12v trigger options for amps without

[jdubs]

I know such devices exist, and for the life of my I can't find quite what I'm looking for. I'd like to simplify a system for the kids and have the amplifier turn on when they turn on the pre-amp (I'm looking at the new XDA-3). The XDA has 12v trigger out... is there a power strip or another device that can then turn on the amp(s) and maybe other devices?

[Zombie]

Tricklestar Power Strip has one with a sensitivity adjustment. I use one for my outdoor set-up with separate amps. Works great. Basically my HEOS Link is on stand-by until I turn it on (via app). Once it fully powers on it activates switched outlets that power my amps.

[jdubs]

Aug 24, 2023 20:02:34 GMT -5 Zombie said:

Tricklestar Power Strip has one with a sensitivity adjustment. I use one for my outdoor set-up with separate amps. Works great. Basically my HEOS Link is on stand-by until I turn it on (via app). Once it fully powers on it activates switched outlets that power my amps.

Great! I’ll check it out.

[geebo]

Aug 24, 2023 20:08:29 GMT -5 jdubs said:

Aug 24, 2023 20:02:34 GMT -5 Zombie said:

Tricklestar Power Strip has one with a sensitivity adjustment. I use one for my outdoor set-up with separate amps. Works great. Basically my HEOS Link is on stand-by until I turn it on (via app). Once it fully powers on it activates switched outlets that power my amps.

Great! I’ll check it out.

I have one of these and it works really well. It's triggered from a trigger output like on the XDA-3. You only have to strip one end of the trigger cable and connect to the green Phoenix connector on the side.

www.amazon.com/Iot-Relay-Enclosed-High-Power-Raspberry/dp/B00WV7GMA2/ref=sr_1_28?crid=3NQ98C08TTG09&keywords=12v+trigger&qid=1692928295&sprefix=12v+trigge%2Caps%2C433&sr=8-28

[KeithL]

That's where I ended up too...

When I looked I discovered one or two older devices actually described as "trigger controlled AC outlets"...
But they tended to be bulky and expensive (like the Xantech AC1)...
Many of the older ones also use mechanical relays...
And, while they are built like tanks, the relay is driven directly by the input, which can cause problems for modern solid state trigger control circuitry...
Relay coils require a significant amount of current to drive - some as much as 100 mA or even more.
Relay coils also generate a pulse of back-EMF voltage when de-energized; the device should include snubbers to suppress this but some seem not to.

However there seem to be a lot of newer devices designed to be used for "home automation" or "projects"... and controlled by gadgets like the Raspberry Pi and Arduino...
These have more sophisticated circuitry - including an opto-isolator on the input.
So, instead of powering a relay directly, the input signal merely lights an LED.
Most of these will operate over a very wide range of voltages - some as wide as 5V - 48V.
And they draw very little current and so are very easy to drive by virtually any trigger output.

I've seen the outlet strips that turn on when they "sense" that a device connected to one special outlet is powered on...
They seem like they might be a reasonable solution...
But, while I've never personally used one, I have heard that some of them can be excessively "fussy"...
For example, I heard of one case where a preamp plugged into the "sensing outlet" didn't draw enough power to turn on the other outlets.
And, alternately, if you leave your preamp or processor in Standby, it may never draw little enough current for the main outlets to switch off.

It's also worth mentioning that the switched outlet Geebo linked (which is the one I have) has both normally-on and normally-off outlets.
(So, if you wanted to, you could even have a room lamp that switches off when the amps turn on... so the lights dim when the music starts... and turn back on when you turn the music off  .)

Aug 24, 2023 20:52:34 GMT -5 geebo said:

Aug 24, 2023 20:08:29 GMT -5 jdubs said:

Great! I’ll check it out.

I have one of these and it works really well. It's triggered from a trigger output like on the XDA-3. You only have to strip one end of the trigger cable and connect to the green Phoenix connector on the side.

www.amazon.com/Iot-Relay-Enclosed-High-Power-Raspberry/dp/B00WV7GMA2/ref=sr_1_28?crid=3NQ98C08TTG09&keywords=12v+trigger&qid=1692928295&sprefix=12v+trigge%2Caps%2C433&sr=8-28

[jdubs]

THIS is the kind of content I'm here for!

[405x5]

I would advise caution for employing outboard trigger controls on certain amplifiers.

Those amplifiers that are driven with idler power supplies…… Those are used at idle to protect the more sensitive electronic components contain within. an outboard trigger control device is going to turn on the whole shooting match at once, possibly shortening the life of the amplifier.

[jdubs]

Aug 25, 2023 11:01:37 GMT -5 405x5 said:

I would advise caution for employing outboard trigger controls on certain amplifiers.

Those amplifiers that are driven with idler power supplies…… Those are used at idle to protect the more sensitive electronic components contain within. an outboard trigger control device is going to turn on the whole shooting match at once, possibly shortening the life of the amplifier.

Thanks; I'm good though.