Calibrating a Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer

[smfamf]

How do I calibrate a combo unit. I know it is on BYC somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere.

Can someone tell me how or lead me in the right direction towards the answer?

 

[Hoosiermomma]

Where do you even get something like that ?

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Not sure if you can calibrate the thermometer . . . the manual that came with it should say. All hygrometers can be calibrated by sticking them in a plastic bag with a moist mixture of salt (about a tablespoon of salt and a drop or two of water). The humidity should read 75%, if I remember correctly. Here is a pretty good explanation.

 

[2txmedics]

I have this one:

and do it the way the SEA MAN measure humidity....1/2 salt, 1/4 water in a cup...stir heavy until dissolved, place the cup in a zip lock bag, next to it also in the bag, place your meter...seal it and leave it for 12hrs...

at the end of the 12hrs...it should read 75% if not then your gonna have to add or minus the % off...mine is off 8% so I have to add 8% to my readings to get the correct one.

 

[GreenGoddess]

Being that I just had to do this with mine, the salt is not supposed to be dissolved... Use 1 tsp of salt and add just enough water (a few drops) to make it the consistency of wet sand... put it in a small cap or lid and place it and the hygrometer into a ziplock bag and seal it, leaving air in the bag... Wait 6 - 8 hours.. It should read 75% humidity but most likely it won't.. Mine showed 67% which means when I want 60% humidity, i need the hygrometer to show 52% or 8% less.

Goddess

 

[smfamf]

I want to thank all of you for your quick replies. I have two thermometor/hygrometer combos exactly like the one in the pic above. I bought mine off of ebay. My husband trashed the manuals before I had a chance to look at them.

I knew it took salt and water in a bag but I didn't know how much or how long.

 

[Cetawin]

I have the same one...the only one I could find in wal-mart. I am calibrating it right now because it said the temp was 102 and humidity was 54% and I know better...two other thermometers in the incubator read 100 and 99.5 and therewas not that much humidty in there when I opened it to take it out.

*sigh*

 

[2txmedics]

dont you just hate that, you buy something and you expect it to work...mine makes me think now, I have to add 8% to my readings....I had problems with my first hatch...2 babies were sickly and the shell was stuck to them, and dry...now I know why...poor babies didnt make it past 2-3 days each.

 

[GreenGoddess]

Quote:
You saved me from having the same thing happen.. Thank you soooo much for your message last night.. I would never have thought it was off as much as it is... But right now, it's holding steady at 101.7 with 42% humidity which is perfect for the meter I got since it's off... Now, if I can hold it steady like that tomorrow when it's warmer in here, I'll be happy! lol Been watching it like a hawk and add a few teaspoons of water or open/close vent holes when anything changes and it's been keeping it pretty steady.. Especially since i pretty much wrapped the whole thing in more cardboard to insulate it better...

Goddess

 

[2txmedics]

Thats good, Im glad I could help!...yes, dont open the bator if you dont have too....put water in through the bator holes that you made...for me, its on top where it has those tiny holes, I use an IV CATH...to do it.

this way I dont lose temp/humidity by opening it.