DC unit abuse

[Farrell]

I suppose it would largely depend on if the piano lid was closed and if a 
piano cover (insulated?) was used. If the piano was left open, I don't know 
that the DC rod would have heated much of anything except the air above the 
piano a little bit. I suppose it might have some effect, but likely not a 
whole lot. The more the lid stayed closed and especially if a nice thick 
insulating cover was put over the piano, then I suppose it would indeed heat 
up the interior of the piano and lower the already presumably low RH common 
with "Canadian winters".

This is clearly an improper installation. Damp Chaser does not recommend 
installing a rod without a humidistat, and then the rod is to be installed 
below the soundboard - not above the plate.

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Renaud" <drjazzca at yahoo.ca>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 1:41 PM
Subject: DC unit abuse


> A concert I participated in as clarinetist last week
> could not use a piano that had been "rebuilt" "fully
> reconditioned", "repaired" depending who in the
> institution I spoke with. It had been tuned a couple
> weeks preciously. A Samik grand. The instrument was
> completely unusable by any stretch.
>
>  Although it was indeed at A440, 5ths, octaves were
> wild, many unisions 5-6 cent spread. Dampers were
> sticking. We abandoned it.
>
>  The "qualified"technician, on account of sticking
> dampers had placed a DC heat rod loosely resting on
> the plate above the dampers instructing them to leave
> it on full time. When asked how long it had been in,
> they were not sure excpt to say a very long time, so
> I presume it cooked through much of our dry Canadian
> winter. No controller, full time heat year round
> directly over the dampers.
>
>   I told the director they were destroying the piano
> by leaving a heat rod inside on full time. Cooking the
> piano is not a solution to poor adjustments, poor
> fittings of bushings.
>
>  Since there is a team of directors, a board, many
> contacts, and as it is  my word against the other
> "qualified" technician; I am fishing for a
> statements from the list regarding how this
> is unacceptable for the piano, misuse of DC
> technology, and is causing more problems then
> solutions.
>
>   The "qualified" technician shall remain anonymous,
> but I will be sending the comments to him as well.
> This individual has demonstrated in the past that they
> are slow to listen to reason, thus I hope a
> multitude of statements will sway them from continuing
> to damage pianos this way.
>
>   Perhaps I will learn that I am out of line here.
> If so, I had better hear it, but it would really truly
> surprise me if this use of a DC unit was
> acceptable by any stretch of the imagination. I have
> seen major serious damage done to clients pianos from
> DC heat bars on full time with no controller. Serious
> major soundboard cracking on a brand new piano.
>
>  A statement from any DC distributor would be nice.
>
>  I feel bad for the client, and bad for any other
> victims of such abuse, and wish to help stop this
> from happening again in my city.
>
>                                Grrrrr
>                                Dave Renaud
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