Ceramic Mystery Rod

[Guest]

Earlier this week, I was in the back of my church's C-2 to see why the expression pedal felt stranger than usual.  I discovered the spring had popped off, and it has since been reattached....</p>

However, I noticed this strange, ceramic rod on the TG shelf.  (see pic below)  It appears to be a solid ceramic rod with a regular household lightbulb, screw type base. From this base are two indistinguishable  black, zip cord style, wires.  These wires are dangling, attached to nothing, and serving no obvious purpose.  I usally service my C-3, L111 and M111, and I have never heard of or seen anything like this.  Does anyone know what this is?</p>

 </p>

http://gallery.me.com/robbiemccarthy/100057/IMG_0073/web.jpg</p>

 </p>

There is the link to the JPG, I'm having trouble getting the image to post.</p>

 </p>

Thanks!</p>

RM </p>

 </p>

[Guest]

Re: Ceramic Mystery Rod



From your description that sounds like a Damp-Chaser. It gets hot to keep condensation from occuring inside the instrument,</P>


I can't think of any other purpose.</P>


Al</P>

[Guest]

Re: Ceramic Mystery Rod



Thanks for the quick reply!</p>

Should the wires coming from the base be connected to anything for it to function?</p>

 </p>

Robbie </p>

[andyg]

Re: Ceramic Mystery Rod



Well it sounds like it's a Damp Chaser type of device, but I've never seen one of this design before. Google Dampp Chaser (with that spelling) and you'll see what they usually look like.
</p>

I guess those two wires should be connected to something! I wouldn't like to just connect them up to the mains AC voltage without checking. Is there nothing on the device that gives a clue to the manufacturer.</p>

Andy
</p>

[geoelectro]

Re: Ceramic Mystery Rod



It's a heater that Hammond placed in many "weatherized" organs. It's 600 ohms and it does plug into the mains. It is usually connected so it is always on even with the organ off. If you have a high humidity environment, you may want to re-connect it. Otherwise, Hammonds are not all that sensitive to humidity.</p>

George
</p>

[Guest]

Re: Ceramic Mystery Rod



<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Futura; font-size: 14px; "><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; ">

Thank you for all your help!  I appreciate the responses.... </p>

This  heater device is even more strange now, because the organ is located in the desert of Phoenix, Arizona.  But I guess thats why it was unplugged.</p>

 </p>

Thanks again!</p>

RM </p></div></span></p>