Electricity 101

Daniel · « **on:** 18 Nov 2003, 12:44 am »

There are some disadvantages to living in an apartment in NYC built in 1910.

The connection between my gear and Con Ed is tenuous at best and involves 3 extension cords all plugged into the single grounded outlet in my listening room. That can't be good, so I am taking steps based on the wisdom and nonsense (its hard to tell the difference sometimes) that I've absorbed here at AC.

I bought a 3 amp OneAC power conditioner for $30 on Ebay last night and will run the CD player off of it. When another comes along I'll pick it up for the pre-amp. The amp will run from the wall but needs a surge protector.

I figure I might improve on a bad situation by getting a single 25' extension cord. Here are some questions:

Am I right to focus on minimizing the number of cords? That would mean having the extension cord incorporate the surge protector.
Is it easy--I mean REALLY easy--to modify the extension cord so it ends in the surge protector?
What should I buy as a surge protector?
There are non-grounded outlets in the room. What does it take to convert them into proper 3-prong grounded outlets? If I solve that problem I could run the amp (Spectral DMA 180) from its own dedicated line.

Please offer your thoughts. Don't hesitate to explain the obvious. Thanks!

theint · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Nov 2003, 01:12 am »

It seems a real perdiciment (did I spell that right?) I would use the grounded outlet to power the whole system. Your CD player and Preamp will use a fraction of the power your power amp will use when playing at a medium volume. Your should have all your equipment sharing a comon ground to avoid ground loops (which can cause ground noise) Use the best darn extention cord money can buy.

Another trick one of my buddies did worked well. He took 2 x 40KVA door bell transformers or equivilant and wired them whereby the secondaries are wired together. This means 120v into 24v to the secondary which feeds the 24v on the second transformer back to 120v out. He then put a small cap, lets say .1uf across the 24v side to smooth power spikes. This will isolate the ground. Now ground does not mater and you can plug you CD player or Preamp anywhere in the room and not have ground noise. In this sinario make sure the transformers are at least twice the VA's of the equipment you are powering.

Daniel · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Nov 2003, 11:37 pm »

Thanks for the comments! I'm intrigued by the ground isolation scheme. It would be fun to fiddle with some big-ass transformers but I'm afraid its too hairy for me. Any extension cord or surge protector models to suggest?

bubba966 · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Nov 2003, 11:53 pm »

Why not make your own cord for the OneAC? You could take 12awg or 10awg heavy duty extension cord and cut the female end off and directly wire it into the OneAC (assuming you can disconnect the cord from the OneAC w/out too much hassle).

I've not had the chance to pick up a OneAC unit yet so I've got no real idea what they look like inside. Infact I was almost going to buy that very OneAC you got for $30. Guess I was too late...

Or if you don't like the extension cord idea, you could just get raw wire & a good plug and do the same thing that I mentioned above w/the extension cord.

markC · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Nov 2003, 11:59 pm »

The tranny's that theint speaks about are not "big ass" they're more like "no back". Anyway, for an extension cord, (if you must), I'd go with a DIY version. Try home depot or wherever and get some 12awg Carol sow type wire, an at least industrial grade male plug, 2 recepticles,(again at least industrial, if not hospital grade), recepticles, a 4"x4" box to house the recepticles, and a cover plate. You don't even need to solder these, and I'm sure it will be better than stringing together smaller awg cords. It will also give you a common ground for all of your components as opposed to plugging them into different recepticles,(if the recepticles are on different circuits).

theint · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Nov 2003, 03:04 am »

The transformers I'm talking about can be purchased at Home Depot. They are 24 volt transformers used in furnaces, door bells etc.

Daniel · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Nov 2003, 06:30 am »

Door bell transformer??? Oh. Right. I read it as BARbell transformer. I pictured something truly heroic. I guess my ignorance is showing.

I learned a little about grounding today on the web. Forget about converting an ungrounded outlet to a grounded one. That requires an electrician to pull wires. theint's idea about those tiny butt transformers sounds like a great, inexpensive way to solve a ground problem but from what I've read I shouldn't have one if I'm stuck running everything out of the same grounded outlet (and my equipment is behaving).

