recalibrate the hygrometer-pls help

[EWan154]

Hi,
I was told by a cigar shop to recalibrate your hygrometer. This is what the cigar shop told me to do.

"A simple test which will recalibrate you hygrometer, wrap the hygrometer in a damp cloth for half hour and the reading should be 100%. If not adjust the hygrometer dial to read 100% and place it back in the humidor, this should then give you an accurate reading. You should recalibrate your hygrometer every six months"


I wrapped the hygrometer in a damp cloth for half hour but I could only get the reading to 92.

Is that ok? Also how do I adjust the hygrometer dial to read 100%?

[cls515]

Your best bet would be to get a digital hygrometer and use a Boveda calibration kit every year or so.

[EWan154]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. What is a Boveda calibration kit? ALso I'm using de-ionised water-is that ok?

[cls515]

Yeah I would think that water is ok since it has been purified. I don't have any experience with it though, I have only used distilled water in Viper's beads:

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=14

He also is selling the calibration kits:

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=23

And one stop shopping:

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=10

Using the beads will be one of the best things you can do for your personal storage.

[ReV]

yeah, the salt test or calibration kit is preferable to the damp cloth test... also, not all hydros are adjustable... sometimes you just gotta jot down how many % points your hydro is off and add or subtract that many from whatever the reading is..

[ReV]

also, where the hell are you getting de-ionised water? unless thats the same as distilled water... the only place i've heard the term 'de-ionised water' was in a chem. lab... in just about any drug store you can pick up a gallon of 'distilled' water for a couple bucks or less... its right there with the regular bottled water. anyone know the difference between de-ionised and distilled water?