mcease022 Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 Hi All, I want to get a set it and forget it humidification system for my 3000 count humidor. I want something that is going to be reliable, but I want to spend as little as possible :-) Any advice? Thanks!
Popular Post Fuzz Posted January 24, 2016 Popular Post Posted January 24, 2016 I always find it strange when people try to spend as little as possible on their humidification systems for a large humidor. You're going to be putting thousands of dollars worth of cigars in there. Skip buying a box and spend the money on a quality set up. 9
stogieluver Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 Not sure what brand it is, but research the system used in Aristocrat humidors. The system in mine is flawless. Spot on maintaining the rh that is set. The system's fans work great, too. 2
SCgarman Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 Hi All, I want to get a set it and forget it humidification system for my 3000 count humidor. I want something that is going to be reliable, but I want to spend as little as possible :-) Any advice? Thanks! You obviously spent a good deal on the humidor, why would you skimp on a good humidification unit? Here you go. Cost is about 180USD from many online sources. About the cost of a price of robustos.
Profmd Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Not sure what brand it is, but research the system used in Aristocrat humidors. The system in mine is flawless. Spot on maintaining the rh that is set. The system's fans work great, too. I agree. I have the same system and it's fantastic. Not cheap, I think mine was close to $500 used, but more than worth the price. 1
SCgarman Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 I don't know the OP's definition of "cheap" is, but my Cigar Oasis has been running non-stop in my end table humidor since 2008 and hasn't missed a beat. I also have boxes in there since 2008 and the condition of the cigars are perfect.
mcease022 Posted January 25, 2016 Author Posted January 25, 2016 The funny thing is that the system from Aristocrat Humidors looks just to be a humidifier wired up to a digital humidistat. This can probably be made for under $100. I was looking into making one of these for myself - I might just do it if this is what people are using and swear by the reliability. I just didnt want the hassle. Any other suggestions?
SCgarman Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 The funny thing is that the system from Aristocrat Humidors looks just to be a humidifier wired up to a digital humidistat. This can probably be made for under $100. I was looking into making one of these for myself - I might just do it if this is what people are using and swear by the reliability. I just didnt want the hassle. Any other suggestions? Re-read post #4. I gave you a suggestion for a very good humidifier that can handle 3000 cigars for less than 200USD.
Boss Hog Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 My custom cabinet is equipped with this unit: https://www.humidorbau.de/aktive-befeuchter/huminator-medium.html Exceptional.
MrGTO Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 The funny thing is that the system from Aristocrat Humidors looks just to be a humidifier wired up to a digital humidistat. This can probably be made for under $100. I was looking into making one of these for myself - I might just do it if this is what people are using and swear by the reliability. I just didnt want the hassle. Any other suggestions? If you can make your own humidifier so cheap why ask this question? You obviously have it figured out.
PigFish Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 I can make you a complete system for your humidor. CHEAP... that is a matter of opinion. I have a PDF of 'a famous maker's controller' and it comes with a sensor with a +-5% rH accuracy number. The logic control is far simpler than mine but far less sophisticated. It pretty much depends on what you want, and what you want it to do, how accurate you want it, and what precision you want. I program it to what you want and you can change it, including activation logic, at will to suit your needs. I can make you custom mounts to mount it, custom sized humidifiers (evaporative type), bead silos, ducted fans etcetera. If you know what you want, I can generally make it for you! I run a 4 axis controller, that means you can control above and below two set points. You can heat, cool, hydrate and dehydrate... with one external sensor, and a single controller. My sensors are 1.6rH accurate (accuracy is really a fool's game if you don't mind me saying) but I searched out the best temp/rH transmitters that can be bought for the money and that is what I sell. None of my stuff is Chinese made "terrarium and lizard cage" controller stuff. You can buy that crap on ebay all day long for cents on the dollar. My controller is made in Europe and my sensor is made in the USA. All the harnesses and other items are made by me. My email is in my profile. I will post a pic of one of my controllers after dinner. Lady Piggy is calling!!! -Ray
irratebass Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 This is what I am looking at.....http://www.avallohumidors.com/Accumonitor.html I did "skimp" when I bought my tower and just use beads, because a friend who has the same tower uses beads and convinced me "why waste $ on that system when the beads work just as well, and that's more cigars you could be buying?" I fell for it. I was using an Oasis Xl, which was working, but not the best, so I decided to try the beads for a year....they have worked, but again not the best. I have also been toying around with the idea of using Bovedas, but that looks to be too costly, so throwing down $500 and being done with it is the way to go. Sorry Piggy, but I just don't know the hardware language to order one from you. I will be watching this discussion.
