tech@steinway.com wrote: > > In our opinion, if the room can be succesfully kept within the range of 40 > to 55 % relative humidity, a Dampchaser is not necessary. > > Steinway and Sons suggests the use of the Dampchaser when the location can > not be controlled within these ranges. > > Mike Mohr > Steinway factory, NYC At 09:57 AM 11/9/97 -0500, you wrote: > >Hi: > > > >I hope the subscribers of this list don't mind a question from somebody who > >is not a tuner or technician. > > > >I own two Steinway grands: a model D less than a year old, and a model B > >about two years old. My question relates to the necessity of using a Dampp > >Chaser system. > > > >On the model D, the dealer installed a Dampp Chaser system and it has > >always concerned me that the long rods are very hot -- you can't even touch > >them for more than a few seconds. > > > >I brought this to the attention of the dealer's technician and he moved > >them down a couple inches (thereby adding more holes to the piano > >woodwork!). > > > >But still they remain very hot. > > > >On the other hand, the Dampp Chaser wants a drink every week! So it seems > >that the system is fighting itself. > > > >The final straw is that I just bought a couple hand-held hygrometers (I got > >two different ones to, hopefully, make sure they were in the ballpark with > >their humidity readings). In the room with the model D, the humidity is > >consistently between 40% and 50%, which sounds good. > > > >In a nutshell, is a Dampp chaser necessary in my scenario, and does it > >appear to be malfunctioning since it is always very hot to the touch, yet > >wants to be filled with water each week? > > > >Thanks very much for your comments. > > > >Frank Leister > >Mechanicsburg, PA > > > > > > Dear Frank, Scientific study carried out at the CAL Lab at the Smithsonian Institution has measured the effects of temperature and relative humidity on furniture. There findings have established that a range of RH between 40% and 60% should be maintained, and that it is most important to keep the RH constant, even if it is slightly above or below the recommended levels. Personally, I follow the advise that it is better to control the room RH, and that you should be more concerned about too little moisture, than too much. I have not seen any independent scientific testing that proves the Damp Chasers actually control the moisture content of the wood in pianos. I invite anyone with evidence to present it. Ken Eschete, RPT Professional Associate - American Institute of Conservators (AIC) keschete@bellsouth.com
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