Water Level (from 2/28/96)

[DAMPPCHASR@aol.com]

This message was originally sent on 2/28/96.
I don't believe, however that it was sent successfully, so here goes again!

Subj:	re: Water Level
Date:	96-02-28 13:29:24 EST
From:	DAMPPCHASR
To:	pianotech@byu.edu


	Regarding the Dampp-Chaser humidity control system, I am seeking advice
as to the number of watering cans of water to be added to a vertical piano
humidifier after the low water warning light comes on.

	It has been suggested by a number of technicians that we change the length
of the low water warning light probes to make the light come on after the
water
level has dropped to the point that only one (1) can of water to bring the
level to
full.  It would then be like the grand piano system which requires that only
one
water can of water be added.   The advantages are :

	1)  More effective pads over a longer period of time.  The water at the
level
just after the warning light comes on would have to be pulled by capillary
action
only 4 1/2 inches as compared to the 7 1/4 inches it has to travel now.  This
would
make it easier to keep the pads wet and easier to wick water to the top of
the heater
bar.

	2)  Greater reserve in the resivoir.  The time between the low water warning
light coming on and the tank actually running out of water would be extended
to
the point that the probability of the tank actually running out would be
reduced.
This would also permit much greater flexibility in inspection frequency in
some
institutional settings.  A more relaxed approach toward immediate filling
once the
low water warning light comes on could be taken at home as well.  This is not
to
mean that this should be the rule but it does mean it could be tolerated more
readily
than it can currently.


	3)  Makes it the same as the grand.  This reduces the opportunity for
confusion as to which tank gets 2 watering cans of water and which gets 1.

	The disadvantages are:

 	1)  The tank would require filling more frequently.  This speaks for
itself.  It
is going to have to be filled twice as frequently if you assume that piano
owners
have and will continue to fill it as soon as the low water warning light
comes on.  In
actual practice this probably won't happen, so the watering frequency will
probably
be 1.9/1.8 times as frequent as it is now.


	2)  It is possible there could be confusion about the fact that there was a
change in how much water to add.  If we do a good job of providing
instructions
that really stick out when the system or humidifier box is opened, hopefully
this will
not be a problem.

	My opinion is the advantages significantly outweigh the disadvantages but
perhaps I'm missing something.  If you can see more to this, either
positively or on
the negative side, I'd like to know it.  Also, if you have a gut feel opinion
I would
like to know this as well.


					Thanks,


					Bob Mair, Dampp-Chaser Electronics