• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Update On the Trace Eliott ELF That I Blew Up.

#301
J Wilson said:
Maybe this has been covered in this 'War and Peace'-length post, but Horse, don't some amps feature an automatic sensing/automatic adjustment for line voltage? Is this uncommon, and from a design/marketing standpoint, does it reach deeply into a given design and how much $$ does it add vs. the more common voltage select switch design?
Click to expand...
Yes this is possible (and is done this way in the Subways, along with over voltage protection) but at the higher power levels this does add some cost that the customer ends up paying for. My feeling is that the added cost is worth it in the big picture. What do you guys think?
 
  • Like
Reactions: /\/\3phist0 and Al Kraft
#303
J Wilson said:
Maybe this has been covered in this 'War and Peace'-length post, but Horse, don't some amps feature an automatic sensing/automatic adjustment for line voltage? Is this uncommon, and from a design/marketing standpoint, does it reach deeply into a given design and how much $$ does it add vs. the more common voltage select switch design?
Click to expand...

SMPS can be rated for just one mains voltage, be switchable (as in a physical switch on the back), cover two ranges (like 100-120VAC plus 220-230 VAC) without changing anything or cover a wide range like 100-230 VAC. I defer size, price and other design considerations to Andy.
 
#304
agedhorse said:
Yes this is possible (and is done this way in the Subways, along with over voltage protection) but at the higher power levels this does add some cost that the customer ends up paying for. My feeling is that the added cost is worth it in the big picture. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
I think it's well worth it to have the automatic voltage sensing and the added safety/self protection features in an amp. There are more than a few threads where people are are seeking advice on what to do after plugging into the wrong power or gooned-up power and frying something.

I look at it this way, as long as the cost isn't driving the price of the gear out of the competitive range (and it's not as far as I can tell), I'm basically getting free lifetime "Murphy-proof" insurance thrown in for free.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BadExample
#305
Al Kraft said:
I think it's well worth it to have the automatic voltage sensing and the added safety/self protection features in an amp. There are more than a few threads where people are are seeking advice on what to do after plugging into the wrong power or gooned-up power and frying something.

I look at it this way, as long as the cost isn't driving the price of the gear out of the competitive range (and it's not as far as I can tell), I'm basically getting free lifetime "Murphy-proof" insurance thrown in for free.
Click to expand...
Amen. Asian power can be horrific. Actually US power ain't so good for accurate voltage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al Kraft
#307
five7 said:
All of this reminds me of a theater I use to run sound at. They had what was called a "wild leg". It was 150 volts or so. Originally ran for an elevator. I always carried a volt ohm meter with me and always checked the voltage before I connected my distro. Thank God I did at this place or I could have ruined thousands of dollars of equipment.
Click to expand...

You are talking about what was then (way back when) referred to as 230 three phase with one leg being 180 volts and the other two legs being 120 volts. This used to be the standard 3 phase power everywhere. It has been replaced by 480 but you can still get it if you request it. Its know as 240 three phase these days and the high leg is usually 190 volts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: five7
#309
Red Planet said:
You are talking about what was then (way back when) referred to as 230 three phase with one leg being 180 volts and the other two legs being 120 volts. This used to be the standard 3 phase power everywhere. It has been replaced by 480 but you can still get it if you request it. Its know as 240 three phase these days and the high leg is usually 190 volts.
Click to expand...
Also called a high leg delta service, the head's up alert is if you see an orange wire(s) in the panel. Whenever working with power, metering is an absolute must in order to be sure that whet you think you see is actually what you get.

I spent a lot of years designing power distribution systems for industrial/commercial buildings (mostly on the industrial controls side), we never took anything at face value until verified.
 
#310
There are industrial products that are built to use a wide range of line voltages with no need to set switches or move jumpers. The input labels read something like 90-240 VAC / 30VA. I've no doubt that it could be done for products like amps but I also know that the market for it would be miniscule due to the high cost of doing so in high power gear. Touring bands, especially those who play here and overseas, have racks of power conditioners that transform and regulate voltages as well as clean up raunchy power feeds. Having those conditioners means they wouldn't see any benefit from wide range line voltage inputs; you'd think they'd be most of the probable market but no, they wouldn't. It'll surely happen one day but it won't happen soon. Meanwhile, we need to be attentive.
 
#316
BadExample said:
Oh, I think they are amazing, the Elf's. Cheap, light, small, powerful, and they are getting used at gigs.

When GM got bailed out, they dumped the line of cars that was my favorite, not so well executed, but not bad. It was the closest to my dream car, although I would never buy one of the GM's or my dream car. I wanted to see an all plastic bodied car with a good tube frame under that, and an engine the rolled out the front on rails, few connectors and all engine mounted accessories included. Then a nominal fee for a 1/2 hr. engine swap in stead of a tune up, and $100 user replaceable fenders and such. My new dream car is an electric, with modular, any brand compatible, roll out batteries that are swapped for charged batteries at gas/battery stations. I wouldn't but one of those either. I don't run into things, blow up engines, or drive a flashlight :D

I'll let my good friend and fellow Skyhawk fan, @Al Kraft explain where all the roll-out dukey comes from :D I think either of us would prefer a radial engine in our cars and trucks... or an I6 maybe.
Click to expand...
ForthrightGentleFruitbat-size_restricted.gif
 
#320
The amp is toast. Toast it shall remain. If your budget is really tight, save up again and this time consider the fact that you can get a used (and rebuildable) a/b head with more output power and tone shaping options for half the price of another new or used elf. So what if a 2-space skb rack won’t fit into the back pocket of your lady’s levi’s? Then again maybe it will, but I try not to judge. Just kidding.
If your heart is set on an elf, you just have to save up a little bit longer. Very sorry to read of your loss.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back