Not getting 120V ?!?! - Power Line Conditioners...

[dhitoshi]

Originally Posted by DarkDune

Boston MA - USA

I live in Portland, Maine. I can confirm that New England has a horrible power grid, and it keeps getting worse with every new SUPER STRIP MALL. I live near downtown Portland and my power is usually 108 to 115 during the day and then after 8pm I am between 122 to 128. After 8pm less strain is on the power grid, being that commercial use is a fraction after 8pm. Power got worse at the hi-fi shop I work at after a new Lowe's/Wal-Mart/Cabela's opened last year less than a mile away. The Panamax's at the store used to read 119 to 122 during the day then 2 new strip malls open up and now the store gets 106 to 116 all day, not to mention that the line noise increased 3 times what we had before from the Audio Prism noise sniffer we use to demo the Panamax's with.
You mentioned recently buying the M5300-PM. I suggest exchanging the unit for the M5400-PM. I originally bought the M5400-PM 18 months ago upgrading from a M5400-EX just so I could benefit from the voltage regulation (the depressing part was that I bought the M5400-EX and 3 months later Panamax announces the PM series). The M5400-PM keeps your power output between 115 to 125 volts at all times via 10 volt increments. I recently upgraded to the M7500-PRO last month because it does 2 volt increments so my power is now always between 119 to 121.
The problem with low voltage such as you are getting is that your gear will draw more current which means your electronics will run hotter, which will shorten their lifespan.
My PS3's overdrive fan does not click on as often since using a power conditioner with voltage regulation.

[DarkDune]

Originally Posted by dhitoshi

The problem with low voltage such as you are getting is that your gear will draw more current which means your electronics will run hotter, which will shorten their lifespan.
My PS3's overdrive fan does not click on as often since using a power conditioner with voltage regulation.

Interesting!

Our PS3 runs its fan ALL THE TIME! Never dawned on me that it was the need for higher current due to the lower line voltage! Now that I think about it, we had to have our Pioneer ELITE VSX-37TX serviced a year ago as the soldering joints on the DSP board came loose -- probably due to the heat!

I would like to get the M5400-PM, but it is some $200 more ...

I have that option still, but need to go through the Best Buy Returns Gauntlet to do so...

Thanks for the FYI on the higher current issue

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by ozzman

Very helpful info .
Is my system at any danger running 110

not necessarily. all UL listed equipment in the USA is designed to function to within + or - 10% or the nameplate rating voltage wise. the equipment usually will not start to run into problems until you go beyond those parameters. it also depends how far above or below you go as to the effect it will have on the equipment. at a minimum, mind you this is not a solution for your problem but a stop gap protective measure for your equipment, keep it on a good, properly rated line conditioner or UPS w/AVR that should keep your equipment rolling with good clean voltage. this is only a small part of your solution, see the below answer for the rest. but you should always have a device that will clean the power you get and automatically regulate the voltage levels plugged into your source and your equipment (the load) plugged into it. protect your investment!



What will my benefits be if i can get it up to 115-120v

better functionallity, longer life and possibly, improved performance (or at least the level of performance it was designed to give at the right voltage and temperature levels) I think you have a real problem you should let the utility know and they will come out and check on the meter side what the power is coming to the meter if it is above the level you get when nothing is running in your house (lets say 120v) then you have a problem. if it's at the level you get in your house when nothing is running and it's 110 and they say it should be higher then it's their problem. if you own the house i still recommend having and electrician check out your distribution system. if you live in an apartment, you should have the landlord do the same.

[ozzman]

Thank you for taking the time to answer that.
I will look into it

[DarkDune]

Originally Posted by DarkDune

I would like to get the M5400-PM, but it is some $200 more ...

I have that option still, but need to go through the Best Buy Returns Gauntlet to do so...

Thanks for the FYI on the higher current issue

OK,

So my 4-year-old and I went back to BestBuy returned the M5300-PM and ordered an M5400-PM. I am also happy cause I noticed that the M5300-PM box had "floor model" written all over it .

I will still pursue the angle of contacting the power company, but now we will be sure to be feeding the Home Theater 120V at a current that won't run things so hot.

Will let you know the results

[DarkDune]

Well,

I picked up and installed the Panamax M5400-PM and it works great! Gives up pretty good voltage now between 118 Volts and 124 Volts now depending on what else is on using the same circuit. My mission now is to label all the outlets and figure out what else is using the same circuit.

Will keep you all posted!

[vicdog]

Thanks for the update. So is the PS3 still running the fan all the time?

[fronk777]

The panamax m5300-ex is on sale from Amazon.com right now for another 25 minutes under gold box lightning deals for $199.

Anyone know the difference between the PM and EX aside from the extra front display?

[DarkDune]

Originally Posted by vicdog

Thanks for the update. So is the PS3 still running the fan all the time?

Short answer, doesn't seem to run the fan as much.

Longer answer -- I switched to a different Outlet last night, cause I found out our refrigerator was using the original circuit too. I get better voltage now, but that Outlet has an Open Ground issue I need to find out if I can fix.

I will let you know how my testing goes over the next few days...

[Deadset]

Just a few thoughts on your voltage issues. The utility is probably using ANSI Range A voltages and voltages vary greatly depending on your location of any given feeder.

At the meter the ranges are: 126 - 114

At the point of utilization: 126 - 110

Anything lower than 110v, you should be able to get corrected by the utility. After all, the higher the voltage, the more power use, more $ paid out. Plus anything below 110 is just plain sloppy engineering.

Also, something to think about, peak loading usually occurs between 4pm - 7pm, give or take a few..... so your voltage will dip during peak times....

PM me if you want to know more...

Good luck!