Optimal Humidity Target for Dehumidifier?

[duckspeaks]

Finally bought the humidifier that I have been considering for a long time. Australia, being the driest continent still has a humid period. Winter is above freezing point but also the raining season.

Is there a target relative humidity value I should aspire for?

It is a Delonghi machine. I can either choose “smart mode” to let the machine make it “comfortable for humans” or set a target humidity percentage value.

Without the machine, relative humidity has shot up to 79% so far with door and windows closed. As the weather cools down (from summer) I’ll need to open the windows more often, letting in more moisture from outside.

Thanks in advance!

[Biagio]

Depends somewhat on the harp model: those with aircraft grade laminate boards such as Dusty Ravennas and the Allegro/Crescendo are less prone to humidity “issues” than those with solid wood boards. Gut is more susceptible than nylon and fluorocarbon even less than nylon.

As a general rule though if you are comfortable your harp should be too. If humidity and temperature fluctuate widely (usually overnight) you may have to tune more often but not a big deal. Here where I live (the US Puget Sound region) relative humidity may fluctuate between 60% and 75% (sometimes as high as 80% and as low as 50%) and in winter I have to live with imprecise forced air heaters. No problems there either (though I’d rather have radiant heaters!).

Biagio

[duckspeaks]

Dear Biagio,

Thanks for your reply.

I have different ones. If there is no one number to aspire for, I’ll let it run on smart mode when I feel the need to use it. Got 3 hygrometers around (and they all have their own opinions!!).

[wil-weten]

I just found an elaborate and illuminating article on the question of humidy and dryness in relationship to harps at the website of Dusty Strings at:
https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/blog/how-keep-your-harp-or-hammered-dulcimer-safe-cracking-winter-months

I myself keep my harps between 40% and 60% of relative humidity. Where I live, this means that, depending on the season, I sometimes need to moisturize the room and sometimes to demoisturize the room.

Like Biago, I believe that as long as you yourself feel comfortable, your harp feels comfortable too. Also, I think that a stable environment in which you try to prevent fast occurring extremes in temperature and moist (like when one decides to go and play outsiede, is really important.

[balfour-knight]

I agree, between 40 and 60 percent humidity is very good, and please get an accurate digital hygrometer, since the others vary widely, you know!
Harp Hugs,
Balfour

[duckspeaks]

Thanks Wil-Weten and Balfour-Knight for article and calling out the range.

My several hygrometers (all but one are digital) differs a lot but mostly within a 10% range. Most consumer grade ones are +/- quite a few percents and between any two they could differ by 2 X of that variance (when one over reports and the other under reports) plus significant mis-calibration margins.

They also differ very significantly in the rate of change.

The de-humidifier’s own measurement is again totally different.

So I now see the desired range as a rough guide only. If no one sleeps in the room and doors+ windows are closed, it can’t wonder too far off. Without a snow season here, my main concern is the moist spells.

It is seldom too dry but if it were, I would think twice before turning on the humidifier, which is possibly too fast acting.

Thanks again!

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