[pianotech] Dampp-Chaser Smart Bracket - no longer an option

[Mark Purney]

As of the beginning of this year, the Dampp-Chasers without the Smart 
Bracket (Pads Light) are no longer being sold. Apparently, since 85% of 
technicians use the SB systems, the logic must be that the other 15% 
just haven't "seen the light." But that's the problem. I've seen the 
light! It's red, and it starts flashing about a week or two after 
installation. That sort of thing generates a call-back, an unhappy 
customer, and lost revenue. I'm going to contact Dampp Chaser to ask 
them to reconsider making this an option and not forcing us to pay for 
something we will never use. If you are in the minority like myself, I 
hope you will also give them your feedback on this issue. Now if you 
disagree strongly with me, as 85% of you are likely to do, please read 
the rest of this email before responding.

Before I started installing Dampp Chasers, I was told by a number of 
technicians in Arizona not to use the systems with pads lights. I had no 
reason to doubt them, so I never bothered with the SB systems. But last 
year I got curious and installed two Smart Brackets as a test, one on my 
own Dampp Chaser, and one with a client that I knew would not mind the 
experiment. Both started flashing a few days later with new pads. Both 
were using purified, but not distilled, water.

I love Dampp-Chaser systems, and I have no doubt the Smart Brackets work 
great for 85% of technicians. If I had to guess, I'd guess that it has 
something to do with the fact 85% of users probably use tap water to 
fill their tanks. Tap water is full of impurities that cause the sensors 
to function more reliably. But in Arizona, the calcium content in tap 
water is ridiculous, so we urge the clients to use purified water (or 
distilled, as long as some treatment fluid is mixed in to make the 
distilled water less inert so the level sensor works properly). I've had 
clients who ignored my recommendation, but when they see the mess 
created by the bricks of calcium that build up with just 6 months of 
Arizona tap water, they immediately stop using tap water from that point 
forward. My theory is that purified water, like that which comes from my 
reverse osmosis system, is just too "clean" to give the SB sensor a 
proper signal. It works fine with the level sensor that is immersed in 
the water, but the contacts of the SB sensor are not immersed - they are 
only touching the damp pads.