[CAUT] Dampp-chaser and fused plug ends

[Jim Busby]

Jessica,

We had a student move a piano w/o unplugging it and the plug stayed in the wall but the cord broke right where the plug was. A bare wire was sticking out...

The only problem I have found (I'm a believer in them! We have 26 of them here at BYU.) is when the room is so vented that the air handler overpowers the system. The unit is literally being "sucked dry" by the strong HVAC current. Even with the back cover and installed properly, etc. sometimes in a dry climate like ours (Utah) it can't seem to keep up. With as low as 8% RH and the air being exchanged every couple of minutes it's like a giant moisture magnet. Roger is still working with us trying to find a solution, but we are really the exception to the rule. There may be a few others like us, so that's why I'm writing this. In a home or "normal" situation they are fantastic. I'm confident that Roger will solve our dilemma.

Jim Busby BYU

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Masse
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 12:29 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] Dampp-chaser and fused plug ends

Hi,
I am writing this in support of the Dampp-chaser climate control systems.  There have been many improvements on the systems and they work provided the owner of the piano gets the instructions correct.   I have found that in general it's better to say less to minimize any confusion and ensure the owner to make a call when they have questions.

The only real problems I have found come from the system being powered off usually unintentionally or temporarily and then they forgot to plug it back in.  The system could use a no power (battery-backed alarm) because the standing water in the humidifier can be very damaging.

The other thing is the power cords get run over in public places which can be very dangerous and the reason I am writing this.

When the systems are installed where the piano is going to be moved, install the systems cord tied to the inside of the bottom of the rim and then add an extension cord.  Let them run over the extension cord.

I just looked at a fused plug that was run over- probably crushed and was straightened and plugged back in.  The fuse door was damaged and now the plug is cracked and exposing the inside of the plugs prongs.  This is potentially very dangerous. (Except the good spare fuse is working).  I just wrote a letter to the school telling them to remove the water from the tank and unplug the system.  Now I am looking for a solution to this new problem without changing the new safety standard of the improved system.  The plug needs to be replaced or the Humidistat needs replacing.

Jessica Masse
RPT Piano Technicians Guild
Proprietor, Ebony and Ivory Piano Company


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/caut.php/attachments/20081021/91ee59ef/attachment.html