Power hub?

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davdud101
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2017/10/02 19:03:56 (permalink)

Power hub?

Right now my entire system - LOTS of sensitive hardware like my PC, 2tb HDD with ALL of my files, studio monitors, PC screen and audio interface - are all basically sucking power through a power strip plugged into a wall socket. This obviously freaks me out, and I think I want to look at an alternative.
 
Anyone got good alternatives to a dangerous setup like this? I'm thinking especially some sort of large power-strip-type thing, maybe even with USB ports on it for plugging in my MIDI controller and not having to worry about power, and also saving a couple ports on the tower itself.

 
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#1

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    Cactus Music
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/02 19:49:42 (permalink)
    The only thing that draws enought power to matter is your studio monitors. Most computer equipment these days draws very little power.  Most fully equiped studio systems are hard pressed to use a full 15 amps,, probably more like 5 AMps. 
    If your monitors are powered, look on the back and note how much they draw. Bet it about 60Watts. 
     

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    #2
    DrLumen
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/02 20:47:09 (permalink)
    Unless your power strip starts tripping the breaker or something you should be fine. If it is UL listed for 15 amps then no worries really.
     
    I'm using a 4' strip something like this with warts and all.

     
    The main one I am using doesn't have any surge suppression (not really sure it has a switch) but I'm running it from a UPS. I only have a couple of things powered by USB so I just use the little plug in USB adapters - making sure they are amp rated for whatever they are powering.

    -When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

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    #3
    RSMCGUITAR
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/02 23:11:07 (permalink)
    I don't see how plugging a USB controller into a strip instead of the tower would make sense. How would it send messages to the DAW?
    #4
    kitekrazy1
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/02 23:54:43 (permalink)
    Anyone use those power conditioners for their DAW?

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    #5
    davdud101
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/03 00:02:17 (permalink)
    Cactus Music
    The only thing that draws enought power to matter is your studio monitors. Most computer equipment these days draws very little power.  Most fully equiped studio systems are hard pressed to use a full 15 amps,, probably more like 5 AMps. 
    If your monitors are powered, look on the back and note how much they draw. Bet it about 60Watts. 

    Ok! That gives me a lot of hope for that my system isn't using too much power or isn't at risk for something crazy happening. Knowing that though, I'm not opposed to the idea of just getting a few more additional outlets for adding gear if the need arises
     
    RSMCGUITAR
    I don't see how plugging a USB controller into a strip instead of the tower would make sense. How would it send messages to the DAW?

    I'm running MIDI I/O cables on it. Just don't really like being tied down to using USB ports on the tower itself... the controller can be power thru USB or DC (might switch over to DC after all anyway)
     
    Starting to get my mind changed about the whole situation though! I figured I was in a much deeper hole.

     
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    #6
    Rbh
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/03 01:07:41 (permalink)
    APC makes a good quality UPS and battery back-up system. The one I have is quite heavy and it's about as big as a small computer tower. It has a decent quantity of outlets available on the back that will cover your computer and drives plus a few other widgets.

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    #7
    Rbh
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/03 01:07:41 (permalink)
    APC makes a good quality UPS and battery back-up system. The one I have is quite heavy and it's about as big as a small computer tower. It has a decent quantity of outlets available on the back that will cover your computer and drives plus a few other widgets. It connects to your computer via a USB for instant monitoring of the power status on the computer.

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    #8
    Cactus Music
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/03 03:47:06 (permalink)
    I think the OP was worried he was overloading his power source and now realizes there is nothing to worry about. 
     
    To answer Kitekrazy, Yes many of us use Power conditioners, I have 2 Furmans, one in my Live rack and one powers most of my studio. From there, like most folks I have a few power bars that accommodate different parts of my system. 
    I used to have a USP but it died and I was was cheap to replace it, I have not had a situation where I needed it so why spend the money, they don't last. 
    I unplug the Furman when there is a thunder storm or I go away. 
    The Furman and many power bars have a fuse / breaker so there is no danger of overloading them. 

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    #9
    Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/03 05:12:34 (permalink)
    I have smaller Furman (surge protection) in every rack that goes out to live shows. They are not cheap but provide safety plus a quick way to rig up everything.
     
    A bigger Furman including power conditioner is at work in the studio, which is on a separate power supply from the rest of the building (something I can really recommend!). If needed I can plug UPS before the power conditioner to support the entire studio including amps and preamps for up to 15 minutes.
     
    Still I do unplug the main power supply to the studio in case of thunderstorms or vacations.

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    #10
    DrLumen
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    Re: Power hub? 2017/10/03 18:29:36 (permalink)
    RSMCGUITAR
    I don't see how plugging a USB controller into a strip instead of the tower would make sense. How would it send messages to the DAW?

    For me, I have a keyboard controller that I want to use the midi ports and don't want it to show up in the device list. I didn't want it sending messages to the DAW. :) It has a power adapter plug too but I didn't have a wall wart but did have some USB power plugs.
     
    I also have some cabinet fans that are powered by a USB type adapter. As these have somewhat of a 'high' power requirement I didn't want to power them from the PC.

    -When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

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    #11
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