humi and put it in a ziplock bag.

An hour has passed. It went from 61% to 71% within an hour.

I thought the beads were suppost to maintain RH levels.

Either that or my digi xikar hygrometer is was off...........

Grr, calibrating this hygrometer with the salt test is proving to be useless.
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jluck 05:38 PM 02-17-2012
Originally Posted by smitty81:
I took my 65% bead tube out of my humi and put it in a zip lock bag.

An hour has passed. It went from 61% to 71% within an hour.

I thought the beads were suppost to maintain RH levels.

Either that or my digi xikar hygrometer is was off...........

Grr, calibrating this hygrometer with the salt test is proving to be useless.
What did? Give a few more details.
Your humidor went from 61-71% after one hour? (without beads?)
Your hygrometer went from 61-71% in the ziploc bag with the beads?
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smitty81 06:06 PM 02-17-2012
Originally Posted by jluck:
What did? Give a few more details.
Your humidor went from 61-71% after one hour? (without beads?)
Your hygrometer went from 61-71% in the ziploc bag with the beads?
it jumped up from 61%-71% with the heartfelt 65% beads in the baggie.
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EricF 06:23 PM 02-17-2012
Is your hygro adjustable? Sometimes out of the box they are not set properly. I have had to adjust a few and some were dead on.

Also, how wet were the beads? If you just hydrated them maybe you made them too wet.
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MrClean 06:23 PM 02-17-2012
65% beads may be 60% or 70%, depending oh what they have been doing in your humi. Get the test pack. It's the most accurate and takes 24 hours to complete the test.
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smitty81 06:40 PM 02-17-2012
Originally Posted by MrClean:
65% beads may be 60% or 70%, depending oh what they have been doing in your humi. Get the test pack. It's the most accurate and takes 24 hours to complete the test.
Just bought one tonight, now I gotta wait for it the get here.
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smitty81 06:41 PM 02-17-2012
Originally Posted by EricF:
Is your hygro adjustable? Sometimes out of the box they are not set properly. I have had to adjust a few and some were dead on.

Also, how wet were the beads? If you just hydrated them maybe you made them too wet.
yep, I've had it about a week. I had a feeling it wasnt very accurate so I did a few salt test on it.

Never comes close to %75

I got the test kit so I will wait and see i guess
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jluck 06:47 PM 02-17-2012
Is it adjustable? I know it was asked already but I didn't see a answer.
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