KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Jul 16, 2021 12:36:08 GMT -5
There are a few products available that are described as "Trigger Controlled AC Outlets" - including models by Niles and Xantech.
However these tend to be expensive and may require more current to drive them than some of our products are able to deliver.
For anyone looking for a trigger controlled AC outlet I would suggest something like this... www.amazon.com/Iot-Relay-Enclosed-High-Power-Raspberry/dp/B00WV7GMA2(There are several other similar products available.) While these are described as accessories for hobbyist computers like the Raspberry Pi... Virtually all of them operate from a wide range of control voltages - and the 12 VDC output by a standard trigger output will operate them.
Most modern units also use an "opto-relay", an optically isolated electronically controlled relay, which requires very little current to operate. (Opto-relays are also totally electrically isolated - so they avoid any potential issues with ground noise or ground loops.)
There are several other similar products available (this one is $30 on Amazon).
(For this one you would need to clip one end off a standard trigger cable and connect the wires to the included Phoenix connector.)
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Post by knucklehead on Jul 16, 2021 15:02:47 GMT -5
I've owned several smart strips over the past few years, very handy to have. One was a Belkin that gave itself up when a lightning strike caused a power surge last year, saving $500 or more of electronics in my bedroom setup.
I've been using a Panamax M5300-EX for the HT and stereo setup in the living room. It did it's job during that power surge, and continues to do it's job. I bought it off ebay 6-7 years ago for around $100. Usually they are quite expensive. It has paid for itself a few times over. It has 4 unswitched outlet, and 8 switched outlets controlled by 12v trigger from a Yamaha RX-A2070 AVR. Two of those are delayed on. Great for subs or large amps. The Panamax is rated to carry 20A, IIRC.
For my two channel setup I use a cheap wireless 15A outlet controller. It controls 5 plugs, and is about as close as I'm ever going to get to a smart home! Nice thing about it is if I have a power failure it does not power back on when power comes on again. Cheap protection. It is plugged into the Panamax, which affords the two channel stuff the same surge protection as the multi channel stuff.
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Post by millst on Jul 17, 2021 1:01:02 GMT -5
I can second Keith's suggestion. I've been using one for a couple years and it has worked great with XMC-1/XMC-2. Paid under $30. It replaced a fairly elaborate custom power box I built as I needed to make room for some new equipment.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 19, 2021 13:50:12 GMT -5
I’ve also used this device for several years now, currently to control a pair of PA-1’s. It’s easy to install, and 12A will handle all but the biggest loads; my two have been reliable and they’re reasonably priced. 👍 i kind of like my older version a little better, instead of two “Normally On” outlets there is one, the second is “Always On”; I have found uses for Always On, but not for Normally On (which means it goes off when the trigger is hot). My units still have two Normally Off (triggered on), just remembered use the second outlet on each switch to power my turntable, and XPS-1, since the turntable and PA-1’s are always used together for the two channel system.  |
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Post by millst on Jul 21, 2021 10:12:49 GMT -5
If you know what you're doing, I bet it is pretty easy to take it apart and convert both outlets to always on  |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 21, 2021 10:22:07 GMT -5
If you know what you're doing, I bet it is pretty easy to take it apart and convert both outlets to always on Good point, hadn’t thought of that, mine are not too convenient to get to right now so I can’t inspect them or give them an “IFixIt Score” 🤓 |
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