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multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

  • 1.  multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-01-2020 19:51
    Greetings,

    If you have many pianos with Dampp-Chaser systems on them, and the piano shop is responsible for their maintenance, wouldn't it be nice to not have to physically visit each piano to find out if the system has power going to it, if it needs water or if the pads are not functional? We have long fantasized about something like this, and now are taking a serious look at it, due to the logistical challenges caused by COVID-19.

    I imagine that we are not the only ones to entertain this notion. The questions before us now are:

    1) How many institutions would be interested in having something like this?

    2) Has anyone already developed something along these lines?

    Be well,

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Member
    Posted 07-02-2020 13:45

    Hi Alan,

    I have not explored this idea specifically, but seeing your post made me think of "Smart Plugs."  They are devices that go between an electric device and the wall outlet so you can do things like turn things on/off remotely from a mobile device or by voice.  They've become relatively inexpensive (I'm having difficulty cutting and pasting a link on mobile but just google "smart plugs" and you'll find them.)

    I have no idea if there is a limit to how many would work with a single device, but my understanding is you just need to connect them to WiFi and then control them with an app.

    Just throwing it out there.

    Best,

    Luke



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    Luke Taylor
    Temple City CA
    310-386-7014
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-04-2020 13:51
    Check out this Youtube presentation where off-the-shelf electronic modular boards can be connected to create an internet connected moisture monitor, as well as software links to make it all work.  This system the poster created will send a notice by SMS when the moisture level is too low.   No need to reinvent the wheel, as far as designing the circuits and systems needed.  The boards are not expensive, though there would of course be the necessary mounting in cases, etc and labor to put it together.  Everything is all ready to plug in, no soldering necessary.  Looking at actual costs, less than $100, maybe much less.
    This is something that I would suggest Damppchaser be prepared to implement.  What better way than to offer the smartphone user a convenient means to monitor the piano system.  Knowing that most Damppchaser owners probably don't monitor their system very religiously, what to speak of schools and other venues where moisture control is critical, a simple App can be created, or SMS alert sent to your phone, to keep tabs on it.

    Here's the link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHLQkcOLRPU

    You'll have to subscribe or find the second video where the software to run the system can be found.  There are many possibilities for other types of sensors on this system, you just need to connect them and set up the software to do what you need done, ie., send SMS messages or link to any other information hub on the web.

    Paul McCloud
    San Diego

    ------------------------------
    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    service@accutonepianoservice.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-04-2020 14:22
    Hi Paul,

    Thanks for this!

    I didn't think it would be necessary to invent and manufacture the components necessary to accomplish this task. It turns out there are at least a couple of people out there who are already working on this (or something like it).

    I concur with your thinking that Dampp-Chaser should so enable their next generation of humidistats, but am under the impression that the deciderers there have opted not to do so, at least not for the next iteration. Seems like a missed opportunity to me. I recently went refrigerator shopping, and it was hard to find a selection that were NOT wi-fi enabled.

    Have a Happy Fourth!

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-04-2020 14:31
    One day soon, EVERYTHING will be WIFi enabled. Your phone will let you know if your shoelaces are untied.

    Happy Fourth to you too. Probably will be kinda quiet this year. Probably have to watch reruns of past fireworks shows, thanks to a certain virus.

    Stay Safe!

    Paul McCloud



    Paul,

    Thanks for this!

    I didn't think it would be necessary to invent and manufacture the components necessary to accomplish this task. It turns out there are at least a couple of people out there who are already working on this (or something like it).

    I concur with your thinking that Dampp-Chaser should so enable their next generation of humidistats, but am under the impression that the deciderers there have opted not to do so, at least not for the next iteration. Seems like a missed opportunity to me. I recently went refrigerator shopping, and it was hard to find a selection that were NOT wi-fi enabled.

    Have a Happy Fourth!

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-02-2020 13:55
    Hi Alan,
    What a great idea!  A device which monitors the humidity control system's function and reports over the internet I'd guess would be the best approach.

    My youngest son Andrew just graduated with a degree in both network engineering and electrical engineering, but he's working as a shop hand in our keyboard manufacturing shop for now (because of covid of course, and because we've been so busy).

