Any way to increase incoming voltage?. I am constantly at 109-111V during most of the day. I just happen to be on a leg with many Cannabis factories here in Mich and my local electric service provider (DTE) says this is the main reason. I do not think I will get any relief from them and will probably be ok when the weather cools, but very frustrating when I don't have enough juice to efficiently run a pair of monoblocks in a room I just built for listening. Any ideas on how to increase voltage?. I have native 200 amp service. Thanks for any input, Russ
Most power conditioners don’t have this feature because it is always expensive on account of the big, heavy iron and copper parts, and for most of us it is not needed. In your case you really do. Here’s the one I use when needed:
Make sure your wiring is up to snuff, and that if you have fuses they have not been altered from code. Voltage regulators aren’t magic, they trade voltage for current, so they may push the current a little more.
If you don’t mind spending more and want all the noise and surge protection bells and whistles, this is the fancy version:
Again, they key word here is "regulated." Furman makes a few conditioners which are regulated, and many that are not. Whatever brand you buy, you want to make sure it includes that phrase.
PS Audio regenerators do this, but at a severe cost penalty. Also, the Sanders Mag-Tech amps have built in compensation for this. Good amps by all accounts.
You're getting a steady 109-111V. So what again is the problem? None that I can see. Other than incompetent democrat government. But I repeat myself. But as far as electricity goes, there is no problem. US voltage is just as often quoted as 110 as 120, in either case its nominal, with zero ill effects anywhere in that range. Higher is marginally better but this just isn't anywhere near worth spending money on. Especially not when it immediately puts you in a situation of trying to find something high enough quality to not actually make things worse. If you were talking 105V that would be one thing. 109 to 111 is precisely where you ought to be, 110.
As for properly running your amps, by far the largest load they present is right at turn-on. Once their power supplies are charged then it becomes music draw, which even if your last name is VanHalen you still cannot draw as much playing music as charging the caps at turn-on. So relax. Visit the cannabis shop, get yourself some nice stinky green bud. Make the most of it.
118-120 should be the norm. I actually blew a fuse in one of the amps because of this. The system in no way sounds as good at 110 as it does at 120. Three dedicated 20 amp circuits with 10 Ga Romex The electric co says 110 is acceptable but they strive for minimum of115. Maybe the Torus Co has something to help me out.
120, is the US standard. 110 is not. It use to be 110-117. The older gear yes the newer gear NO. Plane and simple. Brown out is the worst when it comes to overheating, and in general shortening their life. My older valve, point to point stuff, I bring them up on a variac, for 2-3 days at 40-50VDC, and at again 90 or so. NEVER over 115 (117). Two three years in mothballs, gotta be careful. Do that with a new piece of equipment. Actually don't do that!!! It would go nuts...
Maintain 120 you'll be fine. 300.00 or so.. will get you what you need. Surge, filters above 20 khz and 40 khz, multi-copper outlets. It won't let you swap the PC. I added IEC to one of the 4 I use so I could see if it made a difference. It did not.. BUT it did make me feel better.
Maybe you could get a discount for the last few volts they keep, and you don't get. Seems fair to me. You get what you pay for. YOUR NOT..
That PS Audio is 5,000.00 USD, WOW. Really. I've seen folks buy a PS Audio product and ask, "What PC to use", I don't get it (I think that one was 9000.00) it doesn't come with the best in world? The only one that could possibly work the best, should be included.
Yeah, Some "Sticky Icky" will help... LOL Get the stuff with Purple and Red in it .Yummy ...The stuff that tastes like hash in the back of your throat .... Oh YEAH !!
You’re getting a steady 109-111V. So what again is the problem ... there is no problem. US voltage is just as often quoted as 110 as 120, in either case its nominal, with zero ill effects anywhere in that range ... 109 to 111 is precisely where you ought to be, 110.
No, that is completely mistaken. Nominal voltage in the US is 120VAC ± 5 percent and is regulated by each state, typically by an agency such as a Board of Public Utilities.
The OP should phone his utility with a low voltage complaint. If the utility isn’t responsive, he should put the complaint in writing and copy the regulatory agency. Then follow-up as necessary.
I went through a similar scenario years ago and getting satisfaction can take effort. But it’s worth it, imo.
grey9hound865 posts08-24-2020 8:00pmYeah, Some "Sticky Icky" will help... LOL Get the stuff with Purple and Red in it .Yummy ...The stuff that tastes like hash in the back of your throat .... Oh YEAH !!
I foret what are we talkin' about... /-) < that's "my eyes are heavy dude". Yes it is that time of year again...
I had DTE out and the tech climbed poles and replaced some parts but still not enough to make a difference. I will try to go up the ladder with my complaints and see what happens. Not crazy about spending 5 k on a regenerator just to enjoy my system when I already have a nice Audience conditioner. Thanks for the comments.
I had DTE out and the tech climbed poles and replaced some parts but still not enough to make a difference ...
My experience (with a different utility) was similar. You may need to be persistent to get the matter corrected. One thing you can request is that the utility place a voltage recorder on your lines - this would create a record of the utility's performance.
I use an Elgar industrial power conditioner (6006b) that specifically addresses this problem and makes my stereo sound much better in the process. You have to buy used unfortunately, but read around and you'll see universal positive reviews. It does need to be in another room though, as the transformer and fan are industrial. I interrupt my dedicated line in the crawlspace and it sits on a shelf down there.
Some people are similarly running on these new high power lithium ion camping units that can run an entire system with great results for reasonable sums of money.
Keep calling the electrical company. They allowed these cannabis factories to pop up in an area without sufficient supply lines. If they're going to ration service and you were there first raise hell on up the ladder as far as the regulatory agency.
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