Source for step-up transformers

Roual Ranes · From: Atlanta, Texas, USA

With the low voltage problems in this area, you need individual step--up transformers for a 110 line. There used to be some that would handle about two guitar amps but I haven't seen one in years.
I guess they are still made and every musician should have one.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

There was a thread a bit ago that mentioned a power conditioner that not only suppressed surges, but pulled voltage up if it sagged. Much cleverer than a step-up transformer, which could only move a fixed margin (unless it had numerous primary taps, which sounds expensive and complicated), it'd give a consistent output regardless of the input. If I could remember any of the terms in the discussion, I'd search it for you. But I don't recall them. Perhaps someone does.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

If you knew the voltage was going to be stable for a show, you might be able to get by with a variac and a volt meter. But in my experience, if AC power is a problem, the voltage isn't often stable either. Add to this the fact that this isn't a very elegant solution.

What you probably need, IMO, is a voltage regulator. I always use a Furman AR-1215 rack-mountable voltage regulator. It regulates between ca. 97 and 141 volts to a reasonable value, and also trues up a distorted voltage waveform. Mine has saved my butt in quite a number of crazy power situations - generator power, playing offshore on a barge powered by a long power cable run from onshore, you name it. Without the regulator, in these situations, every time the bass player hit a loud, sustained note, I could measure the AC voltage dropping down into the 90s. That Furman has never let me down yet, but I suppose there could be some way to screw up the power so bad that it can't fix it.

The main issue is that these types of rack-mountable units aren't cheap. There are cheaper alternatives - I did a simple forum search with search terms voltage regulator, and got plenty of earlier threads on this. This one and others discuss reasonable cheaper alternatives - http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=244278

I personally like the convenience of having the voltage regulator in a rack with my TubeFex, but I think some of the cheaper units, I believe designed for office use, work OK.

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

I have a unit built by TrippLite that I have had since the mid 70's. It will keep the line voltage pretty stable in case it falls or rises. I played in a place that whenever I hit a "fat" chord on C6, the amps pilot lights and lights on stage would all dim (the amps would start distorting). This fixed the problem.
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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.

Roual Ranes · From: Atlanta, Texas, USA

Thanks for the info. I searched another thread and this seems to be the answer: APC Line-R 1200 VA.
It seems to be about what I remember.(especially the
reset button). I go back to the days when a Bogen 35 was a "killer" PA, so you can imagine the changes. Laughing

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

Gosh. I remember Bogen PA's. The music world instantly changed though, when Fender came out with the Vocal Master. Oh, the "good ole days". Laughing

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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.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I thought the Vocal Master was a Shure product.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

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

OOPS! You're right Lane. Goes to show what a lack of sleep does to you. I'll leave the mistake as a reminder to everyone to get some sleep. Laughing

_________________
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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