MrMcGoo Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 High winds set records locally with 77 mph gusts. Many large trees came down on power lines. My breaker for the 20 amp circuit to my home theater was tripped. It reset, but tripped again the moment I switched my Panamax 4400 to on. I moved all power cords to my Panamax 5100. All equipment survived except the 4400 which protected all 4 of my amps. The big question is do I get a replacement under warranty or do I get a series type 20 amp surge protector? I like the Panamax feature the shuts the system down at about 138 volts. Supressors let such voltages through and do not clamp till 330 volts or more. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytubepower Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 I would get it replaced under warranty sell it on ebay or to me then buy the series 20 For ever your loyal servent CTP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spkrdctr Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Bill, Where do you live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 What a glowing review of a piece of equipment...did EXACTLY what it was intended to do...get another under warranty and hook it back the way you had...good to know...(panamax MAX 5100 owner here, too Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picky Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Bill: I am sorry for your misfortune, but it appears your Panamax did its job: It sacrificed itself in order to save your equipment. A great testimony to answer the question: "Are Line conditioners worth all the hype?" In this case: HELL YES! Thanks for sharing, Bill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted June 23, 2005 Author Share Posted June 23, 2005 I live near Spokane Washington. We live in a pine forrest on Long Lake. Big trees put many lines down. Live 440 volt (or higher?) lines were sparking on the ground and on a metal roof. When Avista re-energized the line a day later, they started a small forrest fire near my home. There is nothing like a little excitement from a fire in a pine forest around your home. I have to admit that I was very relieved that all of my amps and other gear came up flawlessly except the Panamax. The Panamax 4400 is a 20 amp model designed specifically to protect amps and not limit their power in any way under a normal load. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 I too use a Panamax 5100 and it serves me well. My amps pull too much current turning on sometimes and it trips the ground fault and I have to unplug it and replug it in to reset it. I love the trigger feature, I turn on my preamp, it turns on the 5100 and everything else. Sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 The MOV's in your unit protected your equipment. Just get another one and be happy. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted June 23, 2005 Author Share Posted June 23, 2005 The Panamax 4400 allegedly uses capacitors for protection. I opened the box and there was not much of anything in there. I have decided to switch brands. The Panamaxes died too easily IMO. The new equipment measures both voltage and amperage. My whole system at idle draws 4.2 amps for three huge transformers plus several smaller power supplies. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 ---------------- On 6/23/2005 9:40:25 PM MrMcGoo wrote: I have decided to switch brands. ---------------- TICE OR PS AUDIO!!! YEA, YOU KNOW YOU WANT ONE! (so do I) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted June 25, 2005 Author Share Posted June 25, 2005 Well, I'm back up and running. sound quality has improved. There are many additional detaled background sounds that have reappeared. Minn_male_42 was always against MOV base surge supressors. His complaint was that they wear out too soon. Add to that the fact that they gradually deteriorate over time and degrade sound quality! It has happened with two Panamaxes in a row. Other MOV based supressors down line have not been affected. Apparently, they have been protected by the first unit in the series. If you do buy a MOV based supressor, the higher the joule rating the longer it is likely to last. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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