UPS and Power Conditioning

[awesomebase]

I've never quite gotten a "good" response from either Monster or Belkin on this topic. Here is what I'm asking about. It seems that one can purchase a power conditioning unit or AVR (I know they do different things, but just hear me out on this) to use with one's HTS. However, you can not simultaneously use a UPS (something that would go a long way in protecting projector bulbs in TVs and projectors). I can't get a straight answer from either company on this. As far as I know, neither offers both in combination.
So, it seems that one has to choose. My thoughts are that it would be advisable to use a UPS with the projector since I'm more concerned about ensuring that the bulb has time to cool in an outage. I can use a PC or AVR for the rest of the equipment. What I would like is to be able to plug the UPS into either the PC or AVR. Apparently I can not do that, nor can I switch that operation around. So, I wanted to know what people though of this and what your choices may be. Any suggestions?

 

[jaxvon]

You can plug a power conditioner into a UPS if you want. If you have some extra cash, APC makes an all-in-one unit specifically designed for HT and 100% snake-oil free:

http://apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=310

 

[DaveOCP]

The best combo voltage regulator\line conditioner I've tried is my Richard Gray. I often have under-voltage problems, and series based conditioners with lots of electrical resistance such as the Monsters make that problem worse (not to mention the fact that they are worthless for power amps). I've also tried a Hydra, which is able to hold an electrical charge for use during an under-voltage situation by using capacitors instead of a parallel inductor, but in my opinion, the RGPC has a slight edge in audio performance, and a massive edge in video performance over the Shunyatas, at least with my equipment. The standard Richard Gray models such as my 600S are not a UPS in the traditional sense, but they work wonderfully with HT equipment absorbing up to 280V, with absolutely no current limits, other than the 20 amp fuse, which cant be said of any UPS.

They've also got a new 2000VA UPS combined with a 600S parallel inductor called the "powerbridge" which may be worth checking out.

http://www.richardgrayspowercompany.com/products/powerbridge/powerbridge.htm

 

[edwelly]

Why can't you just do this???

 

[awesomebase]

Not sure

Why can't you just do this???

You would think that this would be the logical route to go, but for some reason doing this voids the warranty (according to Monster and Belkin).
I like the recommendations for the APC unit and the Richard Gray units, those look like they would work great. I just need to find a place that actually SELLS them. I'll google it and see what I find!

 

[Nick250]

Why can't you just do this???

Looks good to me, though I am not totally sold on power conditioners.

 

[DaveOCP]

Richard Gray sells only through dealers, they have dealer locator on their website. http://www.richardgrayspowercompany.com/dealers/index.html

Of course, you can always get one second hand from Audiogon, thats where I bought mine. RG's are built like Tiger tanks, so there's no worries about problems with a used model.

You can buy a Shunyata Hydra from amusicdirect.com I think they have Chang Lightspeeds there as well, which I *think* are capacitor based like the Hydras, but Chang doesnt actually tell you whats in them, just whats not in them.

 

[edwelly]

for some reason doing this voids the warranty (according to Monster and Belkin)

How would they know??? I wouldn't tell them and besides, have anybody ever gotten the $$$$ they claim they will give you if your system blows up? I would to hear of someone collecting...

 

[jcPanny]

New tripplite product

Saw this new triplite power center at Costco for $100. I am thinking about picking one up for my HT. It has surge protection, line regulation, battery backup and an LCD dispaly. It might not be as robust as a $1K power center, but it has all the basics.

http://www.tripplite.com/products/product.cfm?productID=3071&ciLinkID=HOM_0905_A_FLASHBOX_SMART1000LCD

 

[awesomebase]

Touche!

How would they know??? I wouldn't tell them and besides, have anybody ever gotten the $$$$ they claim they will give you if your system blows up? I would to hear of someone collecting...

You are certainly correct on both points! For me personally, it would be a matter of integrity. I'm just not good at lying/deceiving. More than likely too, there wouldn't be any problem. But it is nice to see others posting viable (though expensive) alternatives.

 

[DaveOCP]

How would they know??? I wouldn't tell them and besides, have anybody ever gotten the $$$$ they claim they will give you if your system blows up? I would to hear of someone collecting...

According to Richard Gray, none of their models in the field (several thousand) has ever been sent back because it failed or was killed by a surge. To me, that says a lot more than some $5,000,000 gaurantee with several pages of fine print.

The problem I see with plugging a conditioner into the wall and a UPS into the conditioner is that most conditioners cant deliver 15A, and the UPS is designed to run with the full available power from the wall. If you go the other way around, you get the same problem. I would suggest plugging both straight into the wall. Use the UPS for the display, and the LC for everything else.

 

[MDS]

A UPS needs to be plugged directly into the wall. It's ok to plug a surge suppressor into the UPS, but not the other way around.

I think the APC site had an FAQ on why. Has to do with the surge suppressor partially acting on any surge and reducing the UPS's ability to see the spike and clamp it in time.

 

[awesomebase]

Touche!

How would they know??? I wouldn't tell them and besides, have anybody ever gotten the $$$$ they claim they will give you if your system blows up? I would to hear of someone collecting...

You are certainly correct on both points! For me personally, it would be a matter of integrity. I'm just not good at lying/deceiving. More than likely too, there wouldn't be any problem. But it is nice to see others posting viable (though expensive) alternatives.