Surge Protector recommendations? Furman? Also, when are power conditioners needed?

[J Wilson]

I bought (stole) one of those Furman surge protectors off a clearance table at GC, just to have a heavy extension with a built in 8-receptacle box with an on/off switch. It's useless against lightning or any huge AC surges from the wall outlet, but it's a great extension cord with plugs.

 

[recmont]

I have a Radial Power-1 in one rack case and in the other I have a Fuan power conditioner ( I don’t remember the model). One is a fancy power strip / surge protector and the other is a power conditioner. I’ve found them to be pretty handy. I’ve also got a nice Isobar surge protector for gigs where I’m traveling light.

I got these because I had an amp damaged at a club once due to a lightning strike. Also, most places we play were wired by the lowest bidder.

However, the most important thing in my box of goodies is my Klein outlet tester. When playing at a new club it’s always the first thing I check.

Not trying to be a smart-a* here and I'm really just asking an honest (if naïve) question:

What if the test at the venue fails? Would you refuse to play the gig? Has this ever happened to anyone here?

 

[funkyjudge]

I also have three Furman surge protectors/power conditioners: One in my rack system, two power strip style units. Small investment to protect very costly gear!

 

[Hasty]

Not trying to be a smart-a* here and I'm really just asking an honest (if naïve) question:

What if the test at the venue fails? Would you refuse to play the gig? Has this ever happened to anyone here?

Definitely a valid question. Here's the answer.

I have had the tester show a faulty plug before. Once was for an open ground (a restaurant that was later renovated) and the other was for Hot/Neutral reversed (an old church). Both times I was able to find another outlet that was good and I plugged into that one. Had that not been an option, I wouldn't have plugged my amp in and likely spoken to someone at the venue about safe options. It's never reached the point where I said I'm not gonna play.

Oddly enough, most of the places I see sketchy wiring is at small to medum sized older churches. I'm guessing they're wired by well intentioned volunteers or the absolute lowest bidder.

 

[Rev_Slinky]

Not trying to be a smart-a* here and I'm really just asking an honest (if naïve) question:

What if the test at the venue fails? Would you refuse to play the gig? Has this ever happened to anyone here?

I've only come across this once. We ended up running from a properly grounded outlet that was further away, and had to cut across the bar a bit. Once we taped it down, it was fine. It was just enough of a hassle that they agreed to fix the outlet in the band area before we played there again.

 

[KenPompanoBeach]

Thinking about buying the following surge protector:

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Any opinions on this or ones you'd recommend? I've heard differing opinions on surge protectors. I've seen people say they are snake oil and that if your house is properly wired/up to code you should never need a surge protector. Others say you are an idiot if you operate expensive electronics without one. I'm in the camp of better safe than sorry.

Also, I see mention of power conditioners? What exactly are these and when do you need one? I'm just playing in my basement through a 800w amp/cab.

I had a weekly gig this summer at an outdoor venue. The wiring was sketchy at best and the first week I used a cheapo surge protector. I was getting some grounding issue-type hum through my amp. Someone on tb suggested the Furman SS 6d1. It has surge protection and RF/EMI blocking. I got it through Amazon before the second week and the hum was gone. I can also attest that the Furman is built like a tank and the 15 foot cord is great. It goes with me to every gig now.

I don't know if it's snake oil or not. Paying $50 to not listen to hum every week was worth it to me.

 

[Btbp]

I have a Radial Power-1 in one rack case and in the other I have a Fuan power conditioner ( I don’t remember the model). One is a fancy power strip / surge protector and the other is a power conditioner. I’ve found them to be pretty handy. I’ve also got a nice Isobar surge protector for gigs where I’m traveling light.

I got these because I had an amp damaged at a club once due to a lightning strike. Also, most places we play were wired by the lowest bidder.

However, the most important thing in my box of goodies is my Klein outlet tester. When playing at a new club it’s always the first thing I check.
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I have this Furman though I am dubious as to how well it would actually protect, seeing what @AK Bass Guy posted looked like a better unit, and that Klein device @Hasty posted looks like another great item to bring.

My Furman is a bit of a PITA to carry but I think it's better protection than the 4-outlet version of this block that I have that is easier to carry:

 

[funkyjudge]

The Furman SS6B-PRO is the model that I use. I carry two in my backpack. I also have a Klein outlet tester in my bag. Can never be too cautious when it comes to protecting your expensive electronic gear from power surges and sketchy wiring in the venues that you play. I test the outlets everywhere that my bands play when we are setting up and all of our amps, PA systems and monitors are plugged into surge-protected power strips at every gig and rehearsal.

 

[9985]

If you are gigging and want next level surge protection, get a rack mount used SurgeX. They have non-sacrificial components and are extremely rugged, commonly used in data centers & other mission critical enterprise IT environments, get firesaled off when offices close. They are big & heavy. Show up regularly on fleabay for under $100 used. I have had 5 of them for years for both amplifiers & home theater equipment, rock solid. They don't do any power conditioning, think of it as the best powerstrip you can get if you can deal with the form factor. There are a bunch of models, look for one with physical master switch on the front, keep an eye for mangled rack ears, cut/taped power cords as they sometimes get unceremoniously ripped out of their former homes.

Edit - you don't have to rack mount them, they don't get particularly hot, can stack anywhere that you would put other electronics. AWAY from spilled drinks....