Date   : Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:19:04 +0200
From   : rick@... (Rick Murray)
Subject: Leccy @ Acorn World '09

Dave Moore wrote:

> If we're still overdoing it, then I guess we'd either need to 'rotate' some of
> the similar exhibits, or hire a generator w/ distribution boxes (though this
> could amount to ?300+ for the hire so best avoided if poss). I did ask about
> trailing a couple of sockets on a long extension from another ring main, but
> they (the hotel) didn't seem keen. :(

They aren't keen on trailing leads but would accept a gennie? Odd...


> Incidentally, I''ve been advised that the sockets in the lobby belong to a
> separate ring main, which is shared with part of the kitchen.

Oooh! I hope nothing on that line is sensitive to wild disturbances in 
the power. Kettles, grills, electric cookers - all will make an impact. 
Not to mention the possibility of some icky transients if they have 
automatic fan units. When I was involved with EMC testing, it was 
amazing how much "suppressed" stuff really wasn't - and the big main 
culprit was often big chunky old relays for directly switching mains.

So if you're on the kitchen line, a line filter might be a good idea - 
does your equipment have something like this on the power inlet?
http://uk.farnell.com/schurter/dc12-2102-101/filter-inlet-2-pole-switched-2a/dp/1076993

I added one (from an old printer) to my PC. Plan to see if I can 
scrounge a few more for the RiscPC and the Beeb - though I'm not quite 
sure where I'd fit it in the Beeb's PSU?

BTW, if you think I'm paranoid, I'll let you know I'm at the end of a 
long 3-phase line. Putting on the kettle (2200W @ 240VAC) causes the 
lights to dip noticably. There may or may not be a voltage drop of 15VAC 
- it would be nice if the incoming mains actually found a level and 
stuck to it! At least it is "usually" 230VAC, so stuff works (back in 
the dark ages France was 220V and UK was 240V, I think everybody is 
trying to standardise on 230V). My laptop PSU, for what it is worth, 
will autorange down to 90VAC. Who the hell is running 90V? American 
Hicksville with wiring even worse than rural Spain?!? :-)


> So this is why I've provisionally relocated Rob's socket-hungry BBS
 > setup to the lobby area (alongside the 'new' Econet area).

Mmmm, potentially heavy load stuff with potentially heavy load stuff. 
Could be a recipe for trouble.


Best wishes,

Rick.

-- 
Rick Murray, eeePC901 & ADSL WiFI'd into it, all ETLAs!
BBC B: DNFS, 2 x 5.25" floppies, EPROM prog, Acorn TTX
E01S FileStore, A3000/A5000/RiscPC/various PCs/blahblah...