Thanks to all for the information. Ive cleaned the system today and indeed it looks like salt crystals, maybe the same stuff that can be found at the connections of old car batteries? (It also burns when you get it onto you skin) There is some damage at the top of the humidifier rods (the plastic recovering has been partly melted down by the salt crystals) The technician who is maintaining the water softener told me the system uses a lot of salt and I think this is why the problem was so severe in this case. And yes, the last time the pads were replaced was about 11 months ago so we decided to replace them 3 times a year.. I suppose I should also replace the rods? (I think it is aluminium under the plastic protection layer) Kind regards, Pierre Gevaert _____ De : pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] De la part de Dean May Envoyé : lundi 18 mai 2009 22:04 À : pianotech at ptg.org Objet : [english 100%] Re: [pianotech] DamppChaser problem I always recommend using soft water. Even though you sometimes see the mushroom salt crystals growing no harm is done. The sodium crystals thus deposited are much less harmful than magnesium crystals. With soft water the pads stay softer and more efficient. Changing once a year, before the heating season when peak efficiency is needed, is adequate. Dean Dean May cell 812.239.3359 PianoRebuilders.com 812.235.5272 Terre Haute IN 47802 _____ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of paul bruesch Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 7:45 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] DamppChaser problem Water softeners use salt and there is always some residual salt in softened water... one reason not to use soft water to water your lawn or your plants or your piano. Paul Bruesch (Dis)still(ed)water, MN On Sun, May 17, 2009 at 4:48 PM, John Ross <jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca> wrote: Water softeners use salt. John Ross, Windsor, Nova Scotia ----- Original Message ----- From: David and Jean Weiss <mailto:1djweiss at embarqmail.com> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 6:11 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] DamppChaser problem I had the same issue once. It turned out that the water system in customers house used some kind of salt based filter. The white stuff building up on the Dampp Chaser pads is if a residue of the salt. (Sorry if my explanation is not very scientific.) It doesnt seem to interfere with the operation of the Dampp Chaser. If it bothers them they could switch to distilled water. David Weiss From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gevaert Pierre Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 4:49 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] DamppChaser problem Hi List, I have a strange problem with a Dampp Chaser Ive installed about one year ago. The system is perfectly maintained (water from a filtering system, the Dampp Chaser product has always been added, new piano, new building with floor heat ) Last week I ve checked the system and was amazed to see big white mushrooms growing above the humidifier pads! I asked the supplier what could be the problem and he said its the first time he encountered this. Any ideas how to avoid this? Thanks, P Gevaert -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090519/bcb0332a/attachment.htm>
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