Hammond Heater Tag

[David Anderson]

There used to be some debate about whether the full-time resistive heaters found in some Hammond Organs were there to keep the generator warm in cold weather or to drive out moisture. I found this original tag in a 1947 Hammond CV:

[carioca100]

That's pretty interesting and a cool find. I've been thinking about the humidity in my organs since I'm considering a move to a more humid environment and if I should install a device to keep the electronics dry.

[muckelroy]

Spotted on a spinet too: https://www.organforum.com/forums/sh...move&styleid=1

[Pipeorganbuilder]

I use the damp chaser products to protect instruments. Here is the south, we have very high humidity year round. Have used many of the small gun safe dehumidifiers in the smaller instruments such as my Seeburg K nickelodeons.

Michael

[Roger Memphis]

I use the damp chaser products to protect instruments.
Michael

Would that actually be Dampp-Chaser? http://www.dampp-chaser.com/home ?
I seem to recall that the Hammond Organ Studio in Memphis used and recommended those years ago.
Roger Memphis

[KC9UDX]

The tag in the OP is a Dampp-Chaser tag, in my opinion. Non-Hammond organs that I've owned that came with a Dampp-Chaser have that tag.

[Earnest]

The M-143 Hammond I found on Craigslist over 3 years ago has the Dampp-Chaser in it but I don't recall the tag being on there. I might have thrown the tag away.

[Roger Memphis]

Tags on power cords and extension cords are really unsightly. I have a lifelong habit of removing them immediately before use. Some of the new wrap-around vinyl, sticky-backed ones require scissors and surgical skills to remove, but I always manage ! :) The mattress and cushion tags come off, too !!!
Roger Memphis

[stefanv]

The tag in the OP is a Dampp-Chaser tag, in my opinion.

The company has been around since 1947, so it could very well be that Hammond also sourced their's from Dampp Chaser.

[David Anderson]

The company has been around since 1947, so it could very well be that Hammond also sourced their's from Dampp Chaser.

But . . . heater resistors are noted on the wiring diagram for Hammond Organs including the Model A, BC, D, and G, all produced in the 1930s. I've seen them in early organs.

Moisture was a big problem for some early electronics. There are accounts of repairmen having to install always-on incandescent bulbs inside early televisions to keep them operational in extremely humid climates. I doubt that the Dampp Chaser company came up with the idea of using a small heat source to control humidity even if they did use the principle to design a product for this purpose marketed for pianos.