Humidipacks Question

[midnightright]

Does anybody know if it's ok, for them to freeze while sitting in the mailbox if not home when delivered? This is the first time I've used them. It's a replacement pack of 12, from D'Addario. Also, does anybody know if you can use the products interchangeably with Boveda's? Thanks! (they're currently being "transferred to another carrier from USPS as of early this morning in my local place). That could mean: today/tonight/or tomorrow. Who knows? Maybe Monday! Lucky me, if it's not ok to leave them unattended outside when it's cold, or as in below freezing (with, or without 'windchill').

 

[Boneman]

I use the humidipaks and am generally happy with them. I would think freezing them is a bad idea, intentionally or not. You could probably ask D’Addario about that. As for Boveda, yes, I believe they are the exact same product, meaning D’Addario white labeled them. I buy the large box, and if I feel a guitar needs extra humidity, I’ll get a few 72%ers and put one in the mix

 

[chazmo]

That's a worthy question since if the absorption material has any water in it it will freeze and expand. I doubt it matters, but like I said a worthy question. Let us know what D'Addario tells you!

 

[midnightright]

https://support.daddario.com/hc/en-us/articles/11915969870740-My-Humidipaks-were-left-outside-in-the-cold-and-froze-Can-I-still-use-them-

 

[midnightright]

Thanks for the additional help, tips & info.! From what I understand, although it is apparently less common than it was once before, if they begin to leak, you really don't want what's inside running into or making contact with your guitar. So I'm trying to figure out some of the better &/or best ways to avoid the string-suspension thing. But I'm not sure there are any (that would work as well, or effectively). In the past, with my given environment, the soap dish with two big holes drilled out & sponge placed underneath the headstock have done the trick. Though these will be a new experience.

 

[midnightright]

I was initially using the Restore option. So I just placed all 3 packs (two combined pouches) under that area in the case. And now it looks, or appears as if the semi coming apart lining from case (glue failing at seems/sides) is only getting worse. So I may have overdone it at the start here (of the season!)? Well will monitor & see. I've never used a hygrometer, but I also don't think I've ever gone too terribly wrong in either direction, humidity-wise, just based off symptoms of how my guitar has been behaving, or functioning during that period of time. I generally stayed on top of them, though, prior to these. Now I have the other ones, Maintain.

 

[Bernie]

As ice takes more space than the equivalent water I believe, freezing might damage the cover and therefore some leaking would happen possibly or even likely. I think this must be the explanation...
Yes d'Addario's humidipaks are made by Boveda

 

[chazmo]

My advice: Get a hygrometer and return/replace any of your humidipaks that have any sign of disfigurement. As Bernie said, ice expands, so that may have caused damage.

 

[midnightright]

My advice: Get a hygrometer and return/replace any of your humidipaks that have any sign of disfigurement. As Bernie said, ice expands, so that may have caused damage.

Thanks, a luthier told me once, that the one he’d used in his basement was scientific grade, or rated… something like that? But that I wouldn’t need to get one like that. I just don’t want to lose any more of the inside of my ohsc to the d25. It’s gotten very progressively worse ever since the summer, so I don’t know how much of it was me, with these pacs, or the weather from last summer. Answer’s probably some combination of both. But I may just attempt a reglue at some point so finish doesn’t get scraped.

 

[SFIV1967]

As for Boveda, yes, I believe they are the exact same product, meaning D’Addario white labeled them.

Yes d'Addario's humidipaks are made by Boveda

Boveda Inc., formerly known as Humidipak Inc., actually owns the patent:

US5936178A - Humidity control device - Google Patents

A humidity control device for use in maintaining a desired humidity, the device including a protective case, a water vapor permeable pouch and a thickened saturated solution, the solution having a suitable humidity control point.

patents.google.com

Boveda (company) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Ralf

 

[midnightright]

The guy at the store where I got them (the original restore kit w/pouches) said that he, himself uses the older kind, with the tray that you refill and have to stay on top of, which he then puts in betw. the strings. I don't have any experience with those, and I'm sure they work well, if not better (though require greater upkeep). But I'm curious after reading various reports of first-hand reviews of how they did or did not work, in conditions similar to mine. If I get crack, then I guess I'll find out..

 

[Bernie]

I was initially using the Restore option. So I just placed all 3 packs (two combined pouches) under that area in the case. And now it looks, or appears as if the semi coming apart lining from case (glue failing at seems/sides) is only getting worse. So I may have overdone it at the start here (of the season!)? Well will monitor & see. I've never used a hygrometer, but I also don't think I've ever gone too terribly wrong in either direction, humidity-wise, just based off symptoms of how my guitar has been behaving, or functioning during that period of time. I generally stayed on top of them, though, prior to these. Now I have the other ones, Maintain.

Humidipacks are supposed to work both ways, add moisture when needed, but prevent to have too much as well when it's too wet. I read from people using it though, that it doesn't work as well when it comes to taking moisture away...
The issue may well have only been a glue issue too. What guitar or case is it ?

 

[midnightright]

Oh, Hi & thanks Bernie! I was talking about the inside felt lining to the OHSC w/the mid 90's D-25. It started just around the edges at the top (lid). And now is beginning to separate as well, in those same areas (the edges) on the bottom - of the case.

 

[Bernie]

Normally Humidipacks shouldn't be the culprits. Does it gets very hot where you live (glue may fail if very very hot, or if HSC would be left in a car under the sun for a long time, for instance). As long as the guitar is well, it's nothing too bad (a little glue would do)...
I had some serious problems with loose bindings on a Martin guitar, wondered about moisture causing it, but it turned out it's an issue with inappropriate glue (many other guitars of the same kind and period having it too). Had a minor problem with that guitar's handle too when glue failed and some foam inside went away !!

It would be interesting still to know about humidity's rate though (would have to be very high and for a long time though)

 

[midnightright]

Okay, that is all very fine & good to know, then @Bernie - as I simply was not sure. I picked it up only a little while ago, and when it arrived from the upper-east coast, it had already started on this journey of case lining failure. I'd say the summer elements here, while not as bad or severe as there, during the summer. Are most definitely worse in the winter! Though over the course of the summer it did begin to continue on down its already well-established path, and so it's been difficult to decipher which it's been. But your info. is very helpful to narrow down & perhaps eliminate that as a necessary culprit. And yes! I've hear all about those Martin bindings. So sorry to hear you've encountered them too. That's what I've heard, that it is the change in formula of the glue, in efforts to save employees' health, that led to this failure. Talk about a nightmare. But hopefully, you'd like to think by now, and I've heard it cited elsewhere that it began as far back as '13... that they've at least figured this out & solved it. So that if you are buying a new one - you shouldn't have to suffer such Fate. It seems a great hassle one shouldn't have to deal with, regardless of how minor.