Condensation in the bottom of my CC300

[WalterG]

1 minute ago, jackupster said:

The unit is designed to lower the temp about 10F max lower than ambient temp.  Raise the temp and you should be better off. When I had this model I left it unplugged and had no issues. I did have it in a room that only gets to the low 70s in the summer. AC controlled basement level room. 

I've raised it to 68F now. That's a lot closer to my ambient temp.

[T.52]

1 hour ago, Big Al said:

I have them running 24/7. Should I set them on a schedule instead of leaving them on all the time? I put my butler and other hygrometers in a air tight container with a 65% and they all read 64-65%. This condensation is making me nuts. 

I'm an idiot so don't take what I say as gospel.  All I know is that my unit has been very stable with secondary fans running for 5 minutes every hour, the temp set at 62F, and 65RH boveda bags.  I do keep 62% and 69% bags close by, as well as desiccant silica beads.  Beads are usually only needed in summer to soak up extra humidity.

I use this to control the on/off cycle:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G6O28NA/

[T.52]

I should also add that I'm in SoCal, rarely ever use AC/Heat/HVAC, and get pretty large ambient temp swings over a 24 hour period.

[SmokyFontaine]

It appears the solutions are amassing, but I exclusively purchased a couple for use for about 3 months out of the year. My home could get as hot as 82 or so, then I run the devices to the highest temp they'll go (66 and 72 respectively if I remember right). The 66 never cools all the way down to 66, but it gets the temp down to the mid to low 70's. Humidity is usually +/- 2% of the humidity packs I have in there. During the remaining 9 months, they're unplugged. Mine are in my closet, and I always miss the blue glow of the LEDs when they're plugged in. Makes me feel like my cigars are on display every time I'm in there

Under those circumstances, I haven't had even a light mist of condensation. 

[PigFish]

I am between scans here on my pay application so I have just a minute.

I have long speculated that NA uses are reservoir to store water that condenses in the humidor for evaporation at a later date, designed to compensate for the loss of water (vapor) during cooling. I don't own one of these things so I am only speculating.

Empty the humidor. Take off the door. Spread out a piece of plastic. Turn it on its face. Expect a gush of water.

I am not kidding. Let me know what happens. -the Pig

If you get water out of it, this is part of your problem... We won't know unless you try!

 

[Zedman05]

A thing to note; as temperature is lowered, humidity in the air drops out. If you set your temp to 60 F, you will have more condensation build up than if you had it set for 65 F.
If your ambient is a lot warmer than that, it will also be an issue with introduction of new humidity in large quantities. Make sure to leave the door closed as much as possible.

[joey rockets]

A few years ago, I looked into these units as a problem free solution to store cigars.  Ha!  There is no such thing and unfortunately, these refrig units seem to compound the problem.

[CaptainQuintero]

20 hours ago, Puro_Lover83 said:

So if you’re fairly confident about your cigar source (ie there should be no beetle issue), then keeping them at a higher temp where ambient temp/humidity is high, and as long as you’re keeping them at a decent RH and acceptable temp within, that should be ok?

I know it’s trial and error depending on where you live etc, but just trying to understand the overall concept. Thanks!

If you're confident then no need to freeze, if you're not sure then freeze to remove any doubt.

  When you've frozen you've removed the risk of beetles. The only other issue remaining is mold, beads will sort that out.

  I can only say what works for me but my system is freeze everything coming in, and have beads to control humidity. I've been set at around 64-66 for 7+ years with my system and haven't had to do anything that whole time apart from replace hygrometer batteries

[CaptainQuintero]

17 hours ago, zyxwvu44 said:

You need to block off the drain hole with duct tape. Then you create a duct tape channel with ridges so that the moisture flows down into a Tupperware filled with beads. The duct tape goes from the back wall into the tupper. You now have a closed system which won't need refilling because it isn't leaking out the back, and the moisture gets put into the beads which then disburse it back out appropriately.

Also a fan on the back next to the beads pointing upwards really helps.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 

  Just be aware that depending on the problem, you could be simply sealing up a unit that is constantly creating more and more moisture. When beads are full (clear) they can't absorb anything else and you'll end up with pooling.

[zyxwvu44]

17 hours ago, Big Al said:

What kind of beads do I need? Will they cause the humidity to go up? 

Heartfelt beads you can choose the % you want. essentially just non-sealed bovedas. 

[zyxwvu44]

1 hour ago, CaptainQuintero said:

  Just be aware that depending on the problem, you could be simply sealing up a unit that is constantly creating more and more moisture. When beads are full (clear) they can't absorb anything else and you'll end up with pooling.

This is true. In my case once the unit "dried out" enough, i basically never had to maintain it because it was a closed system. There could be other reasons why the water pooling is happening.

[WalterG]

3 hours ago, CaptainQuintero said:

If you're confident then no need to freeze, if you're not sure then freeze to remove any doubt.

  When you've frozen you've removed the risk of beetles. The only other issue remaining is mold, beads will sort that out.

  I can only say what works for me but my system is freeze everything coming in, and have beads to control humidity. I've been set at around 64-66 for 7+ years with my system and haven't had to do anything that whole time apart from replace hygrometer batteries

Any reason you choose to use beads and not boveda?

[CaptainQuintero]

9 hours ago, Big Al said:

Any reason you choose to use beads and not boveda?

  I think at the time beads were a lot cheaper. I run 4 x 1lb bags (double bagged tights) inside a washing machine-sized wine fridge (unplugged) so there is a lot of stability in the set up and quick recovery of rh after opening the door etc

  I could be wrong but I think at the time boveda only sold small sachet type packs, or at least that was only what was available to me that I could find

No fans inside mine etc btw, beads and 3/4 hygrometers (depending on battery levels) spread evenly throughout the space instead

[The Squiggler]

On 3/9/2020 at 3:31 PM, T.52 said:

I'm an idiot so don't take what I say as gospel. 

I think I shall have to adopt this humble preface ?

[PrairieSmoke]

Wow, lots of bad experiences in this thread. I have 3 New Air units and have never had a condensation problem. @PigFish has addressed this in multiple places, but it’s about the conditions outside your humidor. 
 

You will never stop condensation in these units if you are using them to cool well below the temperature in the room. It’s understandable that everyone with warm ambient conditions thinks these will help them, but the sad truth is that these units work the best when they are only a few degrees cooler than the room.