Zero percent humidity

[Chris Gregg]

Isaac,
         This model is made in Portugal.  Thanks for the advice about 
getting it regulated.  Here in Canada when we have long cold spells the 
furnaces just dry everything out unless there is a built in humidification 
system.  Stand alone humidifiers and vaporizers are not effective.  The 
gauge will rise if it is held right over a unit, but move it three feet 
away and it will be down to its original measurement.  I know that you have 
the opposite problem in Europe.  Six of one and half a dozen of the other 
if you ask me.

Chris

At 02:20 AM 1/7/2004, you wrote:
>Chris, that's fun,
>  I have a model "pro" with an external sensor from the same brand
>(HANNA), and a little one like the one you picture (but with a memory
>and thermometer function) . The "pro" model is more precise, but
>nowadays, the accuracy is said to be kept for one year, then the
>instrument may be regulated again ( BTW these 2 seem to be are made in
>China  :<(.)
>
>I don't know where is the problem, but the cheap hygrometer all seem
>to be accurate in the "medium" range, when it comes to extremes, they
>give really less precise information (may be depending of the state of
>the batteries) Some also are faster than others, to have a very low
>reading can take as long as 5-10 minutes.
>
>Nowadays the information on your hygrometer allow a range of measure
>from 10 to 90% only, does not mean it can't display 0%, it is easy to
>get near 0% H.R in fact with a very cold air, as this is the point
>where water turns to ice (there is a certain difference between the 2
>but I can't explain it).
>
>Here in Paris a lot of modern buildings have their humidification
>systems that have been turned off because the system employed ("air
>washing")was distributing illness and bacteria in the buildings (10-15
>years ago we experienced a heavy "Legionellose" episode). Now more
>clean humidification systems are available, but in most cases no one
>cared to ask for the systems to be installed, I even wonder if in the
>air quality norms there is a point about H.R.
>
>I was suspecting that lack of humidification for sometime, so every
>time I can talk with the people that repair HVAC in institutional
>buildings I ask them about, and apparently I was right.
>
>Nowadays we are in a moderate climate, and even during winter some
>humidity remains in the walls and the ground the low cases are around
>20 % HR I never have measured a lower state in rooms and buildings.
>
>Not to say pianos don't appreciate Damp Chasers !
>
>Best Regards.
>
>Isaac OLEG
>
>
> > -----Message d'origine-----
> > De : pianotech-bounces@ptg.org
> > [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]De la
> > part de Chris Gregg
> > Envoye : mercredi 7 janvier 2004 06:20
> > A : Pianotech
> > Objet : Zero percent humidity
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I have a fairly accurate hygrometer.  I bought it from a scientific
> > instrument supply company.  I have been using it for the
> > past year and have
> > been delighted with the performance. A description of it
> > can be seen at
> > http://www.hannacan.com/fiches_techniques/HI98601.pdf
> > Up here in the far North we have just been going through a
> > cold spell  with
> > an mass of Arctic air over us.  I knew it was dry in some
> > homes, have had
> > the humidity down to 5 to 8% at times, however this is
> > nothing compared to
> > some public buildings that have music schools in them.  I
> > was in one
> > yesterday that recorded 2.7 percent in one room and this
> > evening I was in a
> > building that actually took the gauge down to 0% for a few
> > moments.  I did
> > not know this was possible, however I guess it is.  It must
> > be like sitting
> > right inside the furnace.  Some of the local piano salesmen
> > tell me they
> > sometimes hear things go crack on the showroom floor.  I
> > wonder why?  We
> > even have laminated boards that crack in this part of the
> > world.  Keeps us
> > busy though.  Install lots of Dampp Chasers around this
> > time of year.
> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
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> >
>
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