I have noticed over the years that Violanos will stay in tune better when
their light is left on and things are kept at a relatively constant
temperature.  Humidity changes in a room is also moderated somewhat by
the higher (maybe 2 degrees max) temperature inside the case.  Keeping
another small 40 watt bulb on the bottom shelf in a green bean can,
packed with fiberglass helps too, since the heat from the can rises, adds
to the top bulb, and tends to prevent the detuning effects of a damp
room, even though the temperature difference is very slight.  No damage
will result from these.

On the other hand, the temperature and humidity controllers in my opinion
work until the "new" wears off, and then the work involved cleaning them
up and de-scaling them, removing the mold and in general playing janitor
every week gets a little "much."  The simple way is the best.

In regard to broken Violano plates, The concentrated tension at the
center of the Violano plate where it is also thinnest and weakest is what
is actually responsible and where they all break.  To prevent this from
happening, the owner should check the tightness of the plate in the
center with the pin plank it is clamped to.  If he can slide a piece of
paper between them, he should take all the tension off the strings and
call a technician right away.

The plate bolts are rather small in my opinion and need to be (at least)
re-tightened, but NOT while the tension is still on the plate.  That is
how they get broken.  If the bolts are not threaded tightly and cannot be
really snubbed down powerfully, fix it or the same thing is going to
happen again and you may not be lucky enough that time to catch it.

Craig Brougher