<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1170" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">David Love wrote:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">> It's unfortunate that = there isn't more research<BR>on regulating humidity within the action cavity = itself.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">Hi folks,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">I've been following this discussion = and decided to chime in.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">It's my believe that where pinblock = failures have been attributed to this heat, moisture problems over many years = caused both action problems, and pinblock delamination with hide glue blocks.  = Probably tuners used uncontrolled heat to make a dent in a frozen action, = and that worked against a weak, delaminating pinblock.  Negative responses = to that situation are understandable.  But David has raised several good = arguments, and I agree with his conclusions, and go a little further.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">We have installed many DC rods in = grand actions.  It is not an everyday part of our installations, but it = has a definite place in the arsenal when you're looking for effective and safe = humidity control.  This is the key:  it absolutely MUST have = its own control, and it must be placed where it will get good feedback.  We = install the humidistat next to the #1 bass string, on the rim, with the sensors down.  This is above the action cavity, so as the heat rises it = will be read and turn the rod off.  We have always used the 8 watt bar for = this purpose.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">The area where we work has every = humidity situation you can imagine.  Most homes experience wide seasonal = swings due to our sea level and proximity to lots of water, followed by cold = winters and central heating.  Individual homes may have pianos next to large = radiators, simulating the desert environment.  Others are on heavily wooded = lots and never dry out, simulating the tropics.  Our clientele have = everything from spinets to concert grands.  So over the years, I doubt there is a = situation we haven't had to address.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">It is understandable that = Dampp-Chaser takes the position it does.  People will hear that it's okay to use a rod = in the action, and go back to 25 watts plugged in to the wall outlet.  = Don't Do That!  It's a small, enclosed area, and it doesn't take much to do = the job.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">If the action screws get loose from = this, it's because the wood was swollen, and you've brought it back down.  = Tighten them once and they'll stay put.  It's like expecting a pitch drop = after an installation, if the soundboard was swollen.  If the regulation = changes, let it, then regulate, and it will be stable.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">Incidentally, if you run across the = old brown humidistats, they are good for this use as you only need the = dehumidifier side plug.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">An 8w rod is not going to undo years = of neglect, as it is preventive in strength.  As soon as I see = any warning signs, I go for that rod/control.  It is a "booster shot" = for extreme situations where the humidity is very high and performance = requirements equally high.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">I addressed this subject in a = Journal article many years ago, probably at least 10.  By then, we had long been = using multiple rods in most every installation.  A 36-15 or 36-25 under = the keybed is a standard part of our grand installations and has been for decades.  That one can safely be connected to the control under the = soundboard.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">I also recommend and sell the string = covers made by Judi Edwards.  They will add greatly to the stability of an = installation.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">A good policy is to always tie the = wattage to the situation.  Eight watts is so gentle that it will not blast the = humidistat and be shut off immediately.  Too much wattage in that = area will overdo the heat, then shut off and take a long time to come back = on.  The best way for all of this is to get even and consistent = cycling.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">This requires good feedback to the = control, and the correct wattage.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">Negative comments on this subject = are very understandable given the misuse of the rods over the years.  But I = think that, with where Dampp-Chaser has gone, and the general acceptance the = subject finally has, this is a timely discussion.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">When I started working with Webb = about 25 years ago, he was already doing all these things, so I was no innovator, = but I did imitate a good thing and have not had a single problem with these = action dehumidifiers in all that time.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT><FONT face="Times New = Roman">Happy Labor Day - take the weekend off!  Ruth Phillips</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>