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Guys you know Crazy Train Mike here, well winter will be with us soon, sure doesn't seem possible now. I know this condo, it's got central forced air and gets really dry. So I'm looking to humidify safely my bedroom (guitar storage area). I'm looking at a Dyson AM10 which has an ultraviolet light that hits the water before it is turned into a mist. Anyone owning Dyson gear knows their stuff is revolutionary in it's design and build quality.
Lots of automatic features and as I said the Dyson stuff I own is top flight.
What are you using. I want the whole room humidified for many reasons, but I know these guitars will dry out if I don't jump on it now... I don't want to do individual case humidifiers, I want the whole area they are in to be aided by moist and sanitized mist.
BigLast edited by BigMikeinNJ; 08-13-2016 at 10:44 AM.
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08-13-2016 10:38 AM
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I got a couple of the Venta LW45's couldnt be more happy though I understand not everyone here on the board was as impressed as I was
I hope winter still is far away though, as summer hasnt really started here yet.....
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Interesting reviews on the product on Amazon.com
Referring to the DysonLast edited by Artpulis; 08-13-2016 at 12:16 PM.
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Have three of this for Whole House , and Filtered water
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A couple thoughts....
It only has a 0.8 gallon reservoir (in Chicago in the winter) you will be refilling it constantly. My 5.4 gallon low-tech floor unit in a 10' x 20' guitar room is good for 3-7 days depending on the weather.
The UV that they are using is effective on bacteria, but notice no mention of molds. UV can work on mold at a high enough intensity for a long enough exposure time. I doubt that system is effective on mold. I just add a bacteriostat additive and change filters to manage this risk.
The Dyson is about $500 and large low-tech wick based floor units are less than $200.
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Big... I have never used anything other than case humidifiers, but then I don't have forced hot air heating and only maintain mid-60's temps during the winter.
Do check out the Consumer Reports YT video on humidifiers; it's very informative.
I looked up their specific ratings and recommendations online (generally accessible through your local library website at no cost). The best-rated models were of the ultrasonic type and sell for ~ $30 - $65. They did not test the Dyson (but you could read the Amazon reviews as mentioned above by Artpulis).
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Could the insanely high humidity we're having in NY right now (the dew point is 76!) affect intonation?
I found the intonation on a new guitar I bought was very flat in the middle of a gig.
When I got home, I spent an hour moving the bridge so everything was in tune on the 12th fret.
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Has your neck relief changed with the humidity?
Originally Posted by sgcim
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Originally Posted by sgcim
yeah the neck moved with the humidity change...a trussrod tweak would have done the trick...possible when the humidity goes down (after the hot spell you're havin') it will move again and throw off your new bridge positioning!..
cheers
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Yeah, I was afraid of that! Another hour of moving the bridge... Originally Posted by neatomic
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This is what I use (Vornado Evap3):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00826ORV2
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Mikey
I agree that less than 1 gallon tank means you will doing laps. The one I have is 6 gallons uses a18$ wick and cost $129. Very reliable. I'll attach a link later. I'm out right now using this stupid phone.
Joe D
AIRCARE 831000 Space-Saver Evaporative Humidifier, White
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WAC9VKQ..._g86RxbXQR5M3Z
the beauty of this one is you fill it from the top/front with a 5 gallon bucket.. Can't beat it.Last edited by Max405; 08-13-2016 at 07:41 PM.
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Looks like getting the one you got Joe would be the smart move for the bedroom, and use the Dyson in the living room. Not only will it humidify my guitars but it will help with my breathing.
Thanks gents for all the input...
Big
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I don't use anything. I live near Galveston Bay, and if anything we could use a dehumidifier. Sometimes it gets down near 40F in the winter, but when it does it's usually raining. These days it's near 100F, with ~80% humidity, sometimes higher on both. If the humidity ever gets below 50%, summer or winter or in between, it's reported on the news.
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If you have central air have you thought about a steam humidifier attached to your furnace. I have a Honeywell true steam and it keeps my entire house at 50% humidity all year long. No water to add you just have to change a cartridge once a year for 80 bucks. Not that hard to install if you are handyman inclined.
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500 bucks for a room humidifer ? Thats an insane price ?
Keep in mind that the forced air heating system with sweep the humidified air out of the room and blend with all the rest of the air in the house. It is not easy to control humidity in just one room in a house with a forced air heating system.
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Originally Posted by va3ux
For the Dyson I paid $300.00 - my Mom taught me to shop for a good price.
The Aircare 38100 will be in the bedroom near the closets the guitars are in, the vents for the room are on the far side away from the closets. The Aircare 38100 has an automatic recognition feature that turns off the humidifier when the room has reached the desired humidity. I've got Accurite humidity and temp gauges ordered for the doors of the guitar closets that show not only the current temp and humidity but a low and high for each value. Got one for my new cigar cooler cabinet too.
https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00613...4493MK00FKP8M5
The Dyson will do a decent job in the living room and look good doing it.
Again fellas thanks for your advice.
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 08-14-2016 at 10:24 AM.
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So I got the big unit here, the Aircare 83100, but what I need to ask NOW is what type of water do you use in YOURS and what percent humidity target range do you like to keep your guitars in. Right now the quick read temp and humidity gauge I have hanging in the closet says the humidity is 57% and the range is up or down a few percent over the last 24 hours...
We have old pipes in this condo (built in 1969) and there's some buildup of minerals in them. So do you use water purifiers. At 5-6 gallons a week in the dead of winter buying bottled purified or distilled water is not something I want to do. A Britta pitcher might work but for now I am using a real simple trick guys use to keep their cabinet cigar humidors moist: a sponge in a plastic container with a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and propylene glycol - for humidors it keeps them at 68% perfect for cuban cigars.
Thoughts, comments, obsessive compulsive behavior patterns welcomed.
Big
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Mike,
Use regular tap water. The filter will cake up with the mineral deposits and you just throw them out.
You will go through 2 $12 filters a year.
No worries.
JD
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I also use tap water. I start using my unit in late September and use it through late April early May. I use three filters per season (https://www.essickair.com/1041.html) at about $60/year. They last 8-12 weeks with my water. As Joe said, their wicking performance degrades as mineral deposits develop.
I also use 1 quart of bacterostatic water treatment (https://www.essickair.com/7v1970.html) at about $8/year. My unit has two 2-3/4 gallon reservoirs and each takes a cap of the treatment. So about $70 a year to protect my guitars.
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Cool, so I don't have to spend any money on filtering the water. Excellent !!
Now what is the ideal humidity level you guys strive for in your guitar storage area ??
Big
thanks !!!!
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In the summer 50%.
in the winter, 40-45%. If you can do this, the guitars will think they live in San Francisco. And they will last forever.
Patrick kept those guitars at 35%. Was there a couple of times in the winter, I saw it.
JD
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Mike, I target 45% RH +/- 5%. I suggest having a few hydometers (I have two plus the built in one in the humidifier) because they are notoriously inaccurate and require calibration. My guitars sound best toward the lower end of the generally acceptable range of 40-60% RH.
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