America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 21 years ago by Slimboli. 20 replies replies.
Calibrate
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
wbslngr Offline
#1 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 10:13 AM EST
Joined: 08-27-2002
Posts: 748
Does anyone have a good easy test to calibrate a hygrometer. I just bought a new humidor and am trying to get it ready. I did a search oh great ones for calibrate and there were tons of posts. I was hoping to get the easy way out and just ask.

Thanks
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#2 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 10:37 AM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
Slimboli Offline
#3 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 1:02 PM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Here you go ... I found it for you!

http://www.cigarbid.com/...ageDisplay=0000000005114
Slimboli Offline
#4 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 1:05 PM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Oh heck ... I'll even make it easier ... LOL!

How To Calibrate a Hygrometer ...

To calibrate your hygrometer you will need table salt, a see through container such as a Ziplock baggie, and a small shallow open container, like a bottle cap.

Place a teaspoon or so of salt in the shallow container and add a few drops of water to get it wet. You don't want to dissolve it, just get a good damp pile of salt in your container. Remember, you don't want a salt water solution, just damp salt.

Place the shallow container in the baggie along with the hygrometer. Seal the baggie with some air trapped inside (so it is not tight against the hygrometer) and let it sit.

Allow this to stabilize for at least 6 hours (don't rush it). After it has stabilized, check the hygrometer reading without opening up the baggie. It should be exactly 75%. If not, you can simply adjust the reading by turning the dial on the back of the hygrometer with a small screwdriver.
Robby Offline
#5 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 1:16 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
And oh, by the way, if you haven't done this? YOU REALLY NEED TO! I have several digital hygrometers. I've observed a range from right on, to 7% off... So if you're 7% off, and you're at 70/70, you're really at 77/70 Danger Will Robinson Danger!!
Slimboli Offline
#6 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 1:32 PM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Robby --- the calabration method I stated above is for analog hygrometers (dial-type) ...

... digital hygrometers come from the factory pre-calibrated, and are usually accurate to 1%/3%, and do not require calibration.
Robby Offline
#7 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 1:38 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
In my best Dr. Evil voice, "Riiiight", the key word in your last post was "usually". I recommend (STRONGLY) that you salt check ALL of your hygrometers... I have seen swings in performance regardless of what the manufacture says. The salt doesn't lie.
xrundog Offline
#8 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 1:53 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
On some analogs ,if there is no access port, you have to pop the back off.
Robby Offline
#9 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 1:58 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Or, in the case of a digital which cannot be calibrated, you can simply note the discrepency. i.e., if you're reading +5, you can take that in to account and if you want it at 70, you can shoot for 65. That's what I do.
wbslngr Offline
#10 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 3:16 PM EST
Joined: 08-27-2002
Posts: 748
Fast and easy, thanks. I have the analog type.
Thanks guys.
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#11 Posted: Sun, Mar 16 2003, 6:35 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
Robby

yours is the quickest and easiest way, but a digital can be calibrated by opening it and adjusting the pot.
Slimboli Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, Mar 17 2003, 4:29 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Rick --- could you explain 'adjusting the pot'? I'm not sure what you mean by this ...

Can the novice do this easily and accurately?
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#13 Posted: Mon, Mar 17 2003, 7:42 AM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
Slimboli

pot. is short for potentiometer. it's inside the hygrometer case. it works sort of like the adjustment you can make on your water heater to maintain a certain temperature, except this can be adjusted to read and show the humidity correctly.

usually when you open the hygrometer, one piece of plastic is simply a protective cover and the entire mechanism is attached to the other piece of plastic. somewhere in that mess of stuff on the back is a tiny screw head about the size of the screw that is used for reading glasses. that is the adjustment screw.

use the standard calibration method to get a reading and turn the adjusting screw 1/4 turn to the right if the guage reads lower then you know it should, and recalibrate. if it is showing more humidity then you know it to be, back off 1/8. a little patience will lock it in permanently.


Robby Offline
#14 Posted: Mon, Mar 17 2003, 7:53 AM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Thanks Rick! I'm going to be playing with my POT and then smoking tonight ;-)
smithbw Offline
#15 Posted: Mon, Mar 17 2003, 8:14 AM EST
Joined: 09-01-2001
Posts: 2,444
Robby - Just make sure your playing with the right pot!

Rick - Awesome! Thank you - for the detailed information. I have been concerned with my latest digital it reads 7% more than the one sitting right next too it...I was wondering how to caliberate it.

Regards,

B
cruiser Offline
#16 Posted: Mon, Mar 17 2003, 9:14 AM EST
Joined: 06-15-2001
Posts: 739
I got 2 digital readers one is 8% off the other is 5% off, so i dont worry aslong its not reading over 80% both go to the high side.Amen
Robby Offline
#17 Posted: Mon, Mar 17 2003, 4:30 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Well bad news. I popped open (unscrewed) my little digital hyg. No POT! Somebody got my stash!! So it doesn't appear to be adjustable... Perhaps time for a purchase on the merchandise board?
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#18 Posted: Mon, Mar 17 2003, 4:52 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
Robby

before you trash it, send it to me. i'll try to calibrate it and send it back.
Robby Offline
#19 Posted: Mon, Mar 17 2003, 5:38 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Not trashing, simply compensating, i.e., if I know from the salt test that it reads 7% high (which it does) and I want to keep my dry box at 65% (which I do) then I just moderate the humidity to a 72% reading... I would send it to you, but you know what would come next... We'd be all buddy buddy and discussing who was the greater president, Clinton or Carter. You'd have me at an Anti-war rally. Hell, next thing you know, I'm sipping chablis with Labonte!
wbslngr Offline
#20 Posted: Sun, Mar 23 2003, 5:28 PM EST
Joined: 08-27-2002
Posts: 748
Thanks slim, did it today. After 6 hours it read 71 so I changed it to the 75 and we should be good to go.

Thanks
Slimboli Offline
#21 Posted: Sun, Mar 23 2003, 5:54 PM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Cool!
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top