I already have a power strip mounted to the wall at my reloading bench. Id like to try a line conditioner to see if it helps with drift on my scales. Some days they are fine and some days they drive me crazy! Could I plug the strip into a conditioner at the outlet? I mostly dont want to make more holes in the wall to mount a new strip with the line conditioner built in.
Power Strip Into Line Conditioner?
- Thread starter RabbitSlayer
- Start date
Multiracer
Gold $$ Contributor
60HZ fluorescent lights will do this to sensitive electronic scales.
My entire house is LED including the shop lights and table lamps.
Multiracer
Gold $$ Contributor
Well, cross that off your list. LOL
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
You can get a strip with line conditioner built in, if you want/need to isolate electronic devices in your reloading area, find one with 2 or more channels. WiFi equip, microwave ovens, vacuums are common sources of interference. So if you already have the LC, you can plug into it to clean up voltage sags,spikes. Low draw devices shouldn't be an issue.
I studied audio engineering for a time and most of us used rack mount power conditioners to supply power to our audio interface, mixer, preamps, and other audio effects. Furman is the goto brand for that kind of low-noise power conditioning. Consider this entry-level model:
www.sweetwater.com
Furman M-8x2 8 Outlet Power Conditioner
8-outlet Rackmountable Power Conditioner with Wall Wart Spacing on Rear Outlets - 15 Amps
www.sweetwater.com
I found that the HVAC vent messed with my powder dispenser scale, fixed by moving the bench to the wall opposite the vent.
Be careful. There are several kinds of line conditioners and protection levels. Research the subject before you buy. I recently read that I think it was called a surge protector varister in the units that need to be replaced periodically because they deteriate. It doesn't have to be a wall mounted unit. Some protectors are very expensive. The cheap ones have minimum protection and line conditioning. I think some guys are somehow running the scales with a battery. Don't know how it works. I'm sure someone on this website could explain how they did it.
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I have surveyor tape on the vent, so I don't weigh when it is on. It's opposite side of the room as the scales, but it is only like 12x12.
Tried removing the phone from the room several times. No different.
Look at the transformer end of your power cord for the scale. There should be a label or it is molded into the plastic. Look for it to say output voltage. It should say what that voltage is. Then build a battery pack that matches the output voltage. Or run it offa car battery with a potentiometer to adjust the voltage at the plug.
Just about all things electronical run on dc power. They all have a rectifier inside somewhere to convert ac to dc.
The other thing you can do is to shield your power cable. Wrap the cord in aluminum foil is a cheap easy way to check if you are getting any interference. While you are at it, wrap your cell phone to stop the spying that the phone companies do on you. Look up a faraday cage for the wire and your phone
Just about all things electronical run on dc power. They all have a rectifier inside somewhere to convert ac to dc.
The other thing you can do is to shield your power cable. Wrap the cord in aluminum foil is a cheap easy way to check if you are getting any interference. While you are at it, wrap your cell phone to stop the spying that the phone companies do on you. Look up a faraday cage for the wire and your phone
I have 5 different fluorescent light fixtures in my loading room. Completely surrounding me. None of the 3 electronic scales drift. They do when you first start them but I turn them on the first thing and let them warm up. I have a power supply I built back when I went through electronics school. It is extremly clean power coming out. That is what I would use if I had to.
kd4avp
Gold $$ Contributor
After many years of ham radio and working on various gear, I have seen AC line voltages swing more than you would think. My suggestion would be to get a Tripp Lite line conditioner if you have concerns. Or if you can find an old UPS used on a computer system will work also. Line conditioners are not cheap for a good one. Expect to pay $125 to $150 for one. Tripp Lite does make a good one.
I run an APC backup battery supply on my computer and AC powered radio gear. Works great but probably a little more expensive than most will want to pay.
I run an APC backup battery supply on my computer and AC powered radio gear. Works great but probably a little more expensive than most will want to pay.
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