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

[Dean May]

Mark,

I'm pretty upset about this, also. I've never installed the SB as I fail to
see the need and I've only had trouble with SB systems installed by others.
I just got my first system with the mandatory SB and I plan to leave it
disconnected. I don't need customers calling because their red light is on.
Nor do I want customers getting in there to service it themselves. 90% of my
customers with DampChasers have their pianos serviced regularly.

Dean

Dean W May                (812) 235-5272

PianoRebuilders.com    (888) DEAN-MAY

Terre Haute IN 47802



-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Mark Purney
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 10:30 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
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.