General Category > General Discussion
Power Strips?
Ozzy_98:
I'm not talking about what girls do to make ends meet in collage, I mean what do you use to power your systems? Since I want to have 15+ systems ready to go, I'll need a lot of power, and since the wal-warts like to draw power even when off, switched outlets would be nice. The problem is real ones (For rack mounts) can be very expensive. What do most people use? There's low end Rosewills http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119283 or I could go the other way and use something like http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=AP7830&tab=models that would support overload detection, and will give me a few other tricks. As a matter of fact since my AV switch supports PC controls, I could select a system via an application and have it turn on the system, and change the selector.
The problem with the big switch (besides price) is the plug. It's a NEMA L5-20P plug, a twist-lock. Even with an adapter, I do not have a 20 amp plug, and I've never seen an adapter that changed from the twist-locks down to straight pings AND lower amps. So that would be two cables, and a nice-looking fire hazard
KalessinDB:
As you noted, anything plugged in draws power, even if it's off. So I don't keep my stuff all plugged in. Conveniently, that means I only need 1 power strip. The way I see it, if I'm going to be going over to the power strip to switch it on (do they draw even when switched off? I've never looked into that), what's the difference for just plugging it in instead? Works about the same either way.
Good luck getting it all figured out though.
Lashek:
Personally, I use a smart strip.
Keep the TV in the primary outlet, and the other outlets only have power when I turn the TV on. When I turn it off, the other outlets go off.
Similar to this:
http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Strip-Protector-Autoswitching-Technology/dp/B0006PUDQK
[edit]
Alternatively, since you're dealing with a twist-lock, you could convert to standard 15A plug from 20A twist-lock, but you'd probably have to build the converter cable yourself. A little bit of #12 AWM SOOW cord and a female twist-lock with male 15A end. It's only a black/white/green (or bare copper) wire.
While against the electrical code, it would hold up just fine. There isn't much difference in the male plug at all from 15A to 20A outside of the orientation of the blades. This statement doesn't hold true for 15A and 20A wiring in general though. :P
Or this:
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/conntek-30221-bk-15-amp-generator-locking-plug-adapter-with-5-15p-male/255605719.html
Disclaimer: I was a licensed electrician up until 7 years ago when I left the field to become a computer programmer/developer full-time. I have 10 years of field experience, if that counts for anything.
Ozzy_98:
--- Quote from: KalessinDB on May 29, 2014, 08:35:42 PM ---As you noted, anything plugged in draws power, even if it's off. So I don't keep my stuff all plugged in. Conveniently, that means I only need 1 power strip. The way I see it, if I'm going to be going over to the power strip to switch it on (do they draw even when switched off? I've never looked into that), what's the difference for just plugging it in instead? Works about the same either way.
--- End quote ---
You can tell if they draw any real current by seeing if they're warm to the touch, and 90% of the walwarts are.
--- Quote ---Personally, I use a smart strip.
Keep the TV in the primary outlet, and the other outlets only have power when I turn the TV on. When I turn it off, the other outlets go off.
Similar to this:
http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Strip-Protector-Autoswitching-Technology/dp/B0006PUDQK
--- End quote ---
Like this one :P I use one inside my arcade machine, here's the page with the pics: http://rhwiii.info/blog/archives/616
And I never saw an adapter that went from L5-20R to 5-15P, they always went L5-20R to 5-15R or L5-20R to 5-20P (Sure hope I said that right, getting past my bed time). My knowledge is based on walking techs through setting up devices in server rooms and the like. I'm trying not to break electrical codes too much here at this house, the last house on this property burnt down. Hate to have a repeat. (Hence the fancy power strip, so I feel better at night while I really know it's not really doing anything special).
Nacho3:
I have 2 of these and absolutely love them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Technical-Pro-PS9U-Rack-Mount-Power-Supply-with-5V-USB-Charging-Port-/390851819074?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b00957642 I just labeled which system is plugged in right above the switch and turn it on when I want to play it. It also has a usb port that I use to charge my phone with.