Dirty Mains needs sorted

D.K.

Hi,
I've had problems with PC power supplies and at one time the monitor going off and on.
All this was fixed by a large expensive external power supply with battery back up.
I've now moved an Xbox and twice had 3 red lights and, again the LCD monitor is going off and on. This has been cured by adding an extension lead which I presume is creating some capacitance and smoothing. Cheap but ugly.
I do use surge protection but it is no use.
Is there anything else I could use? I think I've found the culprit which is a deep freeze (hence the monitor going on and off ) Is there anything I can do to it perhaps, apart from giving it away or sawing it into little pieces.

Thanks,
D

kally

A couple of suggestions come to mind. Hi-fi users often buy specical power leads to clean the power going to their hi-fi components - one off these leads may do the trick. The other suggestion would be post this on the DIY page and see if anyone there can recommend something.

turbobob

Call an electrician!!

D.K.

turbobob wrote: »

Call an electrician!!

I doubt if an electrician could help with this.It flummoxed a computer expert for quite a while.
I haven't heard of these leads. Thanks Kally

fwor

I wouldn't recommend that you try "special" hi-fi mains leads - they won't do anything useful in your position. They are made of "special" materials, gold plated connectors, and extra shielding, none of which will help if your freezer is interfering with the mains.

It's possible that a mains conditioner such as those made by Isotek would help, but that won't be cheap, as their target market is mainly audiophools with loads of money.

IMO the best way to tackle it is at the source of the problem - there is obviously something wrong with the wiring and/or thermostat on the freezer and that's the thing to fix or replace.

Conor_3

D.K. wrote: »

I doubt if an electrician could help with this.It flummoxed a computer expert for quite a while.

What most computer technicians know about electricity and electronics could fit on a stamp with room to spare.
Get an electrician to have a look. If its cooking things, you've got some serious issues.

albertross_2

have you checked the lead in the back of the monitor? Your symptoms could be nothing to do with the power supply in the house.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Unplug the freezer and do not use it again until it is replaced or repaired. Anything spiking to such an extent that it can damage other devices on the same ring (or house) is obviously seriously faulty.

D.K.

Many thanks for your replies.Conor, the computer man was just confused why components kept breaking...boiled it down to the power.
Fwor & Pew Pew as well I'll take your advice and get the freezer checked but it doesn't affect anything else in the house. the problem was that we have 2 fridges and 2 freezers...and there's the washing machine, all in the room next door but I'm quite certain it is the freezer. I don't know if it can be that bad when connecting an extension lead solves the problem... anyway.
Thanks also Albertross, your right it usually is connections. They can send a man to the moon but can't make a reliable plug