<br><br> <div><span class="gmail_quote">On 10/1/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">Paul Mulik</b> <<a href="mailto:tubist@swbell.net">tubist@swbell.net</a>> wrote:</span> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid">Hello list,<br><br>I've installed several Dampp-Chaser* systems in medium-sized grands, but<br>later this month I will be installing a system in a new concert grand.  How <br>will this installation be different?  Should I install two tanks?  Two light<br>panels?  Extra rods?  Will there still be just one humidistat?<br><br>Thanks,<br>Paul Mulik<br>Joplin, MO<br><br>*Somehow I just can't make myself call it a "piano life saver." <br><br><br></blockquote></div> <div>Hi Paul,</div> <div> </div> <div>I have installed several systems myself and rather than use the "one size fits all" approach I taylor my installs to fit the situation. 2 examples come to mind, both churches, both with high humidity problems in summer but miles apart both literaly and causaly. The first was a 5 year old structure built into the side of a bluff overlooking a river, as if that wasn't bad enough the entire structure was cement, block, red brick(except for the roof) and received no direct sunlight after 3:00PM daily. I installed a G6PS50 SHB with an additional 50w dehumidifier in the 7'2" new Boston Grand they purchased about a year and a half ago. I covered it with a full drop cover that reaches within 1/2" of the floor the full perimeter of the piano(available by special order from Paul Jansen & Son) </div> <div>The piano is only opened for choir rehearsal, the occasional wedding or funeral and sunday services, otherwise it is kept covered and does not vary more than 4 to 6 beats season to season. The second is in a little very old brick church in the middle of Wisconsin Cranberry country, No A/C, one large heat vent for the entire sanctuary located about 4 feet behind the nose of this little 5'2" 10 or 12 year old Hyundai Grand that was acquired used. After my 4th service call in about 10 weeks(they had owned it for 12 weeks)I suggested a Dampp-Chaser system and full drop cover. The last service call was for "sticky keys", I removed rodent droppings lodged between the keys! My thought was if there was a full drop cover in place the piano would be closed up and no mice could get in. We installed the same system as above with the full drop cover and there have been no more service calls! </div> <div>I have no experience with the string covers, I would think(guessing here)they would work better in a home environment where a cover would not be feasable. </div> <div>My point in doing the covers whenever possible, especially in the churches is the pianos aren't moved around like they are in a school or stage environment, they can be persuaded to keep them closed when not in use and the cover helps hold in the "conditioned air" whether it's dried or humidified. This benefits the action as well as the sounding board much more so than an undercover and stringcover would by keeping the action at a constant humidity level rather than having it changing constantly while the tuning remains stable. So your Dampp-Chaser system can actually benefit the whole piano much as it does in a vertical. </div> <div>So I don't know what sort of use or situation the piano you mention is going to be used for but I would suggest considering the type of use, type of construction of the building, care it will MOST LIKELY get when you aren't there. Then call Dampp-Chaser and talk with Kelly and get some suggestions from her. </div> <div> </div> <div>Good Luck,</div> <div>Mike    <br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>You never truely understand something until you can explain it to your grandmother. --Albert Einstein<br><br>Michael Magness<br>Magness Piano Service<br>608-786-4404<br><a href="http://www.IFixPianos.com"> www.IFixPianos.com</a><br>email <a href="mailto:mike@ifixpianos.com">mike@ifixpianos.com</a> </div>