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Joined: Feb 2007
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The D-C site sells the liquid at $13.50 and the pads at $12.50 which seems pricey.
Seems to me it's some sort of standard liquid concontion used for other applications, and pieces of felt or similar.
Does anyone know of a lower cost substitute that performs similarly?
Thanks - Dave
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Pricey? Oh come on... The pads last for an average 6 months if you keep the humidifier container filled before the pads dry out. That's about 0.07 a day.
I sell that large humidifier of "liquid" at about $18 a bottle. For a LARGE bottle that lasts at least one year. 0.05 a day. I make out the order, I buy it, I stock it, I carry it in my car and I usually put some in the piano while I tune it." That = out to 0.10 a day for you.
If you use anything else but what Dampp Chaser recommends, it will likely void your warranty or even possibly cause a fire using the wrong pads.
Jerry Groot RPT Piano Technicians Guild Grand Rapids, Michigan www.grootpiano.comWe love to play BF2.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Please don't use anything beside's Dampp-Chaser's treatment.
Other humidifier treatments may contain acids that destroy the metal heating elements and can corrode the piano's strings.
You can order the humidifier pads in bulk to get a volume discount, but again, in cost per year, I'm sure most people spend a lot more on sheet music.
--Cy--
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Dave - to answer your question - NO!
You don't have to buy from DC. Check other sources. The pads and conditioner are specific to the system. It is not worth it to try to concoct substitutes.
Marty in Minnesota
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You paid a zillion dollars for your piano.
Don't take a chance on anything but the correct stuff.
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Originally posted by kenny: You paid a zillion dollars for your piano.
Don't take a chance on anything but the correct stuff. YOU may have paid a zillion dollars for your piano, but I only paid half a zillion for mine! This was a good reminder...I just ordered some treatment and pads online. It was not under Damp Chaser website but PIANOSAVERSTORE.com
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."
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Don't the pads come in packages of 4? You only use 2 at a time. So it's only half as expensive as you think.
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My tech sometimes sells me liquid with the Dampp-Chaser name, sometimes stuff with no recognizeable name. Since he installed the unit, I don't think he would subvert it by using an improper treatment. I have to assume whatever he is giving me is correct. Anyway, no problems to report.
I assume the pads he installs are fine. I don't really keep track of what he's doing down there!
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OK, glad I asked! I'll stick with the D-C products.
(Though I'll silently hold my strong suspicions that it's some standard water treatment ingredient that can be bought elsewhere without the brand name. The purpose of the additive is surely to prevent algae, mineralization, or whatnot. I don't see how the D-C's water treatment requirements would differ from a zillion similar applications in other pieces of equipment. I'm just not going to go test new recipies on my C5 to save a sawbuck.)
Thanks so much for the advise. Dave
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It's to prevent mold, especially in the filler tube. A 16 oz. bottle typically lasts a year; it's less than a nickel a day.
Most humidifiers work with a completely different mechanism, and don't need the sensor to detect when the pads are dry (they use a float in the water tank). This system has no moving parts.
Y'all are so suspicious! :-)
--Cy--
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Cy,
Might I also submit that it adds the electrolites that are necessary for electrical conductivity. You are totally correct, the DC system works in a different way than a standard humidifier.
In my area, the water is hard. The pads would get crusty, in the winter, and would need to be changed every 1-2 months.
I decided to use only distilled water, with the capfull of additive, and now I only need to change the pads on the regular six month schedule. I am not opposed to the $0.97 purchase of the water every other week and it is also used in the clothes iron.
Keeping my car filled with gas and regularly maintained, the cost of the DC system becomes so insignificant. The value of my car is certainly less than of my piano. I try to treat both of them well.
Marty in Minnesota
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