Hygrometer Problem

Hello all,

New here. I just received my Chelsea Humidor form Tampa Humidor on Monday.
I put the hyrgometer (face mounted, analog) in the calibration packet that came with it set for 75%.

After the first 24 hours, it was reading close 78%. So...me being the perfectionist I go to adjust to re-test it for 75%. I turn the screw in the back and I noticed that it was very uneven in adjusting. Sometimes small turn would move it just enough other times it would move a lot when I let go of the screw. Question 1:

Is this normal or is something wrong with it moving that much and that inconsistently...when I think of adjusting something like this I am thinking small movements.

I adjusted back to about 66% and tested again, after about 6 hours it seemed to be holding steady at 75%...BINGO...wrong. I go to put it in the Humidor with the conditioning packet (84%) but since it is a very very tight fit with the rubber o-ring it slid out...BOOM...hits the floor...I now have platic cover, gold trim ring, back cover, and a hygrometer dial looking at in 3 pieces and the needle is at 56%. I put it back together, throw it in the calibration packet, afer about an hour it has moved back into the 70 range...I figure I am good so I go at it again. This time is fits, I put the 84% packet in a lock it up and go to bed. It was reading 56%...I checked it in the morning before work barely 60%...I came home and checked it at lunc same thing.

I checked a couple of local smoke shops for apossible replacement...nothing with a hygrometer that would fit the hole...too big or too small. I took it to my office with me and it adjusted down to about 40%...it is currently at a smoke shop getting calibrated in a humidor with a couple other possible replacements...they also went screwy when we attempted to adjust them in the store just to see how they adjusted.

Is it possible the thing is broke? I know it works somehow because when I put it in the calibration packet or take it out, it moves.

Thanks for any help.

do a search on "humidor" - topic has been visited a lot

also do a search on "The Herfers Guide to setting up a Humidor" - will answer your questions

lastly - analog hygrometers are generally unreliable. get a digital, or better yet, get "heartfelt beads" - and yes, you can do a search on that too - here or google.

Analogs suck. Buy a digital and do the test to see how far it is off. After that buy some Heartfelt Beads and then you wont have to worry about your hygro.

analog's don't work, go digital. :smiley20: :smiley37:

Go digital and get Madelaine. Either the round one or the new slim rectangular one. I have both and they're great. Put a new slim rectangular one in with some 65% Heartfelt beads, came back the next day and it read 65%. The Little Havana read 75%.

Little H also read high with the salt test. I think I'm just going to toss it and be glad I only bought one. Salt tested a round Madelaine and it read 75%!!!!!!

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...esultsmall.jpg

Here's the set up
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...setupsmall.jpg

here's the new slim Madelaine hygro in a plastic bag with a tube of 65% Heartfelt beads
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...HFBcompare.jpg