This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment "Is a Dampp-Chaser going to stop the piano from being damaged, seizing = up, rusting etc? " Properly sized and installed, it should. "What does one charge for installing them?" I put a 100% markup on parts and figure 45 minutes installation for the = first rod and humidistat, and then 15 minutes per additional rod. I take = a bit longer than some folks, but I put all rods above the bottom of the = frame-work under the piano (except the one rod that goes at rear of = keybed). I also cut and custom fit each power wire - there are no = bunched-up cords or danglers with my installations - I crimp all custom = cut wires together - no bunches of plugs, etc. "What is there expected lifespan?" I realize nothing lasts forever, but I think these things last a LONG, = LONG, LONG time. I should think the rods should last many decades. The = humidistats I don't know, but the Dampp-Chaser folks claim they = virtually never have failures with the humidistats. In a real humid room, I recommend starting with your 50W rod along the = back of the keybed and at least one extending from the keybed rear to = the back of the piano. DC has a new plastic (mylar?) sheet for covering = the bottom of the piano - sounds like it might be appropriate for this = installation. Install, turn on, AND MONITOR SYSTEM FOR SOME PERIOD OF = TIME WHEN HUMIDITY IS HIGH. Do this by plugging an old-fashioned = electric clock (one that plugs into the wall and has arm that go around = in circle - no digital clocks) into the humidistat, along with your = system of rods. Let it go for 12, 24, or however many hours (maybe you = will need to have the piano owner call you every 12 hours and report the = time on the clock). This will let you know if your system is = underpowered, overpowered, or OK. If, during times of high humidity = (also monitor RH of room), the system is only on for 1 hour during a = 24-hour period, your system is overpowered. If it never turns off, your = system is underpowered (keep adding rods until it turns off - spread = them around under piano). If it turns off, even for a short period of = time, you have your system just right. If it is really humid down there, and you have action/key problems that = are related to humidity, you might want to consider a separate system = for inside the action and/or under the keybed - but only if you have = humidity related problems in those areas. This is how I did my piano at home. I do not install the humidifiers in = my Florida installations. I have about 175 watts of rods under my 178 cm = Boston (1 - 50W, 2 - 37W, 2 - 25W rods). The RH in the room often gets = up around 75%. When RH is that high, the system runs about 90% of the = time (I do not have the mylar cover under the piano). When RH in the = room is at its lowest, around 35%, the system is never on. I have let = the piano go for about 15 months now, and there is not a note more than = 2 cents from where I set it 15 months ago - it has been absolutely rock = solid. Those nice wool blankets for over the plate/strings will make any system = work much better. I do not have one on my piano - although I do keep the = lid closed 95% of the time - I open it sometimes when my wife is = playing. All the above is, of course, simply what I have done and what I would = do. I am not an electrical engineer. It may not be the best advice. But = it works for me. Terry Farrell =20 ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Paul Tizzard=20 To: pianotech@ptg.org=20 Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002 9:39 AM Subject: Dampp-Chaser. Hi List, Living in a climate where Damp-Chaser's are not that prevalent, I need = some advice. A client of mine has a Baby Grand(Hopkins-English piano) in a basement = of sorts. I say " of sorts " because it is not your typical basement. It = is basically a room carved out of rock, on which the rest of the house = is built. The problem is that the room is incredibly damp. I have told = her that we should move the piano elsewhere, but she really does not = want to(no space!). My question: Is a Dampp-Chaser going to stop the piano from being = damaged, seizing up, rusting etc? What does one charge for installing = them? What is there expected lifespan? Any info and/or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Paul Tizzard Cape Town ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/95/b9/b3/80/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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