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Whenever there is a thunder/lightning storm we shut down our machines and computers. I was just wondering what everybody else does? At the moment we only have the surge protectors (we are purchasing a line conditioner today). Usually during a storm we may have to shut down for only an hour or less. Just curios to know what all of you do?
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Everett & Michelle -
I have everything plugged into the line conditioner. Because I hate to replace ANYTHING, I shut everything down and unplug the line conditioner from the wall. Overcautious, probably, but like I said, I hate to replace anything! -
APC is the largest company that makes back-up power supplies. Keep in mind the times listed in the description are for running a computer and not a commercial embroidery machine. I would suggest getting one that has at least 30 minutes battery time so you should be able to finish a small design should the power fail. Amazon.com/NewEgg.com/Buy.com are good places to buy it if you don't need it right away. There is a handful of them for under $100.
My power supply has a one hour back-up mainly because here in Florida the power flashes/surges a lot and you can go without power for a long period of time. Not to mention the daily summer thunderstorms.Comment
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We have the computer and Amaya plugged into an APC power back up system (UPS). Was really surprised one day when the power went out and the APC had no problem running the Amaya until it finished the design! We have a lot of power fluctuations and brief outages-being on the 'main road' here and a transformer station down the street-any time someone runs into a power pole or there is a fire or something nearby the power can go off without notice. Never had a single problem with anything since we went to the APC units. You can buy them from Staples and many computer suppliers now cheaper than buying direct-but our experience has been the batteries only last 3 years. We are in the middle of replacing all of ours now as they start to beep to tell us they are going dead...and with 7 of them from 420 to 1500 watts it is getting expensive. Smaller units it was cheaper last time to just buy new bigger units. This time it's cheaper to get batteries.Comment
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Just checked-the Amaya, computer and monitor are plugged into a 1500w APC unit and it costs a LOT More than $100. Anything under $100 is not going to be strong enough to power your equipment for more than the length of time it takes to run in and shut it down...don't go for cheap price!
And those 'power strip surge protectors'....don't believe them. You are not getting any 'protection' except 'maybe' from a large power surge but not from power 'blips'. What you are really paying for is the 'warranty'...yeah, if you have a computer get fried and you saved ALL the paperwork you can get paid for it. That's what you are getting with those units. Most people throw the packaging and reciepts away so no one ever claims anything and the manufacturer puts one over on you!
Check your local Staples, probably OFfice depot has them...and get bigger than you think you will need. That way you have the protection and backup power.
RolandComment
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Roland, you shouldn't be running both the computer and embroidery machine on the same power supply. They should be 2 different ones. Having a computer, monitor, speakers, embroidery machine, printer, and other accesories is way to much for one power supply. I run only the embroidery on one power supply and the computer/monitor on another one.Comment
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I have only that computer, monitor, and the amaya on one. NO printer, no speakers, no accessories.
MORE than adequate power at 1500w to handle all of it. I have a 1000w unit that handles 2 macs, 2 monitors, extra harddrive, zip drive, Sandisk reader, speakers, hub, and something else...and it has never 'peaked' on the indicators. Another smaller one handles the fax machine, answering machine, ethernet hub, phone system...these APC machines are great. I've got them all over the place. Never had an 'overload' indicator on any of them yet-only the one time I tried to power the printer on one...there isn't a power unit made by APC that will handle it-we called them to ask. Laser printers demand too much wattage to power the unit so it overloads them. That is plugged into a power strip with surge protector-all we can do!Comment
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Dude- you definitely need speakers.GregoryComment
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for what? The computer running the Amaya has built in speaker and all we need to hear is the 'pings' of things going on...don't listen to music on it or anything else!
There isn't a decent computer made that will equal a good 100W stereo system with quad speakers anyways...LOL like I have out in the shop. When I want to hear my Blue Man Group I can crank it out there...
my main Mac has a set of Altec Lansing on it, just for playing stuff that comes in emails or internet 'radio' just for some background soothing noise when I get cranky in the office...LOL
RolandComment
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I got two tripp lite 1800 line conditioners.
One for my 3 4 heads and 2 single head machines and one for the three computers, printer and etc.
Never had a problem that I know of. But with some electrical services you can never have enough to protect your equipment. Where I live we have electrical spikes and other problems all the time.
When a cloud comes over we lose power. Well, sometimes.Comment
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