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

[Joe Goss]

Hi Mark We use only distilled water without problems.
However one MUST use the treatment for mold to make the electrical 
connection.
Joe Goss BSMusEd MMusEd RPT
imatunr at srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Purney" <mark.purney at mesapiano.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 8:29 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Dampp-Chaser Smart Bracket - no longer an option


> 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.
>