I'm stoked about the idea of constructing my own extension cord. Thanks Mark. I sent an inquiry into Mapleshade. They make a 6-outlet strip. If they can just extend the plug 25' I might be getting somewhere. Bubba's comments got me thinking that way. I suppose I could just run everything off a (refrigerator-sized) OneAC with a long cord but that is said to be a no-no for amplifiers.

Your input is much appreciated!

I still don't know what to do about surge protection, though....

bubba966 · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Nov 2003, 06:53 am »

If you're looking for 6 or 8 outlets, Bolder Cables makes 4, 6, & 8 outlet power strips. As Wayne builds everything to order, he'd probably make one with a 25' cord if you wanted. Try emailing him with what you're looking for & I bet he'd be able to make it.

JoshK · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Nov 2003, 02:33 pm »

Daniel,

As you know now I am really starting to get into the DIY thing. I will help you build up what you need. I agree that adding a really long cord to the OneACs might be a good way to go about it. I am going to mod the power cords on my OneACs real soon too. I also know a really good recipe for building your own power cord that I would be happy to build for you. This of course is just for my NYC audiophile buddies.

Daniel · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 03:58 am »

Josh, man, that is really kind of you. You just made my day. I love the idea of coming over to your aerie on Roosevelt Island with the beer and gear we will need.

Here's the thing. I just got an e-mail from the one and only Pierre Sprey at Mapleshade. He says he has a couple of ideas and invited me to give him a call. WOW! Its like getting Mick Jagger to tune your guitar. I can't resist. I'll post his recommendations and then we can work from there.

If in the end we don't build a power cable together perhaps I can entice you into doing some OneAC mods. We could do mine and yours together....

JoshK · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 03:28 pm »

sounds like a plan....

btw, I like the use of 'aerie'!

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 09:59 pm »

Could someone explain to me what the $30 OneAC power conditioner does again? I recall seeing it at Josh's apartment, but can't remember the technical information.

Is a OneAC only for source components or may it be used for amps, etc?

JoshK · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 10:23 pm »

the OneACs are balanced power transformers with a few caps for filtering. the technical explanation for how BPT work is explained in detail on this site so I will leave that for searching. basically then are an industrial design for sensitive equipment that happen to work well in audio applications. They are much cheaper than audio equivalents so they provide big bang for the buck. I would only use them on sources and preamps. They could potentially strain the current flow for amps.

Daniel · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 04:14 am »

I spoke with Pierre Sprey. He wasn't keen on the 25' extension cord concept. He suggested instead that I get an electrician to create a ground using the radiator near my ungrounded outlet, which happens to be within striking distance of my gear. (Of course the quality of the ground will have to be checked first--there's a lot of corrosion between my radiator and the pipes underground.) He recommends I use a wire he will send to connect the radiator to the outlet. Then he suggests running everything off his power strip. I think that might be another way of saying that he can't build a 25' power strip for me.

I asked him about surge protection. He said he has worked on the problem and has found no way to include it without significantly degrading the sound.

He said my amp is too efficient to cause a problem with sucking away too much juice when recharging after peaks. He commented that he thinks the Spectral DMA 180 is the best SS amp he has heard (and I INSIST on believing him). He bought one to experiment with and reports (of course) that it improved mightily with his powercord. He also recommends placing the amp on his maple platform using those little brass feet he sells. He says the transformers in the amp are so large that it makes an easily noticed difference.

Am I a sucker or what? I was tempted for a while to just buy all of it: power strip, power cord for the amp, maple platform and little brass thingies. Somebody talk some sense into me. Josh? What do you think? Think you and I can build an extension cord close in quality but much cheaper than what I might commission from Bolder?

_scotty_ · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 05:37 am »

I think you can make a good sounding extensioncord,but you better use 10ga thhn stranded for the wire. If the wire gauge in the cord isn't at least
as big as what is in the wall you are going to hear it. A gas discharge tube type surge arrestor for about $3.00 is very transparent and better than a MOV/ZNR. I modified a basic LEVITON power strip by adding my own custom powercord and a gas discharge tube for a total investment of about $25.00 and a trip to HOME DEPOT. The gas discharge tube type surge protector can be obtained from http://www.mouser.com/

JoshK · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 04:32 pm »

Daniel,

I never had as bad of power problems as when I used an outlet that was near a radiator in my older coop pad. Not to say it wouldn't work for you but I wouldn't think it would be a great ground.

