----- Original Message ----- From: <MBrat70179@AOL.COM> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 11:06 PM Subject: Different question about heater bars > Hi list > > Let me preface my question by informing the list that I live in Indiana. > Our humidity (in home) usually cycles from 65% in the summer to 30% in the > winter. Again these are averages of "in home" readings. > > I have been of the understanding that the heater bars used by Dampp-chaser > are used to decrease humidity. This is done by heating up the air around the > heater bar. Warm air holds more moisture than cold air. So, moisture is > drawn out of the piano and into the air... right? > > The question is: in the absence of a humidistat should the heater bar be > unpluged in the winter? Yes it should be unplugged in winter. BUT, it should also be unplugged in summer because it is not controlled by a humidistat. > The piano in question resides in a church. Note: The temperature regularly > falls to 60 degrees during the week and back up to room temperature during > services. Also, I have not serviced this instrument and have no humidity > readings from the site. > > I don't believe the heater bar should be used as a substitute for heat. I > contend that the heater bar will compound the lower humidity (its' intended > purpose). You are absolutely correct. > Without installing a humidistat or complete Dampp-chaser system, should the > partial system be unplugged in drier seasons? Without a humidistat, the Dampp-Chaser system (although system implies more than one part!) works best unplugged. Unplugged will prevent damage to the piano from overdrying due to use on a non-humidistat controlled Dampp-Chaser heat rod. > Deeply pondering in Indiana > Mike Bratcher Ponder how to convince the church to buy a $50 humidistat. :-) Good Luck! Terry Farrell Piano Tuning & Service Tampa, Florida mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
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