Power conditioner/Surge protector

  • Thread starter Thread starter klugster
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klugster

klugster

Well-known member
My amp collection has grown quite a bit to 5 amps. I've been using a standard 5 plug power strip(cheapy) I'm ready to do an upgrade. Something in the $100ish range, strictly home playing. Looked at a Furman SS-6B-PRO 6-outlet Pro on Sweetwater, anyone have any suggestions around this range or save for a better one? I'll be powering:
Mesa Mark III
Mesa Mark Iv
Egnator Vengeance
Crate BV60
Fender Blues Jr
Pedal Board.
 
I've got a Monster Pro 3500 in my rack to power everything. I've seen some go for a little over $100 and I've always liked mine. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with Furman.
 
Almost all of the Monster and Furman stuff are glorified extension cords. Which is fine but none of those things are improving/regulating/monitoring your power in any way. And for what they do they are criminally expensive. I've got an old Eaton T800 here that does those things but it is heavy, has a big 'ole fan and cost me around $7-800.
 
I would agree with tallcoolone regarding his comment on “glorified extension cords”. I’ve been using Tripp Lite’s LCR2400 for powering up to 3 all-valve half stacks simultaneously) one of them a hefty 210w all-valve bass head and a few small racks with rack fx and pedals with zero issues. Power is clean, but it takes 3U and weighs a lot compared to the 1U power strip.
 
Subyrocket said:
I would agree with tallcoolone regarding his comment on “glorified extension cords”. I’ve been using Tripp Lite’s LCR2400 for powering up to 3 all-valve half stacks simultaneously) one of them a hefty 210w all-valve bass head and a few small racks with rack fx and pedals with zero issues. Power is clean, but it takes 3U and weighs a lot compared to the 1U power strip.
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That is an interesting unit—is it noisy at all?
 
It’s one generation older than the current image you can see online so it’s got some age now. It has a distinct hum when I power it on, similar to when I power on my older ‘72 Marshall. Sounds like it’s working in other words but other than that half second of powering on, I don’t hear it hum unless I put my ear so close to it. I like it, allows for wall wart supplies because there is space between the outlets but it’s a hefty thing. It sits by itself in an skb shallow rack.
 
tallcoolone said:
That is an interesting unit—is it noisy at all?
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Incidentally, I just picked up another used one yesterday, the current/newest version, as it came up on a local sale page. I gave it a quick test with my multimeter to ensure all outlets produced the same wall voltages at the location I picked it up which was a noisy public location so I couldn’t determine if it was as noisy when initially powering up as with the older spec. I’ll check it out later today when I have time. Overkill and bulky I recognize but the first one has served me very well and I’ve got far too many amps that can use this unit if need be.
 
glpg80 said:
I use the Furman P-1800 PFR and love it.
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Wanted a Monster Power Pro 3500 because back then, I thought Monster was a good brand. I always wanted what you have or the P-1800 AR versions for a 1U but when it came down to it, I could never really justify paying that type of money for it, especially when I don’t gig, and have the LCR2400 that has an insane amount of outlets with the dreaded wall wart spacing.
 
Subyrocket said:
Wanted a Monster Power Pro 3500 because back then, I thought Monster was a good brand. I always wanted what you have or the P-1800 AR versions for a 1U but when it came down to it, I could never really justify paying that type of money for it, especially when I don’t gig, and have the LCR2400 that has an insane amount of outlets with the dreaded wall wart spacing.
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The PFR is all that I trust for my rack gear. It’s not a glorified extension chord as others have insinuated above. It can provide surge current demands typical of analog amps and is made for audio gear.

The AR model you mentioned though is a POS - it can only regulate voltage to within +/- 5 Vrms according to the specs which in tube amps is enough to fry tubes. The PFR is amazing for supplying clean surge current for power hungry tube amps and also eliminating noise.

If anyone’s interested in a decent voltage regulator I recommend the Black Lion PG-2R voltage regulator/conditioner. It’s got the tightest regulation window I’m aware of.
 
glpg80 said:
The PFR is all that I trust for my rack gear. It’s not a glorified extension chord as others have insinuated above. It can provide surge current demands typical of analog amps and is made for audio gear.

The AR model you mentioned though is a POS - it can only regulate voltage to within +/- 5 Vrms according to the specs which in tube amps is enough to fry tubes. The PFR is amazing for supplying clean surge current for power hungry tube amps and also eliminating noise.

If anyone’s interested in a decent voltage regulator I recommend the Black Lion PG-2R voltage regulator/conditioner. It’s got the tightest regulation window I’m aware of.
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Funny that after googling what the Black Lion was, it looks identical to the Monster Power Pro 3500. Not saying it is/has anything to do with the designing of the discontinued Monster, however it would make sense if there was a connection through a previous employer haha.

I vaguely recall the Monster being a glorified power strip but as to why, it’s been far too many years to recall.

Good to know on the Furman P1800-AR though!
 
Matt300ZXT said:
I've got a Monster Pro 3500 in my rack to power everything. I've seen some go for a little over $100 and I've always liked mine. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with Furman.
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Nice, I have 1 also. Bought it new when they were $300 at Guitar Center.
It's still in service..
 
I have a P-2400 AR for my amps and an F-1500UPS for my monitors/computer. Both are on separate 20 amp circuits.

I can't seem to find a 20 amp conditioner like the 1800pfr or a regulator like the black lion. I've had voltage as low as 120 and as high as 127. Both units were able to regulate voltage pretty quickly and effectively but my gear never leaves my house. We do get some nasty storms here occasionally so I try to fire everything up when there isn't a huge strain on the panel from the ACs or during a storm.
 
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