Customer Reviews

Tripp Lite LC1800 1800W Line Conditioner w/ Isobar Protection 6 outlets 120V

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We have used LC-1800s since the early 1990's and have only one complaint: if one of the mechanical relays that maintain the 110-120 VAC output fails, the associated indicator light on the front of the unit will still function as usual, and the user will thus not be aware of the failure. The result is that the equipment connected to the LC-1800 will be subjected to brown-out or over-voltage conditions.

The only way we have found to monitor the proper operation of the relays is to periodically plug our LC-1800s into a 140 VAC autotransformer, attach a VOM to one of the output duplexes, and slowly turn the autotransformer voltage down from 140 to 87, watching the VOM to see that the relays engage the various secondaries on the LC-1800's transformer and thus keep the output voltage in the 110-120 VAC range.

Before we began this monitoring, the main power switch on two different LC-1800s failed due to overheating. On each unit, one of the internal relays had failed, allowing low input voltage to flow through to the load and create an over-amperage draw that exceeded the rating on the power switches.

Clean, regulated power is important for a computers, stereos, and high end video equipment. Surge protectors and UPS units do not clean the power well, they simply clip surges and spikes. High end surge protectors units filter some harmonics (harmonics are usually introduced by motors, furnaces, Air Conditioners, freezers, etc).

A Line Conditioner corrects for high and low voltage, and cleans the voltage.

I own a few LC1800s to solve pesky problems.

A friend's computer, which was connected to a UPS, would turn off after 6 to 48 hours. The computer did not have this problem when it was at a different location. I took the computer and ran stress tests for four days with no problems. He took it home and it turned off within two days. I loaned him home an LC1800 and he has not had a problem in two weeks.

A computer at The Ohio State University failed every six months. We added an LC1800 and the computer ran continuously for more than three years with no problems.

I have a dedicated line from my breaker box to my computer and I still use an LC1800, which feeds my UPS. I rarely turn off or reboot my computer (unlike Windows, you can update a Linux computer without a reboot). I use one just to be safe. I still use my first LC1800 from more than ten years ago.

Although most people, including myself, probably do not require this level of power protection, it is safer. If you experiences difficult to explain behavior, be certain to try one of these units.

I assume this model does the job it is intended to do, but when I hooked it up to my desktop computer and peripherals, I found it also emits a hum that is annoying (to me, at any rate) and is louder than the fan noise from my computer. I was informed by a company rep that this hum is normal. It's unacceptable to me, so I returned the unit.

This is an excellent power conditioner and voltage stabilizer,all in one.This unit can protect your sensitive high end audio system,computers,and video moniters,from....Everyday,power surges,power sags,over voltages,and brown-outs.These surges, pick away at your sensitive equipment..taking years off their useful life...i own and highly recommend,this unit,

I purchased the Tripp Lite LC1800 line conditioner because I wanted the ability to provide clean AC power for household electronic items (e.g., a microwave) during power outages. I have a portable, non-inverter equipped gasoline generator. An inverter filters the power output of the generator so that a true sinewave