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With a certain amount of bi-daily checking I can keep my basement shop between 40 - 50% using a large humidifier. However, the temperature and humidity outside are swinging wildly and it takes a lot of TLC to keep things just so.

I know there has to be some kind of control out there that will automatically turn on and shut off the humidifier when it reaches desired levels. Does anyone know what one of these is called, and where to get one?

Ideally, what would be great is an "extension cord" with one of these on it that I could just connect between the humidifier and the outlet.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Brock,

Spendy, but looks like what you want.

Jeff

Humidistat

[QUOTE=Jeff Doty] Brock,

Spendy, but looks like what you want.

Jeff

[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the link Jeff. The price isn't all that bad when I start adding up the price of wood I've got stashed

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

[QUOTE=Jeff Doty] Brock,

Spendy, but looks like what you want.

Jeff

Humidistat[/QUOTE]


Bingo... exactly what I am looking for. Thanks.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Theoretically, you could set one at 42 percent, the humidifier, and the other at 47 percent the dehumidifier, and you'd get an average RH close to perfection.

I just monitor mine once daily, and let weekends care for themselves. In a perfect world a tool to control both and empty the water bucket and fill the humidifier, would be great.

That shouldn't be too hard... (in theory) a mechanism like a toilet bowl float (or a sump pump float and switch) to fill it,

and a hose running from the bottom of the bucket in the dehumidifier to a floor drain (or sump pump if you are in a basement like I am)...

But these ideas are just that.... I have not tried a practical application of them... not yet anyway.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

My humidifier (GE-Holmes of the Walmart variety) keeps my shop (in the basement) between 42% and 47% on a fairly even basis. I leave a fan running to blow against the window because with sub-zero weather outside it acts as a dehumidifier. I could use the dehumidifying during the summer but can't get those really cold days then, rats! I sometimes have a conflict between my digital and analog hygrometers. I believe the digital one takes temperature into account and that gives a different reading. I keep my tops and backs in a steel storage cabinet and have humidified them by two margarine containers with sponges in them. One is open and the other has lid with holes punched in it. Worked great. If humidity to low at that point I put in a 60 watt light bulb (turned on of course, trouble light)and that would bring up the humidity.

Just got the Humidistat mentioned above and so far it seems to work great!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Guys, most humidifiers have a humidistat built in, mine is old and has one. Same with the dehumidifier, digital touchpads set it and it does it's thing, humidistat controls it. So, it would have to be wired direct to be controlled by an outside humidistat. Maybe there are units out there that aren't automatic, I've just never seen one. I even scratch the dial on the analog humidifier control to see where perfect is. The outside conditions control what's happenning inside to a great degree. With a recent temp of 13.8 Degrees F I couldn't get the house past 22 percent RH. My shop however, with smaller space, fogged my cold glasses as I walked into the perfect 45 % RH. I don't get up tight if it gets off by 10 percent. Say my bucket is full and autostop has it, I just dump and let'er fly.

Well my humidty stays a pretty constant 43% in my basement workshop. However, the wife keeps the house to cold for my comfort. I was in the market for a new space heater and came across this one. Just set up today and I'll let you know how it works out.
heater/humdifier

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

I am using it in conjunction with a space heater that keeps my "show" room warm at night as it gets in the 40's and 50's at night( sometimes - this time of year). Since my "show" room is where I keep all curing work, I need to keep the temp as consistent as possible. The heater shuts off at the right temp but also makes the whole room too dry. Since I don't have a humidifier ( kind of silly for Florida) I can shut off the heater when it brings the hummidity down too low. That sacrifices the temp control but at least my guitars don't wind up looking like a box of raisins.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"