Clean Power for my TV/Components

[aphex]

The wiring in my house is shyte. The grill likes to trip the circuit breaker. Turning the lights on the the bathroom causes my computer speakers to fart. Lights like to dim randomly....

As my new tv is on its way, what do you guys recommend i use to protect it?

Belkin PureAV?
Monster Powercenter?

Just a standard computer battery backup w/ power cleaner?

UPDATE: Please read my post below... $200 limit

 

[mercanucaribe]

Monster Powercenter will keep the gremlins out.

 

[MX2]

Interesting, I was just thinking about buying one of these products the other day, but I also am a bit over which would be best.

EDIT: Can a regular UPS intended for PC components handle protecting a large TV, receiver, etc.?

 

[spacejamz]

there was a thread a few weeks ago on the chubby wallet site for some belkin line conditioners...seemed to be pretty good deals there...I picked one up for $130 shipped...

 

[Mark R]

Just get a semi-decent surge supressor. Not much point in spending money on voltage regulators or line conditioners - the TV will already have sophisticated regulators and filters - however, it's built in surge supression will probably only be basic level.

To be fair, if you're getting lights dimming, and breakers tripping - then your wiring is inadequate and needs to be upgraded. Fannying about with power cleaners and stuff is like trying to put a band-aid on a festering tumour.

Indeed, installing a surge supressor on inadequate wiring is not recommended, nor particularly effective.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Mark R
Just get a semi-decent surge supressor. Not much point in spending money on voltage regulators or line conditioners - the TV will already have sophisticated regulators and filters - however, it's built in surge supression will probably only be basic level.

To be fair, if you're getting lights dimming, and breakers tripping - then your wiring is inadequate and needs to be upgraded. Fannying about with power cleaners and stuff is like trying to put a band-aid on a festering tumour.

Indeed, installing a surge supressor on inadequate wiring is not recommended, nor particularly effective.

What do you recommend?

 

[NutBucket]

Rewire the house. I mean come on, I live in a house with 1940's wiring and don't have the problems you have.

 

[Mutilator]

Do your neighbors have similar power problems?

I'd say give something like a Cyberpower UPS w/AVR a try... one of the higher end ones.
BestBuy has them on sale right now - 1200VA w/AVR for $90.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Mutilator
Do your neighbors have similar power problems?

I'd say give something like a Cyberpower UPS w/AVR a try... one of the higher end ones.
BestBuy has them on sale right now - 1200VA w/AVR for $90.

I've heard of issues with bad power delivery while on battery. Get an APC.
I saw an INCREDIBLE deal @ compusa of all places but had no money for it:

a 15oova APC UPS for $150

 

[Baked]

Rewire your entire house w/ 12 gauge heavy duty power lines. Or get a BPT power conditioner. Or a PS Audio Power Plant power regenerator.

 

[Mutilator]

You might also want to check with your power company and see if they offer a whole house UPS system like Progress Energy does. Basically cleans up your power at the source instead of relying on individual units in exchange for a monthly fee. The few people I know that pay for them have nothing but good things to say.

 

[MisterJackson]

By a nuclear power plant...

<Burns>Exccceeeellleeeennntttt....</Burns>

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: MX2times
Interesting, I was just thinking about buying one of these products the other day, but I also am a bit over which would be best.

EDIT: Can a regular UPS intended for PC components handle protecting a large TV, receiver, etc.?

Yes and no. Avoid all UPS that output a "stepped" or "approximated" sine wave. Computers have switching power supplies that are able to handle these power inputs. Most electronics are not, and can be damaged over time. If you do want to use a computer type UPS for your electronics, look for one that outputs a true sine wave.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: MX2times
Interesting, I was just thinking about buying one of these products the other day, but I also am a bit over which would be best.

EDIT: Can a regular UPS intended for PC components handle protecting a large TV, receiver, etc.?

Yes and no. Avoid all UPS that output a "stepped" or "approximated" sine wave. Computers have switching power supplies that are able to handle these power inputs. Most electronics are not, and can be damaged over time. If you do want to use a computer type UPS for your electronics, look for one that outputs a true sine wave.

I bought this one from Tiger Direct (local store, not online) for $59 to protect my wife's Dell and was thinking about getting another one to protect our Dish Network DVR's. But I can't tell if it has a stepped/approximate sine wave or true sine wave by looking at the specs. Can you tell or is there something else I should be looking for?

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: MX2times
Interesting, I was just thinking about buying one of these products the other day, but I also am a bit over which would be best.

EDIT: Can a regular UPS intended for PC components handle protecting a large TV, receiver, etc.?

Yes and no. Avoid all UPS that output a "stepped" or "approximated" sine wave. Computers have switching power supplies that are able to handle these power inputs. Most electronics are not, and can be damaged over time. If you do want to use a computer type UPS for your electronics, look for one that outputs a true sine wave.