PigFish Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 This is what I am looking at.....http://www.avallohumidors.com/Accumonitor.html I did "skimp" when I bought my tower and just use beads, because a friend who has the same tower uses beads and convinced me "why waste $ on that system when the beads work just as well, and that's more cigars you could be buying?" I fell for it. I was using an Oasis Xl, which was working, but not the best, so I decided to try the beads for a year....they have worked, but again not the best. I have also been toying around with the idea of using Bovedas, but that looks to be too costly, so throwing down $500 and being done with it is the way to go. Sorry Piggy, but I just don't know the hardware language to order one from you. I will be watching this discussion. Its all good mate... I have always said, there is an ass for every seat... -LOL These Avallo systems are really cheap (inexpensive), I get it. I am not in the inexpensive market. I am in the precision market and some folks don't want, need, nor want to pay for that kind of control. Regardless of being a competitor in this market, I have always preached an overriding philosophy about storing cigars. The less you spend on storage, the more you can on cigars! I get it! People are attracted to my solutions because they have often tried everything else and failed to get the results that they want. I serve a niche market. My products don't attract everyone, and I am cool with that. Not everyone needs a controller that reads down to 10 to <5>. People who run cool rooms and production facilities want something better than a 2 point set point differential, while most that smoke cigars will never notice it... I is all about choices. One of the reasons that I get the results that I get is a competent controller. Believe me, I too would like to spend less... I was planning on making a better video today but I just don't have the time. Bear in mind mates, I am not a filmmaker or your typical YouBoob guy! Enjoy the vid... Oh, I did this for a guy who wanted to know why I choose a compressor cooler. It does teach some lessons, one about good design, use of compressor coolers, competent, real-time controllers and air exchanges. Lastly... in the vid I make a verbal blunder. When the door opens you will notice that the rH rises rather rapidly while the door is open. Here in lies the adage, never assume! Just because the rH is lower in the ambient, the combination of rH and temp yields an absolute rH much higher than the cooler insides. As a result, water vapor floods the humidor. It too is a great lesson! Take anyone else's humidor, I dare you and put it in a 85˚F ambient with high rH... You will be regretting the day!!! -LOL Thanks for watching. -Piggy https://www.dropbox.com/s/wbqwm3sqgbmlzrg/Simple%20Demo%20Movie%2084F.MOV?dl=0 1
Orion21 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Ray, I can't stress enough how much I hate thermoelectric coolers for cigars. I had a nightmare situation over the summer where one of my coolers lost it's ability to cool, but the thermoelectic unit ran continuously for possibly weeks. I feared the damage that this malfunction had caused proved fatal to about 30 boxes of cigars, but I'm happy to say MONTHS later they have recovered. I have made the decision to forego any sort of active temperature management in my "active" humidors until I find a solution. Additionally, I feel a minimalist approach is best in most circumstances after my experience. If temperature control is not a possibility for someone, or like me a preference, what's the sliding scale for rh% based on temperature. Another way to put it is if you enjoy your cigars at 62% at 70F, if you had to keep your cigars at 84F, what would the ideal rh% need to be for them to have the equivalent water content to smoke and age in the same way? I too used to keep my crappy thermo units at 70F and about 60%rh... Now that I'm at 75F what should be my target rh?
