Author Topic: Furman Power Conditioner Question (Read 203 times)

lowlife · « **on:** July 17, 2006, 08:08:25 AM »

I'm looking to purchase a Furman power conditioner. Can anyone tell me that if the unit is rated at 15 amps, does this mean that each of it's 8 rear-mounted outputs are rated at 15 amps or that the total draw of all 8 combined is 15 amps maximum load. Regretably, Furman's website does not answer this question, and the 12-page owners manual dosen't specify this either.

Ellery (Lowlife)

george_wright · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2006, 08:38:58 AM »

It's gotta be fifteen amps total. If each of the eight outlets put out fifteen, you'd be drawing over 120 amps through the Furman's power cord. Where would you plug it in :-)?

lowlife · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2006, 09:10:16 AM »

That a good point, which I obviously didn't consider. Which means that I would have to purchase 2 Furmans; 1 for my WT-800 which is a 15-amp draw by itself and 1 for all of the other stuff that needs power. I better re-think this one before blowing any money.

Thanks George.

Ellery (Lowlife)

olieoliver · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2006, 09:29:12 AM »

Something else to consider is that the 15 amp draw on the WT-800 is probably a peak rating I would assume. You?re probably not going draw a consistent 15 amps unless you running it max volume all the time. I used a Furman on my rack (Alesis preamp, SPX-90, Alesis 3630 comp. and a 500 watt 500 watt QSC power amp)for years and never had any trouble. I don't use this rack anymore too much to lug around.

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2006, 09:41:04 AM »

Ellery,
After discussing with Furman I got an AR-15 II. It is their 15 Amp voltage regulator/power conditioner. It feeds a Navigator, ELF M2 and a PLX3002. The decision was based on the power curve of the amp not the line amperage rating. Remember the current draw is transient basd on the program material. For the PLX3002 the typical current draw is 9.5 Amps at 4 ohms(14 Amps @ 2 ohms). This implies some clipping taking place. At Full it can draw 17 Amps. This would be running the Amp with heavy clipping. I don't plan to run with heavy clipping so I don't think this would be a problem.

I would suggest talking to Eden to get the power curves and then call Furman to find the appropriate device for your setup. They do make an AR-20 by the way which is 20 Amps.

Keith

keith_h · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2006, 09:59:11 AM »

I just searched the Eden boards and most everything I see there is using a 15 amp conditioner. Even those folks with WT1250's.

Keith

olieoliver · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:04:49 AM »

Ellery, Keith explained very well, (much better than my post). You'll probably be OK with the 15 amp conditioner but it wouldn't hurt a thing to go with the 20 amp for peace of mind sake.

lowlife · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2006, 11:32:17 AM »

All things considered, including you collective experiences, the 15 Amp model would probably work as there is NO WAY that I can play the WT-800 anywhere close to peak; it's just too powerful. With the gain at 12:00 o'clock position and all of the EQ at flat, I can only raise the master volume to the 3rd marker, which is about 9:00 o'clock, and I have to back the bass volume back at bit even at that. But I will check-out with Eden and try and get an idea of the current draw at the lower volume levels. If it's about 10 amps or so, then yes the 15 amp model will be perfect.

Thanks for all your input.

Ellery (Lowlife)
Feed the funk, move the booty!

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2006, 11:38:06 AM »

I don't know where you guys play, but most of the places I've been aren't even wired to guarantee that there's only one outlet on each 20A service feed. I think the 15A would be fine for anything you do and, if it isn't, then you're better off blowing the breaker in the conditioner or power strip than the house fuse.

2400wattman · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2006, 12:41:31 PM »

I use to use an Ampeg SVT 4Pro(1200 watts cruise, 1600 peak @ 4ohms) into an 8x10. This was plugged into my Furman and I blew the breaker on the amp/ never the conditioner. My band plays pretty damn loud so I don't think you'll have a problem.
Get down you lowlife booty mover!!

kilowatt · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2006, 02:38:31 PM »

Ellery,
I use a Furman PL-PLUS DM and I have never had a problem. You can switch between voltage and amperage read out on the display. I run everything in my rack thru it an have never even come close to a high amperage condition. The rack has my DS-5R,F-1X,SF-2,Korg tuner,DBX compressor and a QSC 3402 in it. The Furman has front lights and one of the outlets in the back is set up for digital use. I work in the electrical field, so I am pleased to see what my total amperage use is when my rig is running. Pushing a 4-10 out of one channel and a 2-12 out of the other channel rarely pushes the amperage above 6 amps. It will jump up slightly if I drop a Bass Bomb now and then.
I hope this helps.

Regards,
Pete

kmh364 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2006, 05:13:20 AM »

Lest us not forget that most 110V receptacles, and the branch circuits that supply them, are rated at 15A and protected for same. Occasionally, you may have and/or find 20A versions. It's doubtful you'd exceed the capacity of a 15A circuit unless said circuit is already heavily loaded and/or you are using multiple amps at/near rated output.

FWIW I've used two monoblock amps whose output devices can flow more than 20A of output current for some time, as well as the rest of my hi-fi rig, thru a single 15A rated/protected power conditioner thru a 15A receptacle circuit and never had a problem. My loudspeakers are notoriously current hungry as they drop to 0.5 Ohm impedance @ 50hz. The gong at the beginning of track 3 of NIN's Pretty Hate Machine (Down In It) caused the house lights to seriously dim (and roasted the main rail fuses on my previous stereo amp)!