D'addario Humipak

[Sandstorm]

Can those D'addario Humipaks replace the need for a dehumidifier?  I understand they can hydrate the instrument when needed and absorb moisture when required.  I have my music room on the main floor and the immediate area under my music room is a crawlspace, not a basement which I think due to temperature changes in the ground have more influence over the humidity...maybe I'm wrong.  In SW Ontario right now it is kind of a wonky time of year for temperatures.

I have a dehumidifier in the room because I'm more concerned with high humidity then dry air...even in the winter it doesn't get very dry.  Right now, with two analog hygrometers to monitor, I can maintain 55 RH.  The dehumidifier is on all the time...it kicks off for a second only to start back up 3 seconds later.  Also, it's not like I have to empty the water frequently either...seems like the humidifier is working all the time only to extract very little water every week.

If I turn it off, humidity might creep up to 60 which I understand is high for acoustic instruments.  My hope is that a two way humipak will eliminate the need for a dehumidifier in the room or at least for it not to be on all the damn time.  Any experience with the humipak for this purpose?

[B0WIE]

If it's extreme humidity, you'll be burning through packs. Best to get it in the ballpark if you can. That said, 60% isn't terrible. On the high side but not too concerning.

[StringPicker6]

They are meant to absorb excess humidity also.  However, there's a limit to everything. 

[Queequeg]

I'm rather surprised that you can maintain a RH of 50-55% in the winter time in Ontario.
How do you heat your home?

[Sandstorm]

I'm rather surprised that you can maintain a RH of 50-55% in the winter time in Ontario.
How do you heat your home?

Natural gas hot water radiators.  Last couple winters have been rather mild.  I'm sure it's a different story if we got those -20c weeks at a time.

If I had the 2 way humipak, how do you tell when it can't absorb humidity anymore and needs to be changed?

[B0WIE]

Natural gas hot water radiators.  Last couple winters have been rather mild.  I'm sure it's a different story if we got those -20c weeks at a time.

If I had the 2 way humipak, how do you tell when it can't absorb humidity anymore and needs to be changed?

You need a decent hygrometer. Or two.

[Queequeg]

You need a decent hygrometer. Or two.

Sandstorm says he's got two of them, but something sounds weird there.
Maintains RH55 in Ontario w/o a humidifier.
I'm not that far away and even with my humidifier I can't get to 40% in the winter time burning natural gas for heat or my windows will get condensated.

[Pilgrim]

Just a couple of quick comments.  I've experienced fairly wide variations in hygrometer readings of different hygrometer that are sitting side by side.  When I see readings 10% or more apart, I don't know how they can be trusted.

Many years ago, I had the interior linings of two premium hardshell cases badly stained by Humidipacks.  And any others had the same problem.  I believe they subsequently changed the chemical makeup of the Humidipacks, so hopefully the problem no longer exists.  But I've not used them since.

[Queequeg]

As batteries degrade, so goes hygrometer reliability.

[William2]

There is currently a post on AGF regarding leaking D'Addario Humipaks.

[Queequeg]

who do you trust?