SSlmixed.com Forum

Tech discussion => 4K,6K,8K Series => Topic started by: MarconeMusic on April 11, 2018, 09:38:46 AM

Title: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: MarconeMusic on April 11, 2018, 09:38:46 AM
Hi.
I’ve heard rumours and I’ve searched the forum to find a definitive answer.

Do our power supplies work more efficiently at 240v than 120v?

I have the option at our place to set it up. Currently we’re on 120.

We just wired up a 600 line in. Transformer. Etc.

So. Upgrade to 240v?

Let’s hear bout it from y’all!

Pros. Cons.
Title: Re: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: neumann25 on April 16, 2018, 05:46:27 PM
  Were you referring single phase 240,  120 per leg ? .. I found 120 single phase sounded much better than 120 per leg = 240!  Now if your in europe and can do single phase 240v  that sounds great! 
Title: Re: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: waltzingbear on April 17, 2018, 06:18:33 PM
There is not much change in efficiency between 120 and 240 Vac, still needs the same power. Going to 240 does reduce the wire size needed for the same power level (Power=VoltsXAmps)

In theory, in the US, going to 240Vac would give you the advantage of balanced power, as that is inherently what it is. Any individual installation can of course have its own realities, just because its balanced voltage in setup doesn't mean the load is balanced, and that could possibly have an effect on interference and harmonics. A supposition.

By the way, "120 per leg = 240! " is still single phase. There is no "two phase" in actual usage, only single and 3 phase.

Cheers
Alan
Title: Re: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: MarconeMusic on April 18, 2018, 07:04:14 PM
:) awesome.

SO... should i? Hahahaha....

Title: Re: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: waltzingbear on April 19, 2018, 05:40:31 PM
we don't really know where you are, and that makes a difference in what type of power distro you have to begin with.  And that's before any attempts at adjusting for "best sound".

Personally, in the US, I would use 220Vac  power to run an SSL, and have done so.  As all things though, it is a systems approach that is needed. I have been putting them into large system integration where there will be too much power used to even consider some of the oft touted minimalist approaches, such as running everything off one leg.  If you are using a full sized SSL I think that will generally be the case, but if you are using a cut down board, there may be other options.

So, as usual, it depends. :-)

Cheers
Alan
Title: Re: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: MarconeMusic on May 05, 2018, 07:20:25 AM
Hey! Sorry I didn’t clarify. I assumed y’all knew the board. My bad

I’m up in Hamilton Ontario.

Not the us. In Canada. It’s a 48now. Was a 64.
Title: Re: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: neumann25 on May 05, 2018, 09:39:59 PM
Hello 

I would do a mix with the power socket and supply wired for  single phase 120v, then change the supply to 240V and feed 120v per leg and see what sounds best.. I bet the 120v will sound "better" ..

I been threw all of this many times with power amps and console.. To me balanced power has its problems sonically!!!

I don't doubt your hear more bottom end with 240v, but the highs will not be as clean!
Title: Re: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: xmax on July 12, 2018, 07:54:33 PM
Here is a good way to save some power and sound better 8)
https://www.atomicinstrument.com/
Title: Re: Power supplies working at 240v and efficiency
Post by: MarconeMusic on July 20, 2018, 01:33:26 AM
Would love to! but 5100.00 for the unit. then Canadian conversion.
I have like 5 Power supplies at the moment. Maybe if i can sell some of them.. but...
... Its not the 80s ... album budgets are a little thin these days. I dont pay Hydro costs so, not concerned for now. Thanks tho!