Two stage humidification

[RobBooth]

Apologies if this has been covered. I've tried searching but couldn't find a thread.

In setting up a new humidor I remembered reading or hearing about two-stage humidifcation, or at least I thought that's what it was called.
The idea is you have your humidifiers with beads or whatever and compliment that with Boveda 65 packs. When the humidity goes above 65% the Boveda packs absorb the water in the air but give it out when the humidity drops below 65 ensuring your humidor is always at the right humidity.

The only potential issue I could see is if the humidity is over 65% and the Boveda packs are already fully charged and can't absorb any more water? Does anyone (does everyone) use this technique?

Cheers

Rob

[Mike72]

The only potential issue I could see is if the humidity is over 65% and the Boveda packs are already fully charged and can't absorb any more water? Does anyone (does everyone) use this technique?

I do, but I am using 5x 60g 69%.

Are you using 60g or 8g Boveda?

[cj121]

I think this refers to a kind of buffering between the two 'systems' if you like Rob. It would be a bit of a safety measure if one system is lagging or not up to scratch for whatever reason. Ideally, if either humidifying component is working properly, they would absorb and desorb correctly. It does no harm to have both as long as they're in the same RH range and an increase in whatever medium(s) you have will compensate for fluctuations when opening the unit for example.

A fully charged boveda would likely be one that couldn't physically 'fit' any more water in it and you'd notice that way before it burst if that's your concern. However, I don't know enough about how bovedas operate at that capacity and the amount of dilution in a pack may actually impact upon their efficiency if at a critical level. I might be over thinking there though

I don't have any 65% Bovedas, but if I did, I'd pop them in with my beads and not worry about it.

[RobBooth]

I think buffering is the best way to describe it, playing off against each other to always ensure the optimum humidity.

I've got three 60g Bovedas in there at the moment. They were beginning to harden a tad before I put them into my new humidor but they're bringing the humidity down and so should be recharging as they do so.

[Serhiy]

My Boveda 60g 65% show me 61-62% humidity inside my box of 22. I checked twice with analogue and digital hygrometers.

[PeeJay]

My Boveda 60g 65% show me 61-62% humidity inside my box of 22. I checked twice with analogue and digital hygrometers.

Is your box wooden? If so that would be right. You need to allow 2-3% for the wood, best to use 69% sachets if you're aiming for 65% in a wooden humidor.

[Serhiy]

Is your box wooden? If so that would be right. You need to allow 2-3% for the wood, best to use 69% sachets if you're aiming for 65% in a wooden humidor.

Yes my box is wooden. Thank you for good advice I will try 69%.

[Ben4watches]

I run a similar setup.

4 x 72% Bovidas in the lid and 2 jars of Xikar clear in the bottom of the Humi.

For ref it's a wooden 150 count humi and this little lot maintains 68-69% RH.

Thus may sound over the top but I only have around 30ish sticks at present so a lot of empty spec yo keep under control.