power conditioner... yes or no??

[spp]

hey all:

i'm thinkign about getting a power conditioner because the voltage of my outlet varies a lot (and may be the cause of my monitor fade in/out .........)

do you recommend it? does it work??
Thanks

 

[FoBoT]

you should buy a good UPS , UPS are worth their weight in jelly beans, i mean , gold

 

[spp]

does UPS also condition power?? i thought it only backs up when there's power outage..

but which brand would you recommend though?

 

[spp]

i was looking at the APC line-R power conditioner... dunno if it's a good one

 

[amdskip]

I don't think ups power condition but it does sound like you need a power conditioner.

 

[FoBoT]

i think if a UPS has a sine-wave output , then it also acts as a power conditioner, i am looking for a link/confirmation of this

 

[spp]

well i don't need anything fancy.... i just want to stabilize the voltage on my outlet so my computer does not do weird things on me....

 

[spp]

o and can someone help me find out the difference between 1250VA and 600VA of APC line-R products?? THe specs are similar while one is heavier than the other.. i'm guess just better parts?

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

Originally posted by: spp
o and can someone help me find out the difference between 1250VA and 600VA of APC line-R products?? THe specs are similar while one is heavier than the other.. i'm guess just better parts?

higher capacity, it can handle more appliances....

 

[MWink]

Any Line-Interactive UPS will condition power. Stand-By UPS's are the only ones that do not condition power. I suggest you go for the APC Back-UPS Pro 420 or 650. They have the best line conditioning capability of all the UPS's I've used. Line conditioning has nothing to do with Sine Wave output. The difference between the two Line-R's is their max capacity.

 

[spp]

so would a power conditioner work fine or should i go for a ups?? i basically just want to have stable voltage level

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: MWink
Any Line-Interactive UPS will condition power. Stand-By UPS's are the only ones that do not condition power. I suggest you go for the APC Back-UPS Pro 420 or 650. They have the best line conditioning capability of all the UPS's I've used. Line conditioning has nothing to do with Sine Wave output. The difference between the two Line-R's is their max capacity.

thank you ! i knew some of them did something that conditioned the output all the time

 

[MWink]

Originally posted by: spp
so would a power conditioner work fine or should i go for a ups?? i basically just want to have stable voltage level

I really think it's worth it to spend the extra on a UPS. I still consider my 4 year old APC Back-UPS Pro 650 to be one of the best investments I've made.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: spp
i'm thinkign about getting a power conditioner because the voltage of my outlet varies a lot

Are you sure? Or do you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and you need something electronic to buy?

 

[spp]

Originally posted by: MWink

Originally posted by: spp
so would a power conditioner work fine or should i go for a ups?? i basically just want to have stable voltage level

I really think it's worth it to spend the extra on a UPS. I still consider my 4 year old APC Back-UPS Pro 650 to be one of the best investments I've made.

could you elaborate more on why you think it's better than just power conditioner?? i guess i'm choosing between the two (while one is a lot more expensive than the other).
thanks

 

[spp]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001

Originally posted by: spp
i'm thinkign about getting a power conditioner because the voltage of my outlet varies a lot

Are you sure? Or do you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and you need something electronic to buy?

well my monitor fades in/out a lot in my room... but was fine in my roomate's.....

and plus i measured it using a voltmeter..

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: spp

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001

Originally posted by: spp
i'm thinkign about getting a power conditioner because the voltage of my outlet varies a lot

Are you sure? Or do you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and you need something electronic to buy?

well my monitor fades in/out a lot in my room... but was fine in my roomate's.....

and plus i measured it using a voltmeter..

If your power fluctuates then wouldn't the solution be to physcially fix the line problem rather than condition the output?

 

[spp]

who is gonna fix the problem though? i think it's more of a in house wiring problem, so pg&e probbably won't fix it.... and i don't think my apartment manager will unless the line is physically dead

 

[mithrandir2001]

The apartment manager should handle the problem but I well understand that such is easier said than done.

 

[spp]

yea the voltage swing has been a problem... especially in berkeley since most buildings are so old ...

 

[MWink]

Originally posted by: spp

Originally posted by: MWink

Originally posted by: spp
so would a power conditioner work fine or should i go for a ups?? i basically just want to have stable voltage level

I really think it's worth it to spend the extra on a UPS. I still consider my 4 year old APC Back-UPS Pro 650 to be one of the best investments I've made.

could you elaborate more on why you think it's better than just power conditioner?? i guess i'm choosing between the two (while one is a lot more expensive than the other).
thanks

It's better because it has a battery. If the voltage gets too low or high a line conditioner still isn't going to help much. A UPS will protect you from EVERYTHING. As I said the voltage regulation is excellent on the BP650S. Mine keeps it between 106 and 127 volts. At school the voltage is low and it kicks a few times an hour. Every time the fridge/microwave turns on it has to switch to battery for a second beacuse the voltage drops so low.

 

[spp]

hmm... so i guess i should get an ups.... but it's so expensive though....

 

[arod]

This is what I got $80

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11078935&m=488&cat=575&scat=577

 

[KEV1N]

Power Conditioner

 

[Ime]

Originally posted by: spp
hmm... so i guess i should get an ups.... but it's so expensive though....

Consider buying off Ebay. I got a Smart-UPS 700 (true sine-wave output and line conditioning) for $75, shipped.

Honestly, with the Dot Boom, EBay is flooded with used equipment at rock-bottom prices. Just be sure to buy from a seller with 1) A high rating, and 2) Accepts Credit Cards.