Any stories of rackmount power conditioners saving gear?

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sixstringking713

sixstringking713

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Any you guys have stories of rackmount power conditioners actually saving a piece of your gear?

I'm considering buying a 1U rackmount power conditioner for my setup but not sure if it is worth it. The 'cheap' models dont even include actual power conditioning circuitry until you get up into the more expensive models.. Wondering what your guys' take on it is or if you have any suggestions on what power conditioners to purchase?
 
Most power conditioners seem to be just surge protectors. Voltage regulators might help, but I've at least heard rumors of horror stories of the voltage regulator failing and taking the gear with it (which honestly seems unlikely to me, but who knows). So... I just velcro a surge protector in the back of my rack and cross my fingers.
 
Many of the lower cost "power conditioners" are just expensive outlets with a surge protector. That's it.

When you get into Voltage Regulators, then you are getting something that will actually do something for your voltage sensitive amplifier. Still a bunch of outlets, yet the regulator will provide a constant flow of voltage, rather than the less than steady bar voltage. Amps need steady voltage.

I have had a stage where most of the outlets were all on the same circuit. I didn't know at the time, but when the lights went on, the circuit overloaded and everything "blew." My gear was plugged into my Furman and it was ALL fine. I can't say what would have happened if there hadn't been a Furman in there, but I tell you...I wouldn't want to risk my amps.

Bite the bullet and buy Voltage Regulators or even the Power Factor Pro...you can find them used and both will do more than a garden variety "power conditioner/surge protector."
 
Don't waste your money on something cheap. Might as well just use a power strip. To get protection for your tube amp, you need a power conditioner with voltage regulation and over-voltage protection. And, you need good isolation. This will include Monster and the lower end Furman, Juice Goose, etc. They are just power distributors with a fuse.

I use a Furman AR-1215. Keeps input voltage regulated at +/-5V, plus all the other stuff. I guess in the end, it depends on the value of the gear you are protecting. If you happen to play a gig with portable power and they are running lights on it as well as stage, watch the voltage and cycles fluctuate. Not good for your amp.
 
GtarLover":2sb4n67d said:
Many of the lower cost "power conditioners" are just expensive outlets with a surge protector. That's it.

When you get into Voltage Regulators, then you are getting something that will actually do something for your voltage sensitive amplifier. Still a bunch of outlets, yet the regulator will provide a constant flow of voltage, rather than the less than steady bar voltage. Amps need steady voltage.

I have had a stage where most of the outlets were all on the same circuit. I didn't know at the time, but when the lights went on, the circuit overloaded and everything "blew." My gear was plugged into my Furman and it was ALL fine. I can't say what would have happened if there hadn't been a Furman in there, but I tell you...I wouldn't want to risk my amps.

Bite the bullet and buy Voltage Regulators or even the Power Factor Pro...you can find them used and both will do more than a garden variety "power conditioner/surge protector."
Click to expand...


Got mine off CL for $100, they go for $400 new. :thumbsup:
 
Twice have had my voltage regulator get fried - but not one piece of gear. It saved me $10k plus at least twice. They are like a Secret Service agent jumping in front of the President and taking the bullet. ;)
 
Just ordered a voltage regulator/power conditioner myself...i'd rather spend a few to several hundred dollars up front than have one of my heads go (especially since they are all fairly expensive). Especially useful if you play live based on what I have heard from several people.

Here's what I got, it is a voltage regulator first and then a power conditioner: http://www.furmansound.com/product.php? ... d=P-1800AR

If you have any questions at all, just call furman up, I found them to be incredibly helpful. Made sense of all the "technical jargon" in no time. Also, steve_k was incredibly helpful, thanks steve :thumbsup:
 
I have a Tripp Lite ...it's like 3 rack spaces. I got it at MSC or Grainger industrial supply YEARS ago for about 300 bucks. It has A/C outlets on the back AND the front (cool for a pedal board), over volt protection, circuit breaker, and isolated A/C lines...it helped with noisy power in our crappy rehersal room too.
 
Bought a Furman AR-1215 after an outlet at a club blew one of my amp fuses right before a show was to start. It's a nightmare to be sitting there 30 minutes prior to start with a dead amp. So I can't say the Furman has saved gear since I had it, but I haven't had any more problems either. I feel a lot better by having it.
 
I use 2 devices:
1. Monster pro 2500 for conditioning and when I play places with decent power.
2. Tripp Lite LC1200 (right around $100 new), guys with home stereo gear use these to protect their stuff and it really does help out when you have spotty power.
LC1200
Line Conditioner / AVR System - Automatic voltage regulator / Power conditioner / AC surge suppressor

Premium automatic voltage regulation (AVR), power conditioning and AC surge suppression
Maintains regulated 120V nominal output over an input range of 89 to 147V
1200 watt / 10 amp capacity
4 NEMA 5-15R outlets, 7 foot AC cord
LEDs display incoming voltage range, surge suppression and line fault status
$25,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance (USA, Puerto Rico & Canada only)
 
If I was gigging again I would definitely use a voltage regulator. I had a few instances where the low voltage at a gig caused a Soldano mod of a 2nd Master for my 2203 to not work because the the switching relay wouldn't get enough voltage to actually function. Luckily Soldano re-worked it to work at lower voltages but lesson learned.
 
turtlefingers":31x6064l said:
Unfortunately my city is 220V and there is no power conditioner which convert 220v to 110V...
Click to expand...

Use a 1500 watt Stac Power Transformer (or similar) into the wall to convert the power from 220 to 110, then plug your Furman voltage regulator/conditioner into this. Good to roll then. We have 2 different voltages in my area and I have to set up to go either way.
 
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