Static attack! Time to get the humidifiers going

wolfie:

How exactly did you rid static (an LED light)?

I only experience it with low humidity, so my simple fix is to increase such and it works 100% of the time.

This said, I still ground myself before touching the tonearm (just an old habit/motor memory).

DeKay

Just add humidity.

I place a couple of large/wide/shallow enameled metal bowls out when we have Santa Ana winds and/or start using the heat and let the filtered tap water evaporate.

One placed in the main bedroom and one in the living room (both placed on the tops of fairly high 5'+ cabinets due to our cats).

Aside from Hi-fi stuff I also sleep/breathe better .

I used to use an ultrasonic humidifier, but got tired of cleaning/sterilizing it between fills.

The evaporative bowls work just as well.

DeKay

As I mentioned these are the healthiest and the easiest to maintain (see pick) and one per room should do it.

You mentioned dogs, so you would have to place them higher up as do I.

I use attractive vintage bowls that are 3"-4" high with the smallest being 12" in diameter and they last 2-3 days during the winter and/or during the Santa Ana winds.

If you don't want to use bowls then 2nd best (health wise) would be an electrical "cool" evaporative humidifier (avoid the warm mist designs). 

They require that the filters be cleaned or replaced often.

Ultrasonic humidifiers needs to be kept impeccably clean/sterile as otherwise they can spread bacteria in a very fine/breathable mist which is a health hazard to everyone in the household.

They also require extremely pure water (like double distilled) in order that they operate/mist as designed.

I've had allergy/sinus problems since the 80's which is why I'm so picky and why I no longer use ultrasonic or warm mist humidifiers.

DeKay

The following link provides detailed instructions on how to operate the Zerostat.

I find it (Zerostat) effective, but using it correctly (both slow draw "and" release are required) is not intuitive and requires practice.

I usually don't need it, but it can come in handy when I first install a 100% wool mat or the OEM Thorens rubber mat.

DeKay

PK:

The OEM rubber is my least favorite, but I still use it as a "shim" mat with the wool on top for exceedingly thin imports LP’s.

I prefer my DIY cork spot mat, but it’s fragile (paper base) and I’m on my 3rd effort @ this point.

This said, we have different decks and it would be better, IMO, to go with advice from those with a Rega, such as yours, in regard to mats/sonics.

As far a static goes I just nip it @ the source/cause and up the humidity, which offers numerous benefits in addition to the HiFi ones.

Too low humidity also has adverse affects on older furniture (we have a bed frame, a bentwood settee and a Tansu cabinet that are 100+ to 200+ years old in range that took a dive) and my wooden walking cane purchased new in 1973 also took a hit when I didn’t keep up on maintaining comfortable levels for 2-3 years.

I knew the drill having owned vintage Fender/Martin electric/acoustic guitars in the way past, but just got lazy/preoccupied with other stuff.

I’ve remedied most of the damage done to the bed frame and my cane, but the Tansu cabinet is only a little bit better with increased humidity (it has odd woods like pear wood, so further research is needed before I resort to using moisturizers and or glue/joint shims).

DeKay

Totally OT, but since this thread includes the Zerostat...

I've used the product for years and after using it for its intended purpose I have a tendency to (this day) keep it in hand an "shock" my earlobe with it (right earlobe as I'm right handed).

I don't consider this to be normal/logical behavior (and I don't do it excessively - just a few times), but am I alone in this behavior?

Think that I may have posted about this before, without any responses.

DeKay