Coastal Dampp-chaser calibration

[Dean May]

You are getting a variety of answers here, so you'll just have to figure out
what makes sense to you. 

Since it only operates in July and August I suspect there won't be anyone
around (or nobody responsible enough to do it) to fill the humidifier if you
install a complete system. I'd just install a couple of heater bars, a
humidistat and an undercover. That should keep the piano reasonably stable
for the two months it is needed. 

Dean

Dean May             cell 812.239.3359 

PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 

Terre Haute IN  47802

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Wayne M. Williams
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 1:20 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Coastal Dampp-chaser calibration

Hello:
I mentioned this in another email in regard to the Damp-Chaser product. I 
just tuning a Steinway grand and upright at a YMCA camp that operates only 
two months a year, July and August. The camp is on Lake Champlain in New 
York State, and the camp Director, a music teacher, says the summers are 
very humid. Teh grand alreaddy has a "heating bar". Do the painos, given the

climate, warrent a complete Damp-Chaser system?

Wayne Williams
Schroon Lake, NY
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "R Barber" <bassooner42 at yahoo.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 2:36 PM
Subject: Coastal Dampp-chaser calibration


>  The owner has double-paned windows, weather-stripped doors, drapes- 
> generally equipped to protect his niche from the environment, but prefers 
> open windows.  There is no central humidity control.  There is usually a 
> 24-hour on-shore breeze, so the typical climate will be high RH, about 95%

> of the year.  RH ranges between 55-100% daily, but occasionally there is a

> breeze from the off-shore direction when RH drops to 20% or below, 
> sometimes for a few days at a time.
>  I've heard two votes for the wet, and I'm tending in that direction. 
> Thanks for you input!
> Richard Barber
>
>> My recommendation would be to know the typical range of relative humidity

>> (RH) the house (?) experiences. If the house is a old wood frame, windows

>> are often open, no central air or heat, then sure, pick the 
>> "wet"-calibrated Dampp-Chaser humidistat to match the outdoor 
>> environment. But many modern homes are well insulated from their outdoor 
>> environment and RH ranges in them may have little to do with outdoor RH 
>> ranges. Not only are modern homes well insulated from the outdoors (heat 
>> AND humidity), but any home also has it's own humidity sources - cooking,

>> showers, etc.
>>
>> IMHO, if you are going to err at all, and being that you plan to install 
>> a full system (are you sure its gets dry in the home?), I would go with 
>> the "normal" humidistat. Another consideration might be if the instrument

>> is old with a sagging soundboard and less-than-tight tuning pins, you 
>> might want the "wet"-calibrated Dampp-Chaser humidistat to help the piano

>> out a bit.
>>
>> Also, have you checked to see whether the home has a central humidity 
>> control system?
>>
>> Many things to consider. At least the piano is getting a DC system - 
>> always a good thing!
>>
>> Terry Farrell
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> Do you think a "wet"-calibrated Dampp-Chaser would be a wiser choice 
>>> than the standard calibration for a client on a foggy coast? 
>>> Installation to include string cover + undercover, complete Dampp-Chaser

>>> (not just rods), to cover off-shore dry spells.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Richard Barber
>>> Santa Clara Valley, CA
>>
>>
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