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?

[Sandstorm]

I have a quality analog hygrometer I hang on an interior wall and it is what I usually go by, I have a second cheap analog one I place in a table or in the case once in a while for curiosity and they are usually with in 5 to 10% of each other.  The digital read on the dehumidifier I definately don't trust because it will say 30RH when the others say 55RH.

The house is older and maybe the rads arent the most efficient, at least not in all parts of the house.  With most of the house under the main floor being an unfinished crawlspace, I don't think it's a miracle that 55RH can be maintained.

I used to use the Oasis humidifiers until after several years the material let a couple drops out the bottom, then I stopped using those and opted for the sponges.  I was hoping the humipaks were going to be reliable for humidity changes either way but I don't want anything leaking into my Larrivee.

[Bikebender]

My Guitar Display Case

Frugality is the mother of invention.  For $2000 to $5000 you too can have a custom made controlled atmosphere guitar display case or you can make one of these.   

Similar buffet display cabinets can be found on Marketplace c/w lights for $50. to $200. and with a few mods can be converted to a display case for 3 or 4 guitars.  Just remove the glass shelves and supports, add a rest bar with sliding neck yokes, a piece of carpet for the guitars to stand on and felt bumpers around the doors to prevent dings.  This one also has a DIY humidifier currently standing behind the D28 in the centre and an RH gauge on the ledge.  The guitars are easy to access and there is no danger of crashing a case lid or clasp onto the soundboard.

My humidifier consists of a 2L polyethylene (Tupperware) container with a computer fan mounted over a hole near the top.  The fan is powered by a 120v to 12v DC power brick.  To make it more effective the inside of the container is lined with an absorbent humidifier filter pad.  In the winter it runs 24/7 and  needs filling to below the bottom of the fan every 3 or 4 days to keep the RH above 55%. If you over fill you will need to acquire a new fan and cleanup the mess.

 

[StringPicker6]

Very cool!! Thanks for sharing!

[John in Charm City]

There really is no limit to what can be achieved with kitchen cabinets, imagination and a good hardware store.  My project from a few years ago.  Boveda packs provided the humidity control (along with a lot of foam window weather strips).

John

[StringPicker6]

Gorgeous!! Now I have the itch to try and build one. I've always kept my guitars in their cases, but a display case looks fantastic.