flickering disco lights with bass heavy music?

[cutter]

OK, so I decided to push my speakers a bit last night, to hear them sing. What I discovered was that at higher volumes on bass heavy music (but not really THAT high), the room lights started to flicker (in beat with the music, of course!). This hasn't ever happened before, and as much as I like disco, I'm concerned that something is rotten in Denmark.
The lights on the sub amps did the same thing, (RBH 400wpc x2). The lights on my Parasound 5250 appeared normal, no flickering. I have my fronts bi-amped.
I recently purchased a Newpoint 12-outlet surge protector, and when I looked at it, only three of the 5 front lights were lit, but the third one was flickering with the music as well. (up to 115v). the 120v and 125v lights were not lit. Of course I can't find the instruction manual help figure this out. When I turned the music off, 4 of the 5 lights on the surge protector were lit.
I've had the Newpoint for a couple of months, and haven't had this issue before.
I plugged the sub amps into wall sockets directly, and the problem vanished. So, is it a defective Newpoint? Or is it doing it's job correctly?
I'm confused, obviously!
Any advice would be welcomed... I can always return the Newpoint, but I don't want to do that if it's just going to happen again.

Thanks!

 

[TLS Guy]

OK, so I decided to push my speakers a bit last night, to hear them sing. What I discovered was that at higher volumes on bass heavy music (but not really THAT high), the room lights started to flicker (in beat with the music, of course!). This hasn't ever happened before, and as much as I like disco, I'm concerned that something is rotten in Denmark.
The lights on the sub amps did the same thing, (RBH 400wpc x2). The lights on my Parasound 5250 appeared normal, no flickering. I have my fronts bi-amped.
I recently purchased a Newpoint 12-outlet surge protector, and when I looked at it, only three of the 5 front lights were lit, but the third one was flickering with the music as well. (up to 115v). the 120v and 125v lights were not lit. Of course I can't find the instruction manual help figure this out. When I turned the music off, 4 of the 5 lights on the surge protector were lit.
I've had the Newpoint for a couple of months, and haven't had this issue before.
I plugged the sub amps into wall sockets directly, and the problem vanished. So, is it a defective Newpoint? Or is it doing it's job correctly?
I'm confused, obviously!
Any advice would be welcomed... I can always return the Newpoint, but I don't want to do that if it's just going to happen again.

Thanks!

I think the circuit your Newport is connected to is overloaded. In most homes wall outlets share circuits with lighting. HT systems when taken as a whole draw quite a bit of current. Do you know how to work out your peak current load?

You will likely have to consult an electrician. The solution will probably be a dedicated circuit for you HT. Clearly you have an overloaded circuit and that is a potential safety issue.

 

[Rickster71]

I agree with TLS guy, and would like to offer up a quick observation, and test.
It's possible the receptacle screws are loose, and connectivity is being intermittently lost, during the heavy bass music.

If you're experienced / comfortable with changing an outlet, or know someone that is.
Shut off that circuit, and check the terminal screws on that receptacle.
Make sure they are tight.
If the receptacle uses 'back stab' connections; change them and use the screws.
The push in connections are notorious for becoming loose.
If that doesn't solve the problem; I would run a dedicated circuit as TLS mentioned.

 

[cutter]

Thanks!

Thanks for all the good advice-- I'll check the outlet, and then look into the separate circuit.

 

[cutter]

Disco is dead

thanks everyone for the help-- I had my Dad install 2 20amp circuits for my HT. (He's a dying breed-- he knows how to do just about everything!) Now, no more disco lights! I'm wondering if I need to get another power conditioner, to split up audio and video and use both circuits as opposed to just using one? Is that necessary if I'm not having obvious problems anymore?

 

[TLS Guy]

thanks everyone for the help-- I had my Dad install 2 20amp circuits for my HT. (He's a dying breed-- he knows how to do just about everything!) Now, no more disco lights! I'm wondering if I need to get another power conditioner, to split up audio and video and use both circuits as opposed to just using one? Is that necessary if I'm not having obvious problems anymore?

If you are not having any problems and the breaker is not tripping, then leave well enough alone.

Why does your father have to be a dying breed? I've watched some colleagues over the years fork out gobs of money to do the simplest tasks and repairs. On the other hand more than few have been skillful at turning their hands to most things. Developing skills, other than at computer games needs encouraging from an early age. This whole issue is part of the problem of us loosing our industrial base, which we WILL have to regain, however painful and difficult that may be.

Dr Edwin James the late Dean of UND med school always kept a CT surgery schedule as well as being dean. When asked about this he would always say, that "we are ALL called to be skillful people." I think he set a wonderful example to the students. Pretty much all med school deans, even then, were drawn form a cadre of professional administrator types who happen to be MDs. I have always thought Ed was right on with that reply, for indeed ALL of us are called to be skillful people.

 

[cutter]

If you are not having any problems and the breaker is not tripping, then leave well enough alone.

Why does your father have to be a dying breed? I've watched some colleagues over the years fork out gobs of money to do the simplest tasks and repairs. On the other hand more than few have been skillful at turning their hands to most things. Developing skills, other than at computer games needs encouraging from an early age. This whole issue is part of the problem of us loosing our industrial base, which we WILL have to regain, however painful and difficult that may be.

Dr Edwin James the late Dean of UND med school always kept a CT surgery schedule as well as being dean. When asked about this he would always say, that "we are ALL called to be skillful people." I think he set a wonderful example to the students. Pretty much all med school deans, even then, were drawn form a cadre of professional administrator types who happen to be MDs. I have always thought Ed was right on with that reply, for indeed ALL of us are called to be skillful people.

Great commentary! My comment about my Dad comes from personal observation and experience. The generation my Dad grew up in (he's 70 years young) seemed to encourage a more comprehensive (industrial if you will) understanding of the way things work, and how to fix 'em. He has taught me a lot over the years, but I wasn't always a willing student. Now that I'm in my 30's it seems rare to find a man my age that can do the things that he can do.

You are absolutely right-- the teaching needs to start at a young age, and quality time out in the shop with Dad should trump playing PS3. But it hasn't. It may be a function of our more highly specialized vocations that require more schooling and time away from home. It may be that we are a lazy generation that assumes that we'll make enough money to be able to pay to have "it" fixed, so why should we spend time learning how to do it?

As a young woman growing up (yes, there are a few women on this forum!), my Dad insisted I learn how to change the oil and spark plugs in my car, how to run a chainsaw, split wood, use power tools correctly, how to troubleshoot plumbing problems, the list goes on and on. I didn't realize at the time that he was teaching me things that most women wouldn't ever know how to do. If I showed interest, he'd teach. So, is my Dad one of a dying breed of the "Jack-of-all-trades, Master of none"? Gosh, I'd like to think not. But my personal experience would dictate otherwise.

Thank you for your insightful and thought provoking comments!

 

[TLS Guy]

As a young woman growing up (yes, there are a few women on this forum!)

.

Thank you for your kind remarks. For old geysers like me, especially those who can't resist a smart remark, it's probably a good think we don't know who the ladies are!

But seriously, I'm proud of my girls. My eldest daughter is an architect, and her designs, never look like anything that would fall down. My youngest daughter is a an expert at home repair and remodeling. So please keep in contact with the forum.

 

[cutter]

As a young woman growing up (yes, there are a few women on this forum!)

.

Thank you for your kind remarks. For old geysers like me, especially those who can't resist a smart remark, it's probably a good think we don't know who the ladies are!

But seriously, I'm proud of my girls. My eldest daughter is an architect, and her designs, never look like anything that would fall down. My youngest daughter is a an expert at home repair and remodeling. So please keep in contact with the forum.

I think the art in architecture is to make something that LOOKS like it's going to fall down, but DOESN'T!! My Dad was a pilot in the navy, and he really wanted me to follow in his footsteps. I told him no, I just didn't want to get screamed at constantly for things that weren't my fault (my youthful perception of what a military career would entail) .... so I did a general surgical residency instead!! Hmmm...frying pan....fire...

I see that you are a CCU doc-- None of your kids wanted to become MD's? Seems like there is a lot of polarity now with kids of doctors-- they either run screaming as fast as they can in the opposite direction of medicine, or they want to do it, too.

I've been poking around this forum for a few years-- I find it very informative, and frequently amusing as well. I've received nothing but good advice when I've asked for help, and have made quite a few purchases from forum members as I slowly build my HT. It's great to be able to tap into members with a wealth of experience and the willingness to teach.

Thanks again!

 

[TLS Guy]

As a young woman growing up (yes, there are a few women on this forum!)

I think the art in architecture is to make something that LOOKS like it's going to fall down, but DOESN'T!! My Dad was a pilot in the navy, and he really wanted me to follow in his footsteps. I told him no, I just didn't want to get screamed at constantly for things that weren't my fault (my youthful perception of what a military career would entail) .... so I did a general surgical residency instead!! Hmmm...frying pan....fire...

I see that you are a CCU doc-- None of your kids wanted to become MD's? Seems like there is a lot of polarity now with kids of doctors-- they either run screaming as fast as they can in the opposite direction of medicine, or they want to do it, too.

I've been poking around this forum for a few years-- I find it very informative, and frequently amusing as well. I've received nothing but good advice when I've asked for help, and have made quite a few purchases from forum members as I slowly build my HT. It's great to be able to tap into members with a wealth of experience and the willingness to teach.

Thanks again!

Cutter. A great handle for a general surgeon! I'm retired now, I made the decision in March. Unfortunately I have become a general surgeons nightmare over the last 14 years, culminating in two extensive procedures at Mayo last year.

None of my children have chosen a medical career. My wife is a cardiology NP. My eldest son is a programmer who specializes in large scale instant voting. My youngest son is an electrical engineer who specializes in electromagnetic simulation and memory. He is currently part of a high powered Seagate task force.

I have worked for thirty years in a mid western community serving around 180,000 people from a large geographic area. We have been understaffed the whole time, for many years there was just the three of us. I do think the long hours and frequent long weekends on call were a detriment to family life. I do think that was a factor in steering my children away from a career in medicine.

I have a great deal of respect for general surgeons, and worked extremely closely with them over the years. I started the nutritional support team and was its director over thirty years. I had a long involvement and interest on small bowel rehab after extensive resection. I have to say I have had an interesting and rewarding time. However, I have often wondered if it should be physicians who take a vow of celibacy rather than Catholic priests!

 

[cutter]

I'm sorry to hear you've had health problems. Being healthy is a gift that many of us take for granted. We complain about being 20 pounds overweight, or don't like our hair, etc.etc. It takes one short walk through the ICU to remind me of how blessed I am to be able to walk, have all my senses, and be pain free. I hope that you are recouping and getting back to a more normal lifestyle-- 30 years as an ICU doc is plenty! I really enjoy critical care, and almost did a trauma/critical care fellowship. I ended up deciding to enter into private general surgery practice, although I did bariatrics for two years before moving to a new job. I've decided I have the best and worst job in the world, depending on the day.

Enjoy your retirement! You've earned it---