Example of RH fluctuation in simple electric humidor

[eggtimer]

Hi there,

I was hoping I could get some insight into "normal" or "common" values for Rh fluctuations per hour in an electric humidor. I see swings of 4rh twice per hour and wonder if this is normal.

This is measured directly in the electric humidor and not inside a box of cigars.

Thanks for any insights!

[ChicagoRob]

2 thoughts...

1) If you have a cooling system - I assume over that hour your cooling system is clicking on. Yeah? If so, you will see

The swing you’re seeing humidity drop as the unit cools the ambient temperature. This happens as a biproduct of the cooling system.

Then what you’ll see happen is the system auto kicks on your humidification system to raise the humidity back off and offset the water vapor being removed from the air.

Or

2) you have a significant opening somewhere that is letting out air?

I do not think a drastic 4% drop due to cooling is abnormal to see and if that is more than you want to experience try moving it to a cooler location.

[DennyPaul]

It’s the compressor part of the air conditioning is responsible for the rh drop. 4% isn’t too bad. If you put a probe inside a closed box of cigars you’ll find the fluctuations are much less, and your cigars will generally be the average rH that your humidor fluctuates between.

If your fluctuations become more than that, say in the summer when the a/c needs to run more, consider putting your boxes in a bigger plastic storage container, and have the lid cracked. Ziplock bags do the same thing, just leave them partly unsealed or cut the corners open. That would give you double the averaging effect, and very stable storing conditions. 

[Socrates]

Yeah I agree with others here and would say that a 4%rh swing is not bad at all and how most temp & humidity controlled units work. I've had a Newair 1500 and when the ambient air outside hits 80F+ I would see 4-5%rh swings, but more frequently, about every 10-15min.