https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:17:57 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/paged/2/#post-259297 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 07:05:29 +0000 The reasons that stranded wire is used for non-permanent applications (like extension cords) is that it is much more flexible, and is more tolerant of being repeatedly flexed. Solid wire would fail much more rapidly if it was repeatedly coiled, uncoiled, stepped on, etc.

The disadvantage it that stranded is more expensive than solid.]]> Live Sound kent_eh https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/paged/2/#post-259297 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/paged/2/#post-259288 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 05:13:52 +0000
Ok, I'm going to put some of this stuff together. Earlier today I looked at my outlet strips and I have two good ones without circuit breakers ( At least I think they don't have a breaker; they have an off/ on switch ).

I'm going to print this thread out and draw up some diagrams and see if I can make this work. I'll keep in touch.

Thanks again for all of you help.]]> Live Sound Coachmoe https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/paged/2/#post-259288 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259287 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:57:30 +0000
Stranded wire is abunch of little wires twisted together to make one wire. Feeder wire is like the Romex you use to wire houses just two strands of copper wiring, I honestly don't know what regualr extension cords are made of. I've never cut mine up... LOL... maybe i should to learn. A trick on rolling those up is go buy a hose reel. makes life so simple. my mic cables are on one and also my extension cords, and if my 100' snake would fit on would i promise id put it on there too.]]> Live Sound leear https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259287 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259235 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:54:03 +0000
I assume that I would plug all of the power amps into the heavy duty power strip in the back of the amp rack and the power strip would plug into the 8 outlet gang box that I would make. Is this correct?

What about the AC cord on the outlet strip, does it have to be 12AWG ?

Also, what is the difference between stranded and the electrical or feeder wire. Is stranded wire what regular extension cords are made of? You know how hard it is to wrap them up. Is feeder wire / electrical wire real flexible and easy to wrap? It sure would be nice to have extension cords that wrap up nicely.


Thanks for the info. I'll be working on it this week.]]> Live Sound Coachmoe https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259235 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259224 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:11:14 +0000
A 50amp breaker is usually two poles with one big pull lever. Go to home depot or lowes or any store like that and ask em for one.
Connecting them to an extension cord is easy. Its just like connecting a new plug like you said. Everything is labled.


As far as your idea i honestly don't know. Here is my ultimate easy suggestion for you.


1. Go to local hardware store (or ebay) and buy you 4 110V outlets so you'll have 8 total plugs.
2. Ask if they have a gang box to hold them, if not simple carpentry work will do at home.
3. Ask if they have about 100' of atleast 12AWG feeder or electrical wire, (DO NOT USE STRANDED)
4. Finally get a 50amp breaker di-pole from them.
5. Go home and assemble together its really easy if you have any trouble I can help you best I can just leave a reaply and i'll check it regulary.

Mount you a heavey duty power stip in the back of your amp rack (remove the Furman).
All amps plug in here.

Run an extension cord to you board/FX now you will have 6 plugs left on your box.

You can use these for connecting guitar amps and the such on stage plus you have extra. Now if you don't think you need 8 plugs then get what you need.]]> Live Sound leear https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259224 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259197 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 09:57:24 +0000 However, I don't like to recommend that people who are not absolutely comfortable with electricity open up any panel, let alone tie in unsupervised.

Most of the bars/pubs/clubs that I used to work at had at least one 50 amp plug backstage. I still always checked them with my meter before plugging the distro in, just in case.]]> Live Sound kent_eh https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259197 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259101 Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:48:27 +0000
The gang box is a good idea. How about this as an alternative:

http://www.tripplite.com/products/product.cfm?productID=203

I could mount it in the rack and make up a 25 ft cord AND a 50 footer with the 50 amp breakers depending on the venue. BTW, yesterday I went out and bought 2 25 footers and a 50 foot 12 AWG extension cords.

The Tripplites come with 15 ' cords. Could I wire the 50 amp breaker in at the end of THAT cord and just run a 12AWG extension cord to it? That would save me from having to hack up more extension cords.

Finally, as I am pretty ignorant, what does the 50 amp breaker that I would need look like? My electrical cord ability is limited to cutting ends off of cords and replacing them with new ones.

Once again, thanks to all for helping.]]> Live Sound Coachmoe https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259101 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259096 Sat, 11 Aug 2007 16:53:26 +0000

adding to kent_eh.

Distros are great I don't have a plug on mine, I have bare 4 conductor wire. I either tie directly into the lugs on the breaker box at the venue(providing they are the newer double lug boxes) Or the eaiset thing to do is buy you a 50-100 amp breaker whicher you need probaby 50. then i connect it to my bare wires go to the panel box and find an open slot and plug in my breaker ground it to the appropriate place(never use a floating ground causes bad hum) and flip on my breaker now i know i have everything.

Same thing can be done but cheaper in Coachmoe's case. IF YOU HAVE THE TIME GO BUY YOU 100' OR LONG EXTENSION CORD AND PUT ABOUT A 8 BLOCK ON THE END OF IT. ON THE OTHER END CUT OFF THE PLUG AND ATTACH A 50 AMP BREAKER. PLUG IT IN AND FLIP IT ON NOW YOU HAVE 8 OUTLETS AND CAN RUN EVERYTHING FROM IT.]]> Live Sound leear https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259096 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259012 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 22:10:37 +0000 spec sheets, their amps are pretty tolerant of bad power (they claim to be able to operate from 130 to 90 VAC).
I'd save the power conditioners for the boards/FX/EQ type equipment.

Also, if you don't already have one, get one of these:

and use it on every outlet that you intend to use at any gig.

And leear's suggestion about getting a distro is also a good one, but you need to make sure that the venue has a plug available to hook it up to. In my experience that is a "stove plug", which is a 50 amp, 220V circuit, which should be lots for most stages.]]> Live Sound kent_eh https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-259012 https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-258993 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:45:44 +0000
Is this correct?

1. Get rid of the Furman power conditioner on the amp rack and switch to a heavy duty outlet strip without a breaker reset. I will plug my 3 amps and crossover into the outlet strip, and run it off of one 12 AWG extension cord

2. Continue to run the Furman on my effects rack / board set up

Can I run the effects rack / board off of the same cord as the power amps or should I run a different line to a different outlet?

What about the Monster line of surge suppressor / outlet strips? Are they worth the money or are they overpriced? They have a rack mount unit that is a combo surge protecter / 8 outlet strip

Thanks again for your help. :)]]> Live Sound Coachmoe https://guitarnoise.forum/live-sound/power-amps-keep-blowing/#post-258993