ChefBoyRG54 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 I use the Staebell units in my end table aristocrat and a dual unit in my large cabinet. Both work very well imo
Cohiba Stevie Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 When i was desinging my aristocrat i took inspiration from the cigarspa website The cigarspa is the active system that i use in my cabinet but in their website they feature a "double back wall" system which uses fanss to direct the humidity to levels via an extra panel at the back. Turned out it was too costly, i opted for re-circ fans and that was it. Works flawlessly with my cigar spa
irratebass Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 Its all good mate... I have always said, there is an ass for every seat... -LOL These Avallo systems are really cheap (inexpensive), I get it. I am not in the inexpensive market. I am in the precision market and some folks don't want, need, nor want to pay for that kind of control. Regardless of being a competitor in this market, I have always preached an overriding philosophy about storing cigars. The less you spend on storage, the more you can on cigars! I get it! People are attracted to my solutions because they have often tried everything else and failed to get the results that they want. I serve a niche market. My products don't attract everyone, and I am cool with that. Not everyone needs a controller that reads down to 10 to <5>. People who run cool rooms and production facilities want something better than a 2 point set point differential, while most that smoke cigars will never notice it... I is all about choices. One of the reasons that I get the results that I get is a competent controller. Believe me, I too would like to spend less... I was planning on making a better video today but I just don't have the time. Bear in mind mates, I am not a filmmaker or your typical YouBoob guy! Enjoy the vid... Oh, I did this for a guy who wanted to know why I choose a compressor cooler. It does teach some lessons, one about good design, use of compressor coolers, competent, real-time controllers and air exchanges. Lastly... in the vid I make a verbal blunder. When the door opens you will notice that the rH rises rather rapidly while the door is open. Here in lies the adage, never assume! Just because the rH is lower in the ambient, the combination of rH and temp yields an absolute rH much higher than the cooler insides. As a result, water vapor floods the humidor. It too is a great lesson! Take anyone else's humidor, I dare you and put it in a 85˚F ambient with high rH... You will be regretting the day!!! -LOL Thanks for watching. -Piggy https://www.dropbox.com/s/wbqwm3sqgbmlzrg/Simple%20Demo%20Movie%2084F.MOV?dl=0 Avallo's are cheap? I thought they were expensive. What are you asking for your units?
PigFish Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 Avallo's are cheap? I thought they were expensive. What are you asking for your units? ... that discussion must go to email, but if you are settled there is not much point in going over the details of what you want to quote! I don't run a point and click business. I solve specific problems with technology, engineering and parts. My model is to fix problems, not sell something with no guidance that might not work for a person. To tell you the truth, if all you want is to adjust rH in a net rH lossy environment, these are likely a good choice for the money! You see, this is what I do... I don't sell products per say; I listen, analyze and advise. A small percentage of the people who contact me really need what I sell, I take them to the cleaners... -LOL (not really!) Frankly this is a good spot for one of my customs to come to the table and tell you what I do, but I will not force that hand. I have a 'few' in this group but they move around like most other BB entheusiasts. There is a lot of stuff out there mate and if you look into the crappy Chinese controller market you can find stuff for a song! It is not that some of these solutions won't or cannot work. I say crappy because I know the the reason why I sell what I sell, why I need it. I know that you don't get something for nothing. I know how to use specific technology and when and were to use the programming and logic options. I have analyzed a lot of different products on the market from a lot of different makers... If I wanted to sell "cheap stuff" a few days of research could net me an entire product line... One problem that I still see a lot of, even the guy who buys cheap stuff, expects it to work like expensive stuff! The guy who buys cheap stuff, still wants it to work. The thing is mate, I am about what I need to get a specific result... I hold that bar pretty high. People around the world are sending me data logs of the stuff they have bought, some of them 2, 3, 5 times what my stuff costs that still does not work for them... The problem is that technology is the last part that most smokers think about when they point and click or seek council of the many that build humidors. I don't really like that model, but that model is the money maker! My problem is that I am a smoker first and a humidor and controls guy, a man selling the stuff, second. When the mainstream guys in this business could not, or would not solve my problems I went out on my own. Enough about me! So if I come full circle. Have a look at this product! http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-thermometers-hygrometers/11442-515078/zoo-med-zoo-med-hygrotherm-humidity-temperature-controller.html?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KEQiAz5y1BRDZ4Z_K_eGa84cBEiQAtQkeaA6UdXalty9rWEHjf20uILo4110SDsGDNBAJ-S6ismsaAtv_8P8HAQ I mean if you are going to point and click, there is a lot of stuff out there that one can use. If precision is not your need nor desire, you don't need to spend the bread on my stuff. That is the honest truth. One last thing... I don't jump into these threads to sell things. I never sell anything off of one of these conversations. I post to help people, and even if we wrote this privately and you told me what you were going to and what you were looking at, I would likely (because I don't remember enough about our past conversations) tell you just to buy what you think will work for you that will save you the most money. Now, onto a post above that I really want to talk about!!! -Ray 1
gcman68 Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 I use the Avallo with the 4 canisters and additional fans and have no complaints. I went a little overboard and put a canister (two likely would have worked) on each shelf along with the additional fans and best I can tell I have a pretty stable humidity throughout. I also like the ability to easily adjust the humidity accordingly which this time of year is great with my temps in the 58-60F range.
