I've put a couple of posts out there asking about calibrating a hygrometer with Heartfelt beads. Most of the responses I got were to the effect of "it should work, but do a salt test anyway."
Well, I did, and here's what I came up with.
Hygrometer
Diamond Crown, looks like this:
Bead Calibration
65% beads from Heartfelt (Thanks Viper)
Procedure: I put the Hygrometer directly into the plastic bag the beads were shipped in and left it in there for one day.
Result: 65%, right on the money.
Salt Test
Procedure: Used the method below as posted by n2advnture in this thread
How to Test and Calibrate a Hygrometer:
1. Fill a small container with salt (milk bottle cap or ketchup cup works well)
2. Add a few drops of distilled water. NOT enough to dissolve the salt, just enough to moisten it. You want the mixture to be thick and pasty.
3. Put the cap inside of an air tight zip lock bag or plastic container along with your hygrometer. Then seal the bag or container. (Tupperware works well).
4. Wait 24 hours, then check the reading on your hygrometer without opening the bag or container (or quickly open the container and check if the container is not clear).
I my only deviation was using 2 ziplock bags to double bag.
Result: 75%, right on.
Conclusion
Both the bead calibration and the salt test produced the same results. While the salt test was easy, testing with beads was even easier, and based on my results, accurate.
If anybody else has tried this, please post your results.
Well, I did, and here's what I came up with.
Hygrometer
Diamond Crown, looks like this:
Bead Calibration
65% beads from Heartfelt (Thanks Viper)
Procedure: I put the Hygrometer directly into the plastic bag the beads were shipped in and left it in there for one day.
Result: 65%, right on the money.
Salt Test
Procedure: Used the method below as posted by n2advnture in this thread
How to Test and Calibrate a Hygrometer:
1. Fill a small container with salt (milk bottle cap or ketchup cup works well)
2. Add a few drops of distilled water. NOT enough to dissolve the salt, just enough to moisten it. You want the mixture to be thick and pasty.
3. Put the cap inside of an air tight zip lock bag or plastic container along with your hygrometer. Then seal the bag or container. (Tupperware works well).
4. Wait 24 hours, then check the reading on your hygrometer without opening the bag or container (or quickly open the container and check if the container is not clear).
I my only deviation was using 2 ziplock bags to double bag.
Result: 75%, right on.
Conclusion
Both the bead calibration and the salt test produced the same results. While the salt test was easy, testing with beads was even easier, and based on my results, accurate.
If anybody else has tried this, please post your results.