(01-02-2016, 10:29 PM)MaytagMan Wrote: Okay... first off, are you sure about your cubic feet?   In the link that you posted, it show the unit as 72" x 24" x 16.5"

72 x 24 x 16.5 = 28,512 cubic inches.  28,512 / 1728 = 16.5 cubic feet.

In any case, you can go passive or active.

If you get sufficient heartfelt beads and have the fans you mentioned running, you should be able to keep it rock solid.   I would divide the beads between the top, middle, and very bottom shelves, and orient the fans for proper air flow.  As with any bead setup, more surface area exposure = more efficiency, so have containers that keep the beads as shallow as possible (meaning longer and wider containers are better as they allow more of the beads to be exposed to the air)

Probably about $100-125 worth of beads to really get you set.   2-2.5 lbs total.

I've had no personal experience with the Hydra nor the CO, but I did some reading, and the consensus seems to be that they both work well.  The CO is said to be better built, and the Hydra's humidification adjustment is very sensitive.  People with both modify their cartridges by taking the green foam out and replace it with beads. Saves having to keep replacing the cartridge.   Even with those, I would still keep your fans in there to make sure that the air is circulating.   Oh, and make sure you calibrate them or test them so you know how off they are so that you can account for it in where you set the unit.   They can be off.   Once you know the drift and account for it, you can use your digi hygros to monitor.

Best of luck!

(01-02-2016, 11:07 PM)Jimmie the Mum Wrote: Chris got something for his cabinet. I have to talk to him and have him respond here.

(01-02-2016, 11:34 PM)Tonto Wrote:

(01-02-2016, 10:29 PM)MaytagMan Wrote: Okay... first off, are you sure about your cubic feet?   In the link that you posted, it show the unit as 72" x 24" x 16.5"

72 x 24 x 16.5 = 28,512 cubic inches.  28,512 / 1728 = 16.5 cubic feet.

In any case, you can go passive or active.

If you get sufficient heartfelt beads and have the fans you mentioned running, you should be able to keep it rock solid.   I would divide the beads between the top, middle, and very bottom shelves, and orient the fans for proper air flow.  As with any bead setup, more surface area exposure = more efficiency, so have containers that keep the beads as shallow as possible (meaning longer and wider containers are better as they allow more of the beads to be exposed to the air)

Probably about $100-125 worth of beads to really get you set.   2-2.5 lbs total.

I've had no personal experience with the Hydra nor the CO, but I did some reading, and the consensus seems to be that they both work well.  The CO is said to be better built, and the Hydra's humidification adjustment is very sensitive.  People with both modify their cartridges by taking the green foam out and replace it with beads. Saves having to keep replacing the cartridge.   Even with those, I would still keep your fans in there to make sure that the air is circulating.   Oh, and make sure you calibrate them or test them so you know how off they are so that you can account for it in where you set the unit.   They can be off.   Once you know the drift and account for it, you can use your digi hygros to monitor.

Best of luck!

Yeah, I'm sure of the cubic feet.  The dimensions given are overall & don't take in the height of the legs, the wall thicknesses, & the top.

The actual internal dimensions are approx 14.25" x 14.5" x 58"

I haven't much luck using just beads & fans.  I'm leaning towards one of the larger CO Magna model, but I'm worried if it's over kill.
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/humidification/81324/cigar-oasis-magna-humidifier/#p-151555
It does come with 2 extra external fans.

The office of CO is actually near me, about 10 minutes away.  They usually don't sell from there.  I'm thinking of giving them a call, or maybe just stopping by to ask them a few questions.

(01-07-2016, 06:01 PM)scott81425 Wrote: Have you talked to CO? They were great when mine failed long after the warranty had run out. I sent mine in, they sent me a replacement. I have the regular hydra. It works ok for me in the summer, when my swamper increases the humidity in the house to a normal level, but in the winter I have to put lots of cups of gel in the humidor to help it maintain. I also have to have the adjustment know turned all the way down and set it to somewhere above 80. Just to keep it at about 66-68. Also I hate how it doesn't turn on automatically. Like after a power outage or if it gets unplugged. I have to rearrange all my boxes to reach it and turn it back on. And I know when I bought it, they said it had a lifetime warranty. But now that's changed. They say it was only 1 year. Overall, I'm not entirely dissatisfied with it, it was included with my humidor (I think anyway, I don't recall purchasing it) but if I had to do it again I might pay for an upgrade.