When my new check comes in, I'm dropping the $40 to buy a 70qt cooler to start trying to fill.

What am I going to need to keep this thing regulated? Right now I have 2 cheap desktops that don't seem to be holding humidity at all.

Excited to start this quest.
[Reply]

Probably just a pound of Heartfelt or Shilala's beads. Should keep it rock solid.
[Reply]

Do I need to spray them with some sort of solution or just distilled water?
[Reply]

This. I use a pound in my 48qt and its more than adequate. There is a calculator HERE where you can enter the dimensions and it'll tell you how much you need.
[Reply]

Shilala's come ready to go.
[Reply]

:-)

as for the HF yes you just spray those with distilled water :-)
[Reply]

I bought a 48 quart cooler and one of these from heartfelt

http://heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=14

What am I going to have to do to make these functional? Do Heartfelt's come with instructions.
[Reply]

There's lots of different beads on that page. But prepping them is fairly easy. I use distilled water in a spray bottle, just spray to moisten about 2/3 of the beads. They will turn clear when moistened. Dont soak them just spritz enough to moisten them. When 2/3 turn white its time to remoisten. :-)
[Reply]

http://heartfeltindustries.com/prodd...p?prod=HT_4_65

sorry, that might help a bit more...

But thanks for the advice, this Cooleridor has been a long time coming. I wanted to get one in June, but never had the money.
[Reply]

Just picked up a batch for mine...can't wait till they arrive :-)
[Reply]

Congrats on the coolidor! I love mine but I'm starting to run out of space, never thought I'd see that day...

One thing though... If my conversion isn't wrong that's not quite enough beads...

1 Quart = 57.75 Cubic Inches
48*57.75=2772

"This tube will control the humidity in a humidor up to 2000 cubic inches."
[Reply]

Looks like I will need some more then. I'll have to order them. I just did the rough math in my head.
[Reply]

Also, does anybody have a recommendation for a hydrometer? Or will any digital from my B & M do it?
[Reply]

I say get one that is adjustable as they can come a little off. Do the salt test or get a Boveda calibration kit and check them before you put them in your cooler to make sure they are accurate.

Have fun filling the cooler!!! :-)
[Reply]

I wouldn't salt test the digital, Boveda 65% packs are the way to go. If you want a specific hygro, I'm partial to the hygroset line. I got mine super cheap on one of the auction sites.
[Reply]

I have a handful of Boveda 69% packets that I use in my desktops now... Will they work? How do I go about making sure it's accurate? just leave it in the humi overnight with 69% packets and see where it is in the morning, adjust from there?
[Reply]

If you want to check for accuracy, put the hygro and a boveda pack in a ziplock bag overnight and then check the rh. If it is either low or high move the calibration dial a click or 2 depending if it is low or high and retest.
[Reply]

Sounds easy enough. Thanks.
[Reply]

Do you have new packs to use, definitely use a fresh one.
[Reply]

I do have 1 fresh one.
[Reply]