I bought this one from Tiger Direct (local store, not online) for $59 to protect my wife's Dell and was thinking about getting another one to protect our Dish Network DVR's. But I can't tell if it has a stepped/approximate sine wave or true sine wave by looking at the specs. Can you tell or is there something else I should be looking for?

Honestly, I can't tell. The manufacturer doesn't give that information in their specs, unfortunately.

http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_de...s.php?cPath=35&pPath=154&productID=154

Their engineers may know if you contact them.

 

[aphex]

Im still checking out the belkin ones. Unfortunately with my new Sanus tv stand (glass shelves), i really need something that looks like a component so i can place it on the shelf itself, rather than hide it behind...

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: Mark R
Just get a semi-decent surge supressor. Not much point in spending money on voltage regulators or line conditioners - the TV will already have sophisticated regulators and filters - however, it's built in surge supression will probably only be basic level.

To be fair, if you're getting lights dimming, and breakers tripping - then your wiring is inadequate and needs to be upgraded. Fannying about with power cleaners and stuff is like trying to put a band-aid on a festering tumour.

Indeed, installing a surge supressor on inadequate wiring is not recommended, nor particularly effective.

I recommend this as well. Unless you like to throw some money away, then by all means get something that says "Monster Cable" on it!

 

[KMurphy]

First, I'd check with your utility to see if there is a problem on their end. If there's nothing they can or will do without charging you, then I would go for one of these:

http://www.solaheviduty.com/products/powerconditioning/mcr_hard.htm

UPS systems are basically crap IMHO; especially the lower end units with square wave outputs and open transitions when switching from line AC to battery backup.

The Sola ferroresonant power conditioner will output 100% voltage with 80% input continuously at full load. It will output 100% voltage with lower than 80% input at less than 100% load (there is a curve depicting this on the spec page). There are no batteries to replace and it will smooth out just about anything that comes at it. We have these units installed at our plant in service continuously for 30 years.


Here is the operating charicteristics document:
http://www.solaheviduty.com/products/powerconditioning/pdfs/opchars.pdf
These are pricey, but are more reliable than UPS systems and they don't require maintenance.

 

[SithSolo1]

How about this?

 

[spacejamz]

Belkin PureAV PF30 - $99 Shipped

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: KMurphy
First, I'd check with your utility to see if there is a problem on their end. If there's nothing they can or will do without charging you, then I would go for one of these:

http://www.solaheviduty.com/products/powerconditioning/mcr_hard.htm

UPS systems are basically crap IMHO; especially the lower end units with square wave outputs and open transitions when switching from line AC to battery backup.

The Sola ferroresonant power conditioner will output 100% voltage with 80% input continuously at full load. It will output 100% voltage with lower than 80% input at less than 100% load (there is a curve depicting this on the spec page). There are no batteries to replace and it will smooth out just about anything that comes at it. We have these units installed at our plant in service continuously for 30 years.


Here is the operating charicteristics document:
http://www.solaheviduty.com/products/powerconditioning/pdfs/opchars.pdf
These are pricey, but are more reliable than UPS systems and they don't require maintenance.

QFA

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Belkin PureAV PF30 - $99 Shipped

Is it worth the $65 upgrade to the PF40? (Digitally Unique)

 

[aphex]

^

 

[AlienCraft]

Without a good ground, you could spend a zillion bucks on outboard gear and still get crap power.
For really clean power, go Differential aka Balanced Power.
Balanced Power Conditioner From FURMAN SOUND
BTW..... DO NOT ADD an ADDITIONAL ground rod AWAY from the one that feeds the ground buss on the main circuit breaker panel. Having multiple paths to ground is unsafe and an NEC code violation.

 

[Mark R]

Most surge supressors will be adequate, although the higher the rating (in Joules) the longer it will be before a surge big enough to kill it comes along. 1500 - 2500 Joules is a reasonable enough range for protecting appliances. Bigger surges are uncommon, and when they do occur are usually enormous (due to direct or close lightning) and very difficult to protect against.

I'm not going to make any specific recommendations as I'm not familiar with US models.

There's not a lot to choose from between differnent products technically. The active components of a reasonable surge supressor will cost about $1-2 - so the bulk of the money you pay doesn't go on components, but instead goes on insurance and warranty.

If you truely do have a power quality problem, or are in an area at risk of storm damage (especially if you have overhead power lines) then I'd check the insurance they offer, and more importantly, read some testimonials to see if they do actually pay up, or just blow you off.

Of course, before buying an expensive surge protector, I'd first check my household insurance policy - these often cover lighting or electrical surge damage. No point in buying an expensive surge protector for its insurance if you're already covered.