    I'll see if he can design something like this on paper at least.  Anyone else interested?

    Best regards,

    -Dean

    --
    1-888-SOFT-440  or 1-888-763-8440
    Reyburn Piano Service, Inc.
    http://www.cybertuner.com

    Musical masks for piano tuners:

    Reyburn Pianoworks
    Precision retrofit piano keyboards
    http://www.reyburnpianoworks.com




    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Member
    Posted 07-02-2020 22:17
    it already exists. I have been working with data loggers for some time now and am in the process of putting together a zoom meeting class in conjunction with Bill Davis our SERO VP.  The data logger world has basically exploded with innovation and devices especially to monitor food shipments, medicines, sensitive electronics.
    The first recorder I bought had an rs 232 cable and sensor black box. I have 3 cigar shaped data loggers that are set up in adavnce placed in a piano for 1-2 weeks then retrieved. They are then plugged into my desktop but could also be plugged into the usb on a pc laptop, the file is dump and graphical charts are plotted.
    Newer versions have short range wireless data transfer but there is another version that can be polled via the internet . A few years ago I had proposed something like this to the rep I worked with but it was costly and still a new concept. The price has come down significantly. I was working with a local church that has wireless internet and i would have been able to get instant alerts when the temps or rh went above the safety range and also to upload and examine data results.

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Member
    Posted 07-02-2020 22:23
    I should have qualified my response. The dampp chaser monitoring part is missing but I am sure it could be added to the wireless temp/rh platforms with the right electronic interface. it would seem the brains are already there that trigger the low water led and the red pad light. the green power light might even to send a signal when the system is unplugged

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2020 11:44
    Hi, Alan,

    I'm wondering if you ever came up with a Dampp-Chaser monitoring system that worked for you. Or maybe Dampp-Chaser is researching some system that will be available at some point? 

    Richard West

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    Richard West
    Oro Valley AZ
    402-570-4409
    440richard@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2020 12:11
    Good question, Richard. Thanks for asking it!

    Some of my crew were working on this until we learned that there were other folks out there either already pursuing a IoT/web/bluetooth interface or are far better equipped to do so than we are.

    I first approached Dampp-Chaser/Piano Life Saver Systems about this, but the suggestion got no traction with them (at least, not at that time.) As you know, Steve Lehr, RPT is working on something along these lines. So, too, are the Reyburn clan, and others.

    Due to the COVID-19 situation in Los Angeles County, students and guests are not allowed into the buildings on campus. Consequently, for the first time ever, I have to the "rounds" (as we call monitoring ad servicing our dozens of humidity control systems) myself on a regular basis. Not the best use of my time. And once students DO return to campus (they will, eventually, won't they?), we need the remote monitoring capability not just for the considerable time savings, but so as to only enter rooms that need watering or plugging in. We will not want to enter any room unnecessarily.

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2020 12:21
    Thanks, Alan. The virus is certainly taking its toll in countless ways.

    In regard to your pesky squeak, I remember encountering a pesky damper wire that wanted to sing. I don't recall what it was rubbing against, but, like any good violin string and bow, it sang/squeaked due to friction at some point along its length. Probably at the guide rail bushing.

    Richard







    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2020 12:51
    Alan,

    Steve Lehr, our chapter VP, has been working on something to address this precise issue. At one of our chapter meetings he demonstrated a prototype that will send temp, RH and water level data to a simple app on your phone in specifiable intervals (as I recall you could go as granular as every minute), and will give you a graphical representation of that data over user-definable time ranges. I don't believe it's capable of detecting whether the pads are properly wicking, but I suppose one could learn to interpret the fluctuations in temp/humidity to spot that. I know that he's talked with the fine folks at Dampp-Chaser about this, but I'm not sure what the results of that conversation were.

    I don't believe he watches these forums, but you can contact him at tunerpilot56@cox.net.

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    Adam Schulte-Bukowinski, RPT
    Piano Technician
    Glenn Korff School of Music
    University of Nebraska at Lincoln
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: multi-piano Dampp-Chaser monitoring system

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2020 13:26
    Thank you, Adam. Steve and I have been in touch.

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message