Question:
Not sure if this is best in the HC forum and computing, as I've got two of these gadgets, one for my HC, and one for the computer, but anyway :)...
I've got a couple of these 8-way surge protectors from Belkin, which are great, but I've just recently noticed the green LED showing the device is 'protected' is out on both. The orange 'earth' LED is still on.
However, I'm not sure I've ever seen them on. I didn't really pay much attention.
I've also realised they they may have blown recently as one day my TV and amp switched off and came back on (though every other device was unaffected, and the fuse box didn't trip).
Are these things basically dead once they've handled a "surge"?
i.e. do I now have to go buy some more, or is there some way of resetting them (I can't find the instructions, and it doesn't say much on Belkin's web site)?
Originally posted by DeadKenny
However, I'm not sure I've ever seen them on. I didn't really pay much attention.
For what it's worth the "Protected" LED on my Surge Master F5 C100u (protects computer/monitor/printer plus 2 X aux) is always on. Like you, I can't find the instructions, but it looks suspiciously like your device is "dead" as you put it. If my memory is correct, there was something on the packaging about a mega bucks payout if any equipment was damaged as a result of a failed Surge Master. So maybe your Surge Master has done its job and now needs replacing (JMHO).
Originally posted by EZRyder
For what it's worth the "Protected" LED on my Surge Master F5 C100u (protects computer/monitor/printer plus 2 X aux) is always on. Like you, I can't find the instructions, but it looks suspiciously like your device is "dead" as you put it. If my memory is correct, there was something on the packaging about a mega bucks payout if any equipment was damaged as a result of a failed Surge Master. So maybe your Surge Master has done its job and now needs replacing (JMHO).
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking :(. I suppose I should be thankful it's done it's job but now it's unprotected and I bet if I got another surge and it blew up something, Belkin wouldn't pay out on the warranty (I think it was £30,000).
Maybe my next investment should be a UPS. Problem is I need enough to cover both the hi-fi and computer which I'm betting requires 2 or more (I'm using up almost 8 sockets on each power-strip, so about 16 sockets are required!).
The original packing said that the lifespan of the diodes which prevent surges is limited to a few years - once the green light goes out you should replace it asap. The green light on my 6-way Surgemaster is noteably dim so I'll need to buy a new one soon too.
If you're at all handy with a soldering iron, why not look at the possibility of replacing the diodes? (Good old Maplins to the rescue again ?);)
Originally posted by EZRyder
If you're at all handy with a soldering iron, why not look at the possibility of replacing the diodes? (Good old Maplins to the rescue again ?);)
Could do, but I wouldn't be covered by the warranty then.
Ah ! Never thought of that. Looks like you're down to searching for the best price on replacements. I know Staples sell a varied range and may be a bit cheaper than PC World. Anyway good luck.
I think a UPS might be in order. Anyone bought a UPS, and are they worth it?
I use a lot at work. Depends what you want, for home cinema kit, I doubt you'd get a serious amount of autonomy. PCs etc are fine.
Really though, it depends what you want a UPS for. If you're prone to small drops, brownouts or occasional user-originated power outages then fine.
If you're expecting HC whilst theres a power cut then forget about it.
I'm not really after the battery backup for HC, though maybe for the PC. I don't really get many blackouts, but if there was one it would be nice for the PC to have a chance to shut-down.
My main worry is surges as obviously there's been at least one recently and there have been many occasions with fluctuating lights. Problem is, these surges obviously blow the surge protector which means shelving out another £30 a piece, so for a cheapish UPS I'm hoping I wouldn't have to replace the thing every time there's a power surge.
My HC kit does include a TiVo with is a linux box really, so a bit of protection is worth it there too.
Bizarre thing is I'm concerned about this for home use and yet it's a struggle to convince the bosses at work to get some UPS's for some of our servers at work! :oh-hum:
Yes, bosses never want to pay for these things. It's the old story of only doing something when its too late.
Belkin make some cute PC UPS, which sound ideal for your PC setup and your Tivo etc.
I dont have prices etc, but they're not appallingly expensive. They have serial leads to allow shutdown, which is fine for PC, and *possibly* your linux box, but you'd need to go some to get hte tivo to work with it. it might be possible though.
In terms of autonomy, you're going to get a few minutes max on these. Enough to close down either manually or automatically.
