Dampp Chaser Pad Replacement

ShiroKuro

I had my dampp chaser installed about 14 months ago by a piano tuner in a different city (b/c at the time, there wasn’t anyone local who could do it for me). That was the “shimmery tuner” (if anyone remembers, I was quite unhappy with his tuning!) and I didn’t have him tune for me anymore after that. So I figured out that any DC maintenance that was needed would have to be tracked by me. So while googling around, I learned that the pads need to be changed, and I kind of panicked because some websites say you have to change them twice a year etc.

The “change pads” indicator light hadn’t gone on yet, but somewhere I read that if the pad light goes on, you’ve left it too long and you’re going to have trouble. (Which, in retrospect seems silly bc what is the point of the light if it’s too late by the time it comes on.

Anyway I ordered some replacement pads online and yesterday my husband got down under the piano to change them for me.

Luckily, he already knew how to deal with the dampp chaser itself, because when we moved last spring, he was the one who removed the bucket and prepped that part of the piano for moving.

So he removed the bucket, and the pads. The pads were kind of old looking, and the color was faded in a few spots. But there were no mineral deposits, it didn’t look “crusty,” the bucket liner looks practically new, and the plastic rod covering looked fine as well.

Whew, that was a relief.

The instructions that came with the replacement pads said to change the rod covering when you change the bucket liner, so this time we only changed the pads.

So I guess we’ll change the pads again next spring, and at that time probably change the liner and rod covering.

I was surprised that it was in such good shape. Is that because I always only use distilled water and always use the water additive? If so, good! Because hopefully that means the unit will last a long time and I won’t have significant problems.

Does the once a year schedule seem right? How often do you change your pads, line and rod cover? Do you have your tuner do it or do you do it yourself?

iternabe

ShiroKuro I was surprised that it was in such good shape. Is that because I always only use distilled water and always use the water additive?

I was curious about Dampp Chaser so I looked it up. In this video (at 5:50 mark), the technician specifically said do not use distilled water, but use tap water (which has electrolytes), and add the pad treatment solution. @ShiroKuro you mentioned using water additive - is that to add electrolytes?

pseudonym58

We've had the "Dampp Chaser" installed since November 2023, and a year on our technician indicated that they were still fine. Like you, I used tap water initially perhaps twice, and since then only distilled water together with the cap full of water conditioner, which I suppose prevents the growth of mold.
I would think that if you're able to touch the pad and it seems wet at a time when the relative humidity is low, then it's functioning as it's supposed to. Assuming it's not moldy and disgusting, there's probably no reason to replace it.
Do you agree?

ShiroKuro

pseudonym58 Assuming it's not moldy and disgusting, there's probably no reason to replace it.

I wondered about this... In other words, perhaps we didn't need to replace the pads at this point. But on the other hand, it's kind of a hassle to deal with, and I would rather replace a little too early than too late. Esp. since the pads aren't expensive, and with the grand, you cut them in half so you get even more use out of one set of replacement pads.

So maybe I'll just plan to always check and replace every spring?

ShiroKuro

iternabe the technician specifically said do not use distilled water

I didn’t watch the video, so I don’t know if that tech adds more info, but I would like to know why he says that.

I use distilled water bc that what is “preferred.”

Here’s what it says on the DC website:

Wondering what kind of water to use? Distilled water is always preferred. In most situations, you can use tap, distilled, or filtered water. Locations with high mineral content water will reduce the life of the pads and humidifier heater bar, and in these situations we recommend using distilled water if possible. Do not use water that has been softened using salt. Salt water will react with aluminum, shortening the life of your Piano Life Saver.

BTW the additive I add is the pad treatment solution.

pseudonym58

Perhaps it's not obvious, but electrolytes will not evaporate. So you can use tap water a couple of times, and then add distilled water from then on. The electrolytes should remain in the tank. I continue to use the additive provided by the manufacturer, as I understand it prevents mold from growing in the tank and on the pad.

ShiroKuro

pseudonym58 Perhaps it's not obvious, but electrolytes will not evaporate. So you can use tap water a couple of times, and then add distilled water from then on.

Ahh, that makes sense. When my DC was first installed, the tuner said something like that (you can use tap water at first, then switch to distilled). But it didn't make sense to me why.

Anyway, it's just easier to do it the same way every time, so that's what I've been doing (distilled water plus a cap full of the DC solution).

Given the condition we said when Mr. SK changed the pads, I think what we're doing is ok!

iternabe

ShiroKuro I found more information in this post on PW.

Basically, Dampp-Chaser relies on the water having electrical conductivity to sense the water level. Uncontaminated distilled water won't conduct electricity and will cause DC unable to report water level - you will get no warning from low water level, or the water level light will keep blinking even when tank is full. Therefore, the initial fill of water need to have some electrolyte in it.

On the other hand, as @pseudonym58 pointed out, electrolyte (i.e. salt) do not evaporate, so if you keep using tap water, the salt concentration will just accumulate. Therefore it's better to distilled water for all subsequent refills.

ShiroKuro

iternabe the initial fill of water need to have some electrolyte in it.

Oh no!!!!! So when we changed the pads, we dumped out all the water and refilled it with new distilled water.

So, that was five days ago... Should I just add a bit of tap water (w/o any treatment), like, top it off?

I prefer not making my husband get down under the piano and take it apart again, if it can be avoided.

ShiroKuro

Wait, I just read the PW page you linked, I used the additive solution, so I should be ok????

iternabe

From what I can gather, if the water light is not blinking then the system is probably detecting water level, therefore you are probably okay. FYI If this is chemistry lab you’d have to wash the container with detergent then rinse and dump with copious amount of distilled water at least three times to really get rid of all contaminants.

I could not find any information about what’s in the additive.

In any case, I don’t think electrolytes has anything to do with the device’s ability to regulate humidity. The only potential problem is when water level gets too low you may not get a warning. If you have kept track of how often you needed to refill, you can probably just preemptively do it by mixing a quarter cup of tap water to the distilled water (just one time).

ShiroKuro

iternabe if the water light is not blinking then the system is probably detecting water level, therefore you are probably okay.

Yes, when we changed the pads, and put everything back together again and filled up the bucket, the light stopped blinking so I think it is detecting the pads.

FYI If this is chemistry lab you’d have to wash the container with detergent then rinse and dump with copious amount of distilled water at least three times to really get rid of all contaminants.

Good point! There's probably lots in there 😃

iternabe The only potential problem is when water level gets too low you may not get a warning.

Yes, that's a concern. I generally get the blinking light about every 10 days, and I changed the pads on the 19th, so I'll watch for that, and just add a little bit of tap water the next time.

thank you!!!!!!

pseudonym58

This reminds me of warm mist vaporizers used in a baby or child's room; the electrodes need a small amount of salt added to the water to function (unless the tap water contains a sufficient amount of dissolved minerals already, i.e. "hard" water).