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Last post 9 years ago by ZRX1200. 13 replies replies.
Active Humidification; Problems With Humi-Care XG 1000 Pro
Matty1905 Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 07-11-2003
Posts: 2
I have been using a HumiCare XG 1000 Pro in my cabinet for two years. Overall, it's performed very well. It's much quieter than the Cigar Oasis II XL and the Moist N' Aire active humidifiers. The latter 2 units are more powerful, but the Moist N' Aire tends to over-humidify the cabinet and requires constant monitoring (I wouldn't buy one of these -- you can't just "set it and forget it" unless you enjoy raising tobacco beetles! ram27bat ) I have two very large cabinets and I use one or two of these large active systems in combination with an assortment of passive humidifiers in each cabinet. The HumiCare is quiet and efficient and is my favorite of the three for this reason.

Unfortunately, I'm having serious trouble with my XG 1000. For some reason, Humi-Care doesn't manufacture a replacement cartridge so, after cleaning the old cartridge several times, I replaced it with some absorbent floral foam. I haven't been able to find foam that fits the HumiCare reservoir, so I cut the foam with a hacksaw (gently) and, even then, none of the bricks I've found are long enough to fill the reservoir completely. Still, this option is better than buying an expensive new XG 1000. Hopefully, HumiCare will begin selling replacement foam for it's flagship active humidifier. Until that happens, I cannot recommend the XG 1000 Pro, despite its advantages.

I am also having serious problems with the HumiCare's built-in hygrometer that regulates when the unit turns itself on and off. The unit worked well with the ill-fitting replacement foam for about a month but since then, the hygrometer has become terribly inaccurate, usually reading under 40% RH. I have several freestanding hygrometers in each cabinet and my cigars are in good shape, so I'm certain the problem is in the HumiCare hygrometer. The HumiCare has a manual regulator that changes the reading on the hygrometer (plus or minus) by about 5% to match the actual humidity level in the box. But with the HumiCare's hygrometer under-reading the RH level by about 30%, this is not sufficient to compensate for the problem. To make matters worse, the HumiCare emits a loud alarm when the perceived humidity level falls significantly below the levels set on the control unit, so I turn the whole thing off at night. Not good.

So does anyone know if it's possible to completely recalibrate the HumiCare's internal hygrometer or alternatively, to permanently disengage the alarm? There is no obvious way to remove the cover on the control unit, and I am reluctant to do anything to damage it. I'm no mechanical genius so hopefully I'm missing something. The hygrometer's inaccurate readings fluctuate wildly, so I cannot simply set it for say, 35%, knowing that it would keep the RH at the correct level despite the incorrect reading. Are the bad readings the result of the poorly-fitting foam brick (which is well-filled with distilled water)? Any guidance here would be deeply appreciated.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone in the CigarBid community!
IUROX Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2006
Posts: 10,357
J
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K


Hard to believe it lasted 2 years. Mine last 6 months . TOTAL CRAP!
gimbel Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 02-04-2010
Posts: 11,148
Beads and a few computer fans. No fuss, no muss.
t33bone Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 10-25-2007
Posts: 27,374
I have been using this pro unit for almost three years without any problems. It came with the green foral foam in it. Hope you didn't jinx me. LOL
t33bone Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 10-25-2007
Posts: 27,374
IUROX wrote:
J
U
N
K


Hard to believe it lasted 2 years. Mine last 6 months . TOTAL CRAP!

User error here I believe. Hehe
july11 Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2008
Posts: 1,769
t33bone wrote:
I have been using this pro unit for almost three years without any problems. It came with the green foral foam in it. Hope you didn't jinx me. LOL



Have had two of these units as well since 2008, one in each of my larger humidors and have had no probs as well. I did however take the green foam out after a few months and replaced them with gel crystals. humidity levels are right on but I have also added two extra fans that kick on when the main unit does to help move/circulate humidity to all shelves.
The alarm is loud and annouying when it goes off and is my only dislike with the unit.


7/11
Matty1905 Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 07-11-2003
Posts: 2
Thanks to everyone who replied. Filling the reservoir with beads is a good idea that did not occur to me. I will try that. Thanks again.

In comparing the most popular active systems, both the Moist N' Aire and the Cigar Oasis II XL require an electrical outlet inside the cabinet. The XG 1000 is designed to power itself via one of those ribbons that threads through a closed cabinet door. One of my cabinets is older than the other and does not have an ac outlet inside, so I need something like the XG 1000 to move the air around a bit.

Frankly, none of these machines seems to be reliably built for the long haul. The Moist N' Aire is made of metal, but the mechanical parts are crap, and it never knows when to shut itself on or off. The Oasis has been the best performer so far (I've had it for 3 years), and unlike Humi-Care, getting a new cartridge is no problem. But it's very loud, and it's made of rather cheap materials (I'm a bit surprised it's still going). Is there another active humidification solution out there that I'm missing? I've read good things about Avallo, but it's VERY pricey and I don't know if it's any better than what I have. Anyone out there have a good any experience with another active system in a large cabinet that works well, and is durable enough to last for a few years at least?
05busa Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 01-02-2007
Posts: 97,187
I got one.......its usually at 70.0 but occassionally it says 72.3 or so but than changes back. I guess when fans turn on it adjusts........Thanks for stopping by
boileremt Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 03-12-2007
Posts: 1,763
Fill it with beads/kitty litter (Exquisicat Pearl Fresh) and add a couple extra fans. Mine does great that way.

05busa Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 01-02-2007
Posts: 97,187
yours are low i heARD
t33bone Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 10-25-2007
Posts: 27,374
Still working fine and only replaced the foam w beads. The power strip is taped on the side as I think I need a new power ribbon. If anyone knows where to get one, LMK. Otherwise tape has been working for over a year now. LOL
Bass man Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2012
Posts: 34
You can make your own for about $40 that is if you know how to wire stuff and have common sense
ZRX1200 Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,476
HEART FELT apologies BEADS.
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