Btw, every PC i use at work is on its own UPS!
:O
Originally posted by Me Too
The original packing said that the lifespan of the diodes which prevent surges is limited to a few years - once the green light goes out you should replace it asap. The green light on my 6-way Surgemaster is noteably dim so I'll need to buy a new one soon too.
I've got the same model too, it's only around a year old but the green light is dim already. :suspect:
i am sure the belkin surge protectors come with a lifetime waranty, the green light went out on mine showing it was unprotected so i called them up and was sent a replacement foc,
check your unit to see if it comes with a lifetime waranty & seehere (http://www.belkin.co.uk/support/tech/howtorec.htm)
Originally posted by chas
i am sure the belkin surge protectors come with a lifetime waranty, the green light went out on mine showing it was unprotected so i called them up and was sent a replacement foc,
Cool. I knew there was a warranty, but I was assuming that's for a failure whereas it burning out after handling a surge was "as designed".
I'll have to give them a call. What do they ask for though as "proof" as it's very unlikely I'll have the receipts. They'll probably be suspect too about both having the green lights out.
P.S. Checked again and there is a very dim light from the green lights, but I reckon it's just the light for the orange 'Earth' light showing through.
they didnot ask for proof they sent me an rma which i used to return the unit and a replacement was sent, i am pretty sure i actually got the replacement before i sent the damaged unit check my above post as you can get an rma on line or just call them up
Originally posted by chas
they didnot ask for proof they sent me an rma which i used to return the unit and a replacement was sent, i am pretty sure i actually got the replacement before i sent the damaged unit check my above post as you can get an rma on line or just call them up
Thanks :).
Only problem I can see is... "All products must be returned with all originally supplied parts (including manuals, cables, software, power adapters, etc.)". I don't think I've got a manual. Not sure if there was one. Probably some bit of paper instruction and I bet that's lost. Do you know if there was one, or just the box?
no manual with mine only a small piece of paper in the box
Originally posted by chas
no manual with mine only a small piece of paper in the box
Maybe I can get away without that. I've got the boxes and obviously the power-strips, but that's it. I'll give the RMA a go anyway.
I've got a couple of these 8-way surge protectors from Belkin, which are great, but I've just recently noticed the green LED showing the device is 'protected' is out on both. The orange 'earth' LED is still on.
However, I'm not sure I've ever seen them on. I didn't really pay much attention.
I've also realised they they may have blown recently as one day my TV and amp switched off and came back on (though every other device was unaffected, and the fuse box didn't trip).
Are these things basically dead once they've handled a "surge"?
i.e. do I now have to go buy some more, or is there some way of resetting them (I can't find the instructions, and it doesn't say much on Belkin's web site)?
Answers:
Originally posted by DeadKenny
However, I'm not sure I've ever seen them on. I didn't really pay much attention.
For what it's worth the "Protected" LED on my Surge Master F5 C100u (protects computer/monitor/printer plus 2 X aux) is always on. Like you, I can't find the instructions, but it looks suspiciously like your device is "dead" as you put it. If my memory is correct, there was something on the packaging about a mega bucks payout if any equipment was damaged as a result of a failed Surge Master. So maybe your Surge Master has done its job and now needs replacing (JMHO).
Answers:
Originally posted by EZRyder
For what it's worth the "Protected" LED on my Surge Master F5 C100u (protects computer/monitor/printer plus 2 X aux) is always on. Like you, I can't find the instructions, but it looks suspiciously like your device is "dead" as you put it. If my memory is correct, there was something on the packaging about a mega bucks payout if any equipment was damaged as a result of a failed Surge Master. So maybe your Surge Master has done its job and now needs replacing (JMHO).
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking :(. I suppose I should be thankful it's done it's job but now it's unprotected and I bet if I got another surge and it blew up something, Belkin wouldn't pay out on the warranty (I think it was £30,000).
Maybe my next investment should be a UPS. Problem is I need enough to cover both the hi-fi and computer which I'm betting requires 2 or more (I'm using up almost 8 sockets on each power-strip, so about 16 sockets are required!).
Answers:
The original packing said that the lifespan of the diodes which prevent surges is limited to a few years - once the green light goes out you should replace it asap. The green light on my 6-way Surgemaster is noteably dim so I'll need to buy a new one soon too.