irratebass Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 ... that discussion must go to email, but if you are settled there is not much point in going over the details of what you want to quote! I don't run a point and click business. I solve specific problems with technology, engineering and parts. My model is to fix problems, not sell something with no guidance that might not work for a person. To tell you the truth, if all you want is to adjust rH in a net rH lossy environment, these are likely a good choice for the money! You see, this is what I do... I don't sell products per say; I listen, analyze and advise. A small percentage of the people who contact me really need what I sell, I take them to the cleaners... -LOL (not really!) Frankly this is a good spot for one of my customs to come to the table and tell you what I do, but I will not force that hand. I have a 'few' in this group but they move around like most other BB entheusiasts. There is a lot of stuff out there mate and if you look into the crappy Chinese controller market you can find stuff for a song! It is not that some of these solutions won't or cannot work. I say crappy because I know the the reason why I sell what I sell, why I need it. I know that you don't get something for nothing. I know how to use specific technology and when and were to use the programming and logic options. I have analyzed a lot of different products on the market from a lot of different makers... If I wanted to sell "cheap stuff" a few days of research could net me an entire product line... One problem that I still see a lot of, even the guy who buys cheap stuff, expects it to work like expensive stuff! The guy who buys cheap stuff, still wants it to work. The thing is mate, I am about what I need to get a specific result... I hold that bar pretty high. People around the world are sending me data logs of the stuff they have bought, some of them 2, 3, 5 times what my stuff costs that still does not work for them... The problem is that technology is the last part that most smokers think about when they point and click or seek council of the many that build humidors. I don't really like that model, but that model is the money maker! My problem is that I am a smoker first and a humidor and controls guy, a man selling the stuff, second. When the mainstream guys in this business could not, or would not solve my problems I went out on my own. Enough about me! So if I come full circle. Have a look at this product! http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-thermometers-hygrometers/11442-515078/zoo-med-zoo-med-hygrotherm-humidity-temperature-controller.html?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KEQiAz5y1BRDZ4Z_K_eGa84cBEiQAtQkeaA6UdXalty9rWEHjf20uILo4110SDsGDNBAJ-S6ismsaAtv_8P8HAQ I mean if you are going to point and click, there is a lot of stuff out there that one can use. If precision is not your need nor desire, you don't need to spend the bread on my stuff. That is the honest truth. One last thing... I don't jump into these threads to sell things. I never sell anything off of one of these conversations. I post to help people, and even if we wrote this privately and you told me what you were going to and what you were looking at, I would likely (because I don't remember enough about our past conversations) tell you just to buy what you think will work for you that will save you the most money. Now, onto a post above that I really want to talk about!!! -Ray Thanks for the info Ray.....never dawned on me to look at the Reptile route.
