Line Voltage

Mack Quinney · From: Texas, USA

Looking for a little help.

I am wondering if anyone one has experienced problems with variations in line voltage which is affecting their amps.

I can turn on any of my amps (not just the one I use for the steel) and one time get a great clean sound and the next get a lot of static. I am assuming this is a inconsistancy in the house voltage as delivered from the utility company. Second does anyone use a power conditioner and does it help with something like this?

This is driving me nuts so any help will keep me away from the crazy farm!

Thanks

Mack
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76 Emmons Push Pull, Williams 600, ShoBud Pro I, MSA Classic, Remington SteelMaster dbl 8, MSA Super Slide dbl 8, Gold Tone 6, And other instruments and equipment I can't afford.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I doubt that it's the AC line voltage that is causing your "static". Does the amp(s) do it when there is nothing plugged into them or if something is plugged in. Try to isolate the problem a little more.

AC power (more so low power) can cause amp to sound a little "funny" and if it gets too low usually they just won't work. But if it gets that low other things in the house will be having problems too. Same way if the voltage gets too high.

Where is regularly play the AC line voltage will get a little low at times (I've never actually measured it and I should) but all it does to my Nashville 112 is I lose a little volume and it tends to sound a little tinny. Our lead guitar player uses a Fender (I think) Deluxe Reverb and when we have low AC voltage he's constantly trying to adjust the amp and he complains about not sounding right.

Mack Quinney · From: Texas, USA

Thanks Jack,
The reason I think it is voltage is that it happens off an on with no changes to the amps or the settings. It happens as well on my PA amp with no signal input. One day it's clean and the next there is static. I haven't unplugged the steel from the amp so I will try that, but I don't think this is the problem.

I thought it might be the AC/Heat comming off and on, but I checked that and it's not the AC/Heat. It's not a hum as normally associated with grounding but just plane static. Strange.

Mack
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76 Emmons Push Pull, Williams 600, ShoBud Pro I, MSA Classic, Remington SteelMaster dbl 8, MSA Super Slide dbl 8, Gold Tone 6, And other instruments and equipment I can't afford.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Any motor could cause that, especially if it was on the AC power phase that the outlet(s) you are using. Along with the motors in the heating/AC system, there are motors in the refrigerator and even a butter warmer if it has that can cause it. I don't know about anything external to the house on the AC line. Check the AC power phase that the outlet you are using is on and see if you can find one on a different Phase and plug in the amp(s) to that.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

We could use a better definition...

Dennis Wallis · From: Arkansas

I use a line voltage regulator on my amp at the club to keep the power steady.I notice that the other equipment,especially the PA system,will fluctuate occasionally but not my amp. I bought this particular one off e-bay for about 30.00 I beliwve.There are several different ones (sizes) with different wattage ratings but one that will meet or exceed the power CONSUMPTION of your amp will work fine. Worth the money.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I agree that most amp noises aren't usually due to line voltage regulation problems. Wrong voltage level and waveform can certainly cause problems, but I'd be looking for computer monitors, transformers, motors, neon signs, or something like that.

I don't use a "power conditioner", but a "line voltage regulator" - in fact, a Furman AR-1215, which gives good regulation of both the voltage level and waveform at 120 VAC for any input voltage between 97 and 141 VAC. The downside is that a new one books for over $500 these days.

Mack Quinney · From: Texas, USA

Thanks guys for the responses.
Just got home and turned on both the steel amp and the PA amp....no static. Go figure. This morning you would have swore that I had snakes in it.

Donny, you might call it hissing, it is not a buzz or clicking, nor is it distorion. Don't notice any strange sounding notes, or detuning.

Gonna try some things this weekend.
1. Both amps are plugged into the same circuit gonna change that.
2. Gonna get out my volt meter and take some tests readings.

The amp is a session 500 and the PA amp is a Peavey 900 amp if that helps at all.

Thanks again for the posts and help. Currently I have the dryer running and things are fine. Maybe I just need to run the dryer!!! Smile

It's hard to trouble shoot when it happens off and on and not all of the time.

Thanks again.

Mack
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76 Emmons Push Pull, Williams 600, ShoBud Pro I, MSA Classic, Remington SteelMaster dbl 8, MSA Super Slide dbl 8, Gold Tone 6, And other instruments and equipment I can't afford.

Dennis Wallis · From: Arkansas

Dave,this is clearly a LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR.It handles 65o watts. I believe they are used on computers,etc. I also have one that handles 1350 watts around here somewhere. They do state that they are in fact regulators and NOT conditioners. They are metal boxes with plug ins on the rear. Work fine for me.I haven't been bothered with power dropping since I started using it a few years ago.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Thanks, Dennis. A little probing yielded several types.

All I ever see is UPS units at the usual office and electronics stores. But this APC 1200 VA unit is available at, e.g., Office Depot for $54.95:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/726332/VOLTAGE-REG-120V-127V/

There are lots of other units like this for comparable prices. I see that ebay has them for cheaper - some are used, some are blems, etc.

I'm not exactly sure how this compares to the Furman units like the AR-1215, but at 10% of the cost or less, it sounds like a decent, cost-effective solution. It can't be just the rack-mounting enclosure for the Furman. Nah. Or maybe? I dunno.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

I use a voltage regulator as well - a discontinued unit by a company called SDI. Ti has other functions, but that's the main one.

Agreed - noise is not voltage problems, but interference or loose wires somewhere.
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I use a Tripp Lite Line Stabilizer / Conditioner. It says on it that it is a low & high voltage regulator with ISOBAR isolated noise and spike supression. Started using it because of outdoor gigs and clubs where the voltage would drop and cause my amps to distort and my synthesizers to shut down and reboot. It will handle voltages between 87 - 140 volts and keep it steady at 120 volts.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

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