For everybody with wine cooler...

[gerem]

Hi everyone,

I bought a GE wine cooler about 4 days ago, I put 1 pound of beads in it but my humidity keeps doing the yoyo (up and down).

I just want to know how did you set yours and how long before the humidity settles down.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[FireDigger]

We need more information...

1. How big is your wine cooler?

2. What hygrometer are you using? Digital or Analogue? Where is the hygrometer placed?

3. What type of beads are you using? 70%? 65%?

4. What's the range of fluctuation? If 60-70, then it's not bad.

I have a 28-bottle Vinotemp. I think I left 1 pound of 65% Heartfelt beads in there over night, then start filling the fridge with my cigars. It will fluctuate a bit in the first week, but it's been 62-66 since.

Hope that helps.

[sounddust]

Mine took about a day to stabilize after I filled it with cigars. I have been using mine for about a year now and it still fluctuates about 2-4%, which is fine by me.

[brutusthebuckeye]

Bo pointed out some great stuff for ya....but he forgot to ask you if it its "Thermoelectric" a comprssor model is no good cuz when it kicks on and off that will also make it yoyo on ya.......cke ck and see if it's a Thermo....

[FireDigger]

Bo pointed out some great stuff for ya....but he forgot to ask you if it its "Thermoelectric" a comprssor model is no good cuz when it kicks on and off that will also make it yoyo on ya.......cke ck and see if it's a Thermo....

I've always thought the compressor models were only louder than the thermoelectric, but did not know about the readings fluctuating. Good to know!

[gerem]

We need more information...

1. How big is your wine cooler?

2. What hygrometer are you using? Digital or Analogue? Where is the hygrometer placed?

3. What type of beads are you using? 70%? 65%?

4. What's the range of fluctuation? If 60-70, then it's not bad.

I have a 28-bottle Vinotemp. I think I left 1 pound of 65% Heartfelt beads in there over night, then start filling the fridge with my cigars. It will fluctuate a bit in the first week, but it's been 62-66 since.

Hope that helps.

1. It's around 4 cubic feet.

2.It's a digital hygrometer.

3.I'm using 70%.

4.It's from 50% to 70%.

Now I think it's because my wine cooler got a compressor. What can I do???

[gerem]

Bo pointed out some great stuff for ya....but he forgot to ask you if it its "Thermoelectric" a comprssor model is no good cuz when it kicks on and off that will also make it yoyo on ya.......cke ck and see if it's a Thermo....

Can you explain why??? Cause I want to understand.

Thanks.

[brutusthebuckeye]

Can you explain why??? Cause I want to understand.

Thanks.

I really can't explain it ....but i looked on another forum and a guy on there said his is a compressor model and he fixed it by putting the cigars in a tupperware container and then put those in the wine cooler....hope this helps..

[Jesuscookies]

Compressor models usually have an automatic defrost, so it will pull the moisture out when running. Thermoelectrics, do not do this. I have mine in a full size refrigerator, and it works, but you have to limit the tempature so that the compressor only runs for a very short period out of the day. Even with that I will get 10 point swings in humidity on very hot days.

[pizzaguy]

Can you explain why??? Cause I want to understand.

Thanks.

compressor fridges work by pulling moisture out of the air.

[gerem]

compressor fridges work by pulling moisture out of the air.

Thanks for the info, I'm gonna return it and I'll make sure to buy a thermo electric one.

Thanks everyone.

[zuma]

Thanks for the info, I'm gonna return it and I'll make sure to buy a thermo electric one.

IMHO, it seems rather unfortunate that most "off-the-shelf" refrigeration systems are designed around the "on-off" concept (except those with the "direct inverter" moniquer). In the "on" state (temperature T above "on" threshold), the system tends to lower the temperature of the heat transfer system (coils, plate, etc) well below the dew point, thus causing condensation and reducing relative humidity. Once the temperature goes below the "off" threshold, cooling power becomes nil, and the system is allowed to drift up... until the "on" threshold is reached... and so on an so forth. So, any on-off type system will have the same problem regardless of it being compressor- or thermoelectric-based. Generally thermoelectric-based coolers tend to be more flexible, but a glitch in the control system or poor circuit design can end up "accidentally" switching cooling for heating...

The devil is always in the detail...

[gerem]

Hey everyone,

I'm up and runnin' with a Prestichef 28 (thermo-electric cellar), it's similar to the Vinotemp28. After 6 hours, it was down to 66 F, 70% bottom and 67% humidity on the top.

Thanks everyone for the help.

ps: pics are coming soon.

[El Presidente]

Hey everyone,

I'm up and runnin' with a Prestichef 28 (thermo-electric cellar), it's similar to the Vinotemp28. After 6 hours, it was down to 66 F, 70% bottom and 67% humidity on the top.

Thanks everyone for the help.

ps: pics are coming soon.

Glad to hear it worked out

[zuma]

Awesome... I am glad you have found a good one; and, BTW, my apologies for my sceptic/paranoid comments. Cheers!

[Professor Twain]

Great to hear that buying a thermoelectric model has helped.

I made a lengthy post about this some time ago, even with a thermoelectric you may have humidity variations (higher at the bottom of the fridge, and also higher as the fridge is at the top end of its temperature range, before the cooling kicks in). BUT I learned (by putting digital hygrometers inside of boxes) that the humidity and temperature variability are smaller inside of the boxes than out in the open. So, your cigars are not really getting the swings that you might find if you put your hygrometer in the open.

It is also a good idea to inspect and rotate your cigars every month or so. Cigars on the lower shelves, or that accidentally touch the sides of the fridge, can get humidity that is too high and you can get mold. No big deal if you catch it fast. But best to be avoided.

Enjoy!