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Topic: What type power bar do I need |
Nigel Mullen
From:
Cassilis, New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 9 Jun 2009 5:42 pm |
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| I have a chance to do some outdoor gigs this summer where the power supply will be a generator. Is there a risk of damaging my amp etc with this type of power. Is there a power bar designed that would protect my equipment from damage? Appreciate any help you can give me. Nigel |
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Chuck Snider R.I.P.
From:
West Virginia, USA - Morgantown, WV
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Posted 9 Jun 2009 7:13 pm
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Hi Nigel, I hope all is well. I'm still enjoying those magazines I got from you! So glad I landed those!
As for your power question, I'm no expert in this area at all, but i saw a post by someone else in here that mentioned getting one of those units used for PC's to avoid power outages, or at least allow enough time to power down the PC. I think they're referred to as UPS units??? My understanding of those is that they maintain the power at a constant and stable level at all times. The real question if you're running off a generator is whether that same unit would also filter the line voltage so you don't get spikes, which i believe is inherent in electric coming from a generator. I got a small one of those for a slightly different reason to hold power to a PA Speaker mgmt system, but if I recall it was maybe around $50-60.
Maybe one of these electronic guru's on here can comment as to whether I'm even close with my suggestion. The other factors may also be the equipment you're using. If you're using a tube amp with a goodrich pedal, there might not be much to worry about. Or if you're using a solid state amp with a hilton pedal and several solid state effects boxes, you may have a lot to worry about. Or, maybe the reverse of those last two sentences.
Then again, maybe I should quit babbling and let the experts set things straight.
Anyway, good luck!!
Your pal,
-Chuck
_________________
GFI U-12 Ultra Keyless, Carter Black U-12, both with Alumitones, and a sweet '70 Sho-Bud Permanent D-10, NV400 in Rick Johnson cabs, NV112, '73 Vibrosonic in Rick Johnson cabs, Hilton pedal, Steeler's Choice seat, Bessdang Gizmos from Dale Hansen, and a few other widgets and doodads.
I may not sound good, I just don't wanna sound bad. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 9 Jun 2009 8:08 pm
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Nigel get a surge protector !!
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Jun 2009 10:51 pm
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My answer as a sound man is that I won't touch power from a generator unless it is properly grounded by a licensed electrician.
In addition, you will need to protect your equipment from voltage fluctuations and spikes. A power conditioner that cuts off when the voltage is too high or too low should do the trick. |
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Nigel Mullen
From:
Cassilis, New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 10 Jun 2009 4:10 am
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| Chuck good to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed the magazines. You brought up a good point though on what type of equipment I'm using. Right now I'm using: Nashville 112, Hilton Pedal, Danelectro Delay, Danelectro fish & Chips EQ for dobro sounds. Thanks Paddy and Lynn for your replys. The surge protector would protect against surges but what about low voltage? It's a five piece band so there will be a fair amount of demand on the power supply. Thanks for helping me Nigel |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2009 7:08 am
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I think you need a unit like this:
It protects from surges and low power.
There are light on the unit that show just what power is on the line.
If it is too high or too low, it will kick out.
Otherwise, it will regulate the power.
I have one in my rack.
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2009 8:50 am
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This just kinda* came up a bit back:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=1401111&highlight=#1401111
I kinda* agree, though, generators out in the humid, puddly, unregulated, uninspected outdoors kinda scare me - there are ground fault detection devices that reduce the odds of the zappies, but ya* don't just want to wing it with an Ebay model, ya know? 
Bzzz, bzzz, bzzzt.
*(Sarah Palin: how can we miss you when you never, ever go away?)  |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 10 Jun 2009 9:12 am
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And we should all carry one of these little outlet circuit testers in our pac-a-seats:
Click Here
Lee, from South Texas |
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Bill A. Moore
From:
Silver City, New Mexico, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2009 11:15 am
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Having played many gigs with generator power, I never lost any equipment, however, I brought my own wiring, and ground rods, and did all the power connections. Back then line conditioners were out of reach for us, and maybe we were lucky.
If I only had to protect an amp and some pedals, I'd probably get some sort of UPS type system used for computers. They are fairly cheap now.
I have lost a few power amps to standard house power, (always seemed to happen on the 3rd set). I think maybe we had everything pulling max power, and the refrigeration systems would come on, and draw the voltage too low, just a theory. |
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Dale Tiemessen
From:
New Hampton,Ia. U.S.A.
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Posted 10 Jun 2009 3:12 pm
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| Get your self a power conditior. It will save you money in the long run. I had a DPC 750 in the shop twice before I got smart. And not just from a generater. |
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Nigel Mullen
From:
Cassilis, New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 11 Jun 2009 2:35 pm
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| Thanks so much for all your replys. Much appreciated. Nigel |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2009 6:52 am
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The unit I talked about above is also available in this type of configuration:
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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