CanuckSARTech Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 IMO, something is only WORTH IT (not "cheap", per say) if it: works right, leading to less hassles, and doesn't cost you excess time for fumbling and tinkering all the time works right, and doesn't ruin thousands upon thousands of cigars works right, and is accurate to the set point / RH that you want things to be at, and that works for you and your smoking preferences is flexible enough to handle a high or low cigar content within your humidor / cabinet, regardless of whatever the cigar fill percentage is in your cabinet (ie - if you have a 3000-stick count humidor, and you have it 90% full, your humidification unit will need to run differently and perform differently when compared to only 600 sticks in it and only 20% full). works right, regardless of your flucuating ambient temps and RH in your home/apartment/wherever, for YEAR-ROUND effectiveness. As you can see, "works right" for your needs is most important. Why worry about cost? You're thinking about a humidification device for THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS (potentially) worth of cigars. If you have a system that you can buy for $50, and it's a PITA to deal with, but you could instead get a $100 active unit that's AWESOME (potentially balanced with $50 worth of quality beads to help with equilibrium - EDIT - and not EFFING KITTY LITTER!!! LOL!!!), which is really the better VALUE??? 2
CanuckSARTech Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 This is what I am looking at.....http://www.avallohumidors.com/Accumonitor.html I did "skimp" when I bought my tower and just use beads, because a friend who has the same tower uses beads and convinced me "why waste $ on that system when the beads work just as well, and that's more cigars you could be buying?" I fell for it. I was using an Oasis Xl, which was working, but not the best, so I decided to try the beads for a year....they have worked, but again not the best. I have also been toying around with the idea of using Bovedas, but that looks to be too costly, so throwing down $500 and being done with it is the way to go. Sorry Piggy, but I just don't know the hardware language to order one from you. I will be watching this discussion. For what it's worth, I use a mix of RH Beads and a Cigar Oasis unit. That said, the Cigar Oasis reservoir as standard is kinda junk. The green foam is meh, and molds up easily. Carve out the foam, and replace with the superabsorbent polymer crystals - moisture transfer is much better, holds more water, more mold resistant, etc., etc. Thread is here: http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=112435&hl=coolerdor 1
mash Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 IMO, something is only WORTH IT (not "cheap", per say) if it: works right, leading to less hassles, and doesn't cost you excess time for fumbling and tinkering all the time works right, and doesn't ruin thousands upon thousands of cigars works right, and is accurate to the set point / RH that you want things to be at, and that works for you and your smoking preferences is flexible enough to handle a high or low cigar content within your humidor / cabinet, regardless of whatever the cigar fill percentage is in your cabinet (ie - if you have a 3000-stick count humidor, and you have it 90% full, your humidification unit will need to run differently and perform differently when compared to only 600 sticks in it and only 20% full). works right, regardless of your flucuating ambient temps and RH in your home/apartment/wherever, for YEAR-ROUND effectiveness. As you can see, "works right" for your needs is most important. Why worry about cost? You're thinking about a humidification device for THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS (potentially) worth of cigars. If you have a system that you can buy for $50, and it's a PITA to deal with, but you could instead get a $100 active unit that's AWESOME (potentially balanced with $50 worth of quality beads to help with equilibrium), which is really the better VALUE??? This is right on. Not a place to worry primarily about price.
irratebass Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 IMO, something is only WORTH IT (not "cheap", per say) if it: works right, leading to less hassles, and doesn't cost you excess time for fumbling and tinkering all the time works right, and doesn't ruin thousands upon thousands of cigars works right, and is accurate to the set point / RH that you want things to be at, and that works for you and your smoking preferences is flexible enough to handle a high or low cigar content within your humidor / cabinet, regardless of whatever the cigar fill percentage is in your cabinet (ie - if you have a 3000-stick count humidor, and you have it 90% full, your humidification unit will need to run differently and perform differently when compared to only 600 sticks in it and only 20% full). works right, regardless of your flucuating ambient temps and RH in your home/apartment/wherever, for YEAR-ROUND effectiveness. As you can see, "works right" for your needs is most important. Why worry about cost? You're thinking about a humidification device for THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS (potentially) worth of cigars. If you have a system that you can buy for $50, and it's a PITA to deal with, but you could instead get a $100 active unit that's AWESOME (potentially balanced with $50 worth of quality beads to help with equilibrium - EDIT - and not EFFING KITTY LITTER!!! LOL!!!), which is really the better VALUE??? Yes, if it works that's what matters to me. For what it's worth, I use a mix of RH Beads and a Cigar Oasis unit. That said, the Cigar Oasis reservoir as standard is kinda junk. The green foam is meh, and molds up easily. Carve out the foam, and replace with the superabsorbent polymer crystals - moisture transfer is much better, holds more water, more mold resistant, etc., etc. Thread is here: http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=112435&hl=coolerdor I had an Oasis XL (it was on loan from a friend, and has since found it's way back to him) which didn't really work that well, I also had a Moist N Aire...I know I know, but it's what I had at that time. So after talking with a fellow BOTL who has the tower as myself...I asked him what type of humidification he uses and he said beads.....only! So, after talking to him about it I decided to try it for a year, and it works, but not great, and as I posted I am looking at and pretty much have decided on going with a S&F sys. 1
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