Humidity Control System issue

[Kevin E. Ramsey]

    Look, you always have to deal with the 10% of the population that are
idiots. Hey, and they're in all professions, even ours. I would take comfort
in the  fact that each of us have installed systems only in situations where
we had some reasonable expectation that they would be looked after. I would
never install a system in an instrument that didn't have someone with a
feeling of possession of the instrument, someone who had some real interest
in it. ( Like a Public School, or hobbyist Theater, aka "Small Theater")
    The only way that I would recommend that they install a DC unit, is if I
installed it Myself Own Self. If they had someone else install it; Sorry.


Kevin E. Ramsey
ramsey@extremezone.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <romanop@attglobal.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2001 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: Humidity Control System issue


> How 'bout this one. A dealer (no names please!) had installed a complete
DC
> system on  Young Change grand with PianoDisc system. The PD was then
plugged
> into the humidistat outlet. Of course, I got a call that the PD was
working
> intermittently. When the humidity was high, everything worked fine, when
the
> unit turned off so did the PianoDisc! This was a dealer installation!
>
> Phil Romano
> Myrtle Beach, SC
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jon Page" <jonpage@mediaone.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 8:11 AM
> Subject: Re: Humidity Control System issue
>
>
> > At 01:26 AM 01/25/2001 -0500, you wrote:
> > >Hi folks:
> > >
> > >Here's a nice one: A couple of days ago I came upon a Yamaha Grand (G1
or
> so)
> > >which looked to be between 15 and 25 years old with a humidity control
> system
> > >installed neatly underneath.  It consisted of 2 heater bars and a water
> tank
> > >unit and, of course, the brain.  The shame is that the brain was not
> smart
> > >enough to realize that whoever installed the system (around 8 yrs ago
> > >according to the customer) got the two outlets mixed up.
> > >
> > >That's right - the heater bars were plugged into "HUMIDIFIER" and the
> tank
> > >was in "DEHUMIDIFIER" and those heater bars were humming.  Sure enough
> there
> > >was a crack in the soundboard that you could drop a credit card through
> as
> > >well as signs of dried out mildew.  Another in a long line of pianos I
> have
> > >seen damaged by inept usage of these systems.
> > >
> > >I am not a fan of these systems although I know a lot of you readers
out
> > >there are and I am not interested in debating the issue, however, I do
> have a
> > >suggestion for the manufacturer which I will now put out there for any
> who
> > >wish to pick this ball up.
> > >
> > >Since the manufacturer of these units has no real control over who
> installs
> > >them and I am not aware of any factory installations occurring, they
may
> wish
> > >to consider employing a keyed system where heater bars are keyed ONLY
to
> plug
> > >into the correct socket on the brain, and NOWHERE else.  The water tank
> could
> > >have its own keyed plug as well.
> >
> > Perhaps stickers placed beside the outlets further identifying them as:
> > Heat  and Water.
> > Sort of like "Installation For Dummies" nomenclature.
> >
> > Evidently Humidifier and De-humidifier are twenty-five cent words for
> > someone with a ten cent vocabulary.
> >
> > Last week, I came across a double rod system where two 8W rods were
> plugged
> > into each outlet.
> > I removed them from under the beams of the grand and advised more
powerful
> > units.
> >
> > Maybe their promotion should stress the benefits of installation rather
> > than "You can make good money, too".
> >
> > Jon Page
> >
> > >This would serve to indemnify the manufacturer as well as ensure proper
> > >installation of their equipment.  After all, if tobacco companies can
be
> sued
> > >for people abusing their product, what next?
> > >
> > >My rant, Matt in NY
> >
>