Answers:
If you're at all handy with a soldering iron, why not look at the possibility of replacing the diodes? (Good old Maplins to the rescue again ?);)
Answers:
Originally posted by EZRyder
If you're at all handy with a soldering iron, why not look at the possibility of replacing the diodes? (Good old Maplins to the rescue again ?);)
Could do, but I wouldn't be covered by the warranty then.
Answers:
Ah ! Never thought of that. Looks like you're down to searching for the best price on replacements. I know Staples sell a varied range and may be a bit cheaper than PC World. Anyway good luck.
Answers:
I think a UPS might be in order. Anyone bought a UPS, and are they worth it?
Answers:
I use a lot at work. Depends what you want, for home cinema kit, I doubt you'd get a serious amount of autonomy. PCs etc are fine.
Really though, it depends what you want a UPS for. If you're prone to small drops, brownouts or occasional user-originated power outages then fine.
If you're expecting HC whilst theres a power cut then forget about it.
Answers:
I'm not really after the battery backup for HC, though maybe for the PC. I don't really get many blackouts, but if there was one it would be nice for the PC to have a chance to shut-down.
My main worry is surges as obviously there's been at least one recently and there have been many occasions with fluctuating lights. Problem is, these surges obviously blow the surge protector which means shelving out another £30 a piece, so for a cheapish UPS I'm hoping I wouldn't have to replace the thing every time there's a power surge.
My HC kit does include a TiVo with is a linux box really, so a bit of protection is worth it there too.
Bizarre thing is I'm concerned about this for home use and yet it's a struggle to convince the bosses at work to get some UPS's for some of our servers at work! :oh-hum:
Answers:
Yes, bosses never want to pay for these things. It's the old story of only doing something when its too late.
Belkin make some cute PC UPS, which sound ideal for your PC setup and your Tivo etc.
I dont have prices etc, but they're not appallingly expensive. They have serial leads to allow shutdown, which is fine for PC, and *possibly* your linux box, but you'd need to go some to get hte tivo to work with it. it might be possible though.
In terms of autonomy, you're going to get a few minutes max on these. Enough to close down either manually or automatically.
Btw, every PC i use at work is on its own UPS!
:O
Answers:
Originally posted by Me Too
The original packing said that the lifespan of the diodes which prevent surges is limited to a few years - once the green light goes out you should replace it asap. The green light on my 6-way Surgemaster is noteably dim so I'll need to buy a new one soon too.
I've got the same model too, it's only around a year old but the green light is dim already. :suspect:
Answers:
i am sure the belkin surge protectors come with a lifetime waranty, the green light went out on mine showing it was unprotected so i called them up and was sent a replacement foc,
check your unit to see if it comes with a lifetime waranty & seehere (http://www.belkin.co.uk/support/tech/howtorec.htm)
Answers:
Originally posted by chas
i am sure the belkin surge protectors come with a lifetime waranty, the green light went out on mine showing it was unprotected so i called them up and was sent a replacement foc,
Cool. I knew there was a warranty, but I was assuming that's for a failure whereas it burning out after handling a surge was "as designed".
I'll have to give them a call. What do they ask for though as "proof" as it's very unlikely I'll have the receipts. They'll probably be suspect too about both having the green lights out.
P.S. Checked again and there is a very dim light from the green lights, but I reckon it's just the light for the orange 'Earth' light showing through.
Answers:
they didnot ask for proof they sent me an rma which i used to return the unit and a replacement was sent, i am pretty sure i actually got the replacement before i sent the damaged unit check my above post as you can get an rma on line or just call them up
Answers:
Originally posted by chas
they didnot ask for proof they sent me an rma which i used to return the unit and a replacement was sent, i am pretty sure i actually got the replacement before i sent the damaged unit check my above post as you can get an rma on line or just call them up
Thanks :).
Only problem I can see is... "All products must be returned with all originally supplied parts (including manuals, cables, software, power adapters, etc.)". I don't think I've got a manual. Not sure if there was one. Probably some bit of paper instruction and I bet that's lost. Do you know if there was one, or just the box?
Answers:
no manual with mine only a small piece of paper in the box
Answers:
Originally posted by chas
no manual with mine only a small piece of paper in the box
Maybe I can get away without that. I've got the boxes and obviously the power-strips, but that's it. I'll give the RMA a go anyway.
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