[CAUT] Dampp-Chaser - half system installation...

[Jeff Tanner]

I agree David,
I only install full systems in certain situations where I am confident the system will be well monitored.  Even then, I'm not sure the humidification portion is needed, and we've had instances in our part of the world where mold and mildew have formed under the pianos with full systems.  Generally, I've found that dehumidification-only systems -- well installed -- are adequate, and particulary much more cost effective.

Jeff Tanner
Lexington, SC
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Love 
  To: Cy Shuster ; caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 11:37 AM
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Dampp-Chaser - half system installation...


  I rarely install the humidification part of the system here in San Francisco because the humidity rarely dips below 45% and I see no reason to have tank of water sitting under the piano that will serve no functional purpose.  Moreover, DC sells a dehumidification only humidistat presumably because they assume there are situations where that will be the only part of the system required.  Similarly, if you reside out in the desert or some other similarly constantly dry climate I would see no reason to install the dehumification part of the system--though with virtually no maintenance required for that part it probably wouldn't matter.  



  Bottom line, if the situation calls for one half of the system I see no problem in doing that.  

  David Love
  www.davidlovepianos.com
  415 661 3666

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: "Cy Shuster" <cy at shusterpiano.com>
  To: caut at ptg.org
  Sent: Saturday, November 8, 2008 8:26:39 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Dampp-Chaser - half system installation...

   

  In my opinion, there is little if anything to gain, and much to be lost by installing any partial Piano Life Saver System.

  There is substantial risk to the piano: the system is extensively tested as a whole, and is designed to continuously cycle between wet and dry, to enhance air flow.  Half a system is like the cruise control in cars: it can accelerate, but can't brake.  To slow down, it has to rely on other factors outside its control (friction, wind resistance), and so downhill works poorly.  For the DC, having no heater bars would risk condensation on strings and plate, for one thing.

  The next risk to the piano is the likelihood of it being in another location sometime in the next 20 years.  Isn't there a great chance that a Florida piano might be passed on to a family member in Minnesota?

  The very large risk is to Dampp-Chaser's credibility.  We're still hearing horror stories about the old silver bars (pull them out if you find them!), from more than 30 years ago.  Bad installations that cause bad results reflect unfairly on an excellent system.  It can also reflect badly on our own reputation, if the next technician disagrees with us.  And it of course voids the warranty, damaging the customer.

  The only benefits I can think of are the small savings in parts and installation, negligible relative to a C-7.  Relative to these risks, for me it's a no-brainer to always install a complete system.

  --Cy--

  P.S.  I yank the old 20W silver bars because they don't have a humidistat, so they're always on.  They do more harm in winter than help in summer.  On many of them, I find cracks in the insulation on the power cord wherever it's bent, just from the age of the plastic.  Most of them aren't even plugged in.
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Crane, Alan 
    To: caut at ptg.org 
    Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 2:07 PM
    Subject: [CAUT] Dampp-Chaser - half system installation...


    I have a different Dampp-Chaser question.

    Do any of you install only the humidity half of the system under certain circumstances?

    If so, what are your decision criteria??

    I recently had the opportunity to check out a new Dampp-Chaser installation (by someone else) on a brand new Yamaha C-7 in a multi-purpose civic center type institutional building (the piano is on stage in a large performance/lecture hall).

    I was admiring the very clean, orderly installation until I noticed there were *no* de-humidifier rods installed… none at all!

    The water tank & wick system was there, as was the humidistat.  They were obviously very recently purchased from Dampp-Chaser (not old left-overs).

    I called the store that sold the piano (and whose tech installed the stage truck & Dampp-Chaser system) and got a complete run-around!!

    I’m at a loss to explain the situation. 

    I know that some really humid (coastal) climates call for installations without the humidifier part of the system but this is a new one for me.

    Can someone educate me on good reasons for something like this??





    Regards,



    Alan B. Crane, RPT

    School of Music

    Wichita State University

    alan.crane at wichita.edu

      
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