Overhumidification on Coolidors

[Shelby07]

Over the winter when I really didn't smoke very much, my cooler got opened maybe once a week and this was just to pick out a smoke. RH was rock steady at 66% the whole winter. I could maybe see excess humidity being a problem if you are in a hot environment with a simple humidification system. Simple meaning simpler than beads. Beads will release and absorb humidity so there should be no problem there. I have a Hydra active humidification system and it has been working extremely well for me. When I did have beads they worked well too.

Actually, a drop in temperature will increase RH in a sealed unit such as a cooler. That's when you need the beads to absorb. You should put your cooler in a location with minimum temperature fluctuations as your RH changes with temperature change. Hotter = lower RH, cooler = higher RH as long as the water volume in the air remains constant.

[drew_goring]

Actually, a drop in temperature will increase RH in a sealed unit such as a cooler. That's when you need the beads to absorb. You should put your cooler in a location with minimum temperature fluctuations as your RH changes with temperature change. Hotter = lower RH, cooler = higher RH as long as the water volume in the air remains constant.

Yeah, I wasn't very clear with that. What I was getting at is that generally in a hotter climate, ambient humidity is much higher as opposed to the nearly 0% humidity we experience in the winter, which makes our humidification devices have to work just that much harder. If you just have a sponge with water in a climate with a high ambient humidity there is definitely a risk of over humidification. This makes the beads a very attractive choice because as long as you use them right, they can absorb and release water.

But yes Mark, you are right-in a closed system.

[bigwhiteash]

Beads are the ONLY option where I live... other than a whole house dehumidifier.

Ambient today is over 90% at 93* F.

[drew_goring]

Beads are the ONLY option where I live... other than a whole house dehumidifier.

Ambient today is over 90% at 93* F.

68degF and 51% here right now. Can't complain.

[Roger]

Thank you everyone for your input. I guess I may be just "too worried" about keeping them at the right RH. I will definitely give the beads a try for my humidification when I get that far. Looking for a nice cheap cooler to get started with.

[Cigarbear]

I'm actually struggling with keeping my cooler RH in the happy range. I even removed all the beads a couple days ago and it hasn't dropped below ~72%. When I open the cooler, the RH actually goes up. I'm wondering if the hygrometer and plan on reclibrating tonight as a test.

[Galvanicfish]

While we're discussing coolerdors, how good of a seal should they have? As long as it stays shut if you turn it upside down? Or do you need something a bit heftier than that?