I'd personally go with a really well built power strip of 25' for all the rest of the gear and one 25' power cord for the amp. Something like this for the power strip:

and similar for the cord for the amp.

PM me or give me a ring on the telly and we'll work something out if interested.

I am sure that either products from Bolder (which you know I love) and/or Mapleshade would be great for your purposes. Wayne will make you a 25' version of his power strip I would imagine and his power cords are fantastic. But if you itch to do it yourself or make your own along with me then give me a shout.

JoshK · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 04:37 pm »

Daniel,

Do you live in a Coop/Condo that you own? If so I might look to bring in an electrician and have him install an outlet off the grounded circuit over where your system is. That is the most permanent solution I would think.

Daniel · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 05:21 pm »

I'm a renter but its rent-stabilized but I plan to stay for years. I agree. I think an electrician could run a groundwire from the grounded outlet along the baseboard to the ungrounded one. It might not be $$$$. The grounded outlet has only 1 receptacle for a plug so I would have to run the amp off the same extension cord as the rest of the gear.

I'm going to speak to an electrician but I think the answer for now will be to build a JoshK power cord. I'll be in touch!

Daniel · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Dec 2003, 10:18 pm »

JoshK and I have been plotting in secret to build my new 25' wundercord. It will start with a Furutech Gold plug, pass the juice along a 25 feet of star quad twisted, teflon-coated, silver-plated copper wire (6 12-gauge strands to make a roughly 9-gauge cable), and will terminate in my OneAC 4.6 amp power conditioner, which will be modded to remove the power switch and upgrade the outlets. You can read about assembling star quad cable here:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/32920.html

I went to Roosevelt Island to work with the master in his workshop yesterday. JoshK creates his masterpieces while looking north over the tip of the island and the East River to Hell's Gate and the Triborough Bridge. Its an unusual and inspiring view. I believe audio equipment manufactured with grand views like that sounds better. Certainly its a nice place to work.

Like many designers in the highest rank, Josh operates efficiently, setting priorities and moving from one task to the next with great purpose. He created a broad space on his workbench and immediately set out the bottles of Old Speckled Hen ale I had brought. We went to work on that first.

Next we turned to my OneAC power transformer, complete with a label on the case that was included with it free of charge--"do not plug anything into this power conditioner except the laser printer." Josh peeled the label off immediately. I assume (correct me if I'm wrong, Josh) that he thinks the label degrades the sound. We didn't do anything else to it except to open the cover and plan our modifications. It contained a powerswitch, a transformer, and a board with two large axial caps, a disk cap and a resistor, and two pairs of outlets. We also identified an unusually fluffy and soft dustball, one of the finest dustballs I've ever seen, truly audiophile grade.

Josh has a "nibbler" to enlarge the hole through which the power cable passes into the box. We will bypass the on-off switch. One pair of outlets will go straight to wall and the other will be power-conditioned. We will replace the outlets with Hubbell 20 amp outlets cryo'd at NASA. (Who says this isn't rocket science?) Replacement of the two beefy-looking caps with fancier stuff will wait for another day. I am looking into getting the dustball cryo'd.

We moved on to the main task for the day, which was twisting the wire. We calculated that the wire would shorten by about 10% after twisting, so we cut 2 56-foot lengths of wire and folded them in half. Josh attached the wires at one end to a piece of wood with a bolt in it and the other end to another piece of wood. We made sure the wires were untangled and then I stood on the far piece of wood while Josh fired up his variable speed drill and spun the bolt attached to the near piece of wood. It worked like a charm. The wires twisted up neat as could be and kept twisting tighter and tighter until the drill could twist no more.

The next steps are to apply heat shrink, loosely wrap the ground wires and then cover the whole thing in a Techflex polyethylene mesh expandable sleeve before terminating the whole shebang in the plug and power conditioner. Those tasks will wait another week because we ran out of Old Speckled Hen.

JoshK · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 Dec 2003, 05:36 pm »

Daniel,

Thanks for the kind words.

I think this is a fun project and I can't wait to start modding the OneACs.

I was a bit surprised that making the star quad for the 25' cord was as easy as it was. Of course, I couldn't have done it alone! I'll finish it up in the next couple days and then put it on the frykleaner for burn in.