Behringer amp with switched outlet?

[fokakis1]

I have integrated a Behringer EPQ2000 into my HT as a subwoofer amp pushing 2 SVS 12" passive subs I built. The amp is running off of a HK AVR via the sub preout and sounds fantastic.

The issue I am faced with is that I have to manually power on the Behringer amp. The switched A/C outlet on the HK is only good for 50W, so I can't plug the amp in to it. I have a Monster 1650 power center, but there are no "master controlled" switched outlets built in. I thought about buying a "green" surge protector with master controlled outlets, but I have a few concerns.

First, when I press the power button on the Behringer it takes it a few seconds to power on. If I were to plug it into a switched outlet, leave the power button pressed in, and use the switched outlet to toggle the power to the amp, will it damage the amp? In other words, does the power button serve as a boot up/soft turn on/off, or is it just a toggle?

Second, will the green surge protector limit power/current to the amp? I noticed that most green, switched outlets are rated @ 15A, and the Behringer has a 20A fuse.

Note: I would RATHER NOT have to BUILD a switched outlet unless absolutely necessary. Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[highfigh]

I have integrated a Behringer EPQ2000 into my HT as a subwoofer amp pushing 2 SVS 12" passive subs I built. The amp is running off of a HK AVR via the sub preout and sounds fantastic.

The issue I am faced with is that I have to manually power on the Behringer amp. The switched A/C outlet on the HK is only good for 50W, so I can't plug the amp in to it. I have a Monster 1650 power center, but there are no "master controlled" switched outlets built in. I thought about buying a "green" surge protector with master controlled outlets, but I have a few concerns.

First, when I press the power button on the Behringer it takes it a few seconds to power on. If I were to plug it into a switched outlet, leave the power button pressed in, and use the switched outlet to toggle the power to the amp, will it damage the amp? In other words, does the power button serve as a boot up/soft turn on/off, or is it just a toggle?

Second, will the green surge protector limit power/current to the amp? I noticed that most green, switched outlets are rated @ 15A, and the Behringer has a 20A fuse.

Note: I would RATHER NOT have to BUILD a switched outlet unless absolutely necessary. Any advice is much appreciated.

Most power strips state that power amps should NOT be connected through them because of the current needed. This can cause issues with ground contamination, but each case is different because of the condition of the building's wiring.

On a power amp, there's really no "soft-start", per se- if it has a protection circuit that needs to close the contacts between the amp and speaker and speakers, it's usually a relay at the end and it's not going to be critical if you use the power switch or a switched outlet. Besides- if your power strip had a triggered outlet, it would be doing exactly the same thing as a switched outlet.

If your receiver has a 12VDC trigger or a switched outlet, you can make a switched outlet box pretty easily. Get a relay that triggers with 12V or 24V (it really won't matter but a 24V wall wart is usually going to be pretty large), a project box from Radio Shack and a 12VDC wall wart that's good for about 1A. It should be less than $20.

A "green" surge protector? Define this, please. FYI- Energy Star devices "consume" <1W when off. Otherwise, they don't need to be any more efficient than many other devices. How will yours be "green"?

 

[avnetguy]

A "green" surge protector? Define this, please. FYI- Energy Star devices "consume" <1W when off. Otherwise, they don't need to be any more efficient than many other devices. How will yours be "green"?

I've seen these in the store recently, one outlet is current sensing and turns on/off the rest of the outlets. They label them as "green" as only one device uses standby power.

As to the OP questions,

1> Unplug the amp leaving the power switch on. Then plug it back in and see if it starts up normally just as if you pushed the power button.

2> For the 15A rating, what is your place currently wired for 15A or 20A?

The EPQ2000 power consumption (maximum i gather) is 2200W so a true 20A circuit would be needed when maximum power is used. In the real world, the unit will likely draw far less than 15A under normal conditions.

Steve

 

[fokakis1]

I've seen these in the store recently, one outlet is current sensing and turns on/off the rest of the outlets. They label them as "green" as only one device uses standby power.

As to the OP questions,

1> Unplug the amp leaving the power switch on. Then plug it back in and see if it starts up normally just as if you pushed the power button.

2> For the 15A rating, what is your place currently wired for 15A or 20A?

Steve

My house is wired for 20A. I tried your suggestion by leaving the EPQ's power switch on, then plugging and unplugging it from the wall outlet. It powered up and down in exactly the same manner as it does when pressing the button. It even stays lit up for about four seconds after I have unplugged it from the wall!

A also plugged it into my Monster 1650 (15A) and used the power button on the Monster to toggle the power (same result). So it SEEMS to me that this is safe for the amp.

Maybe a "smart/green" power strip rated for 20A would serve my purpose (aside from building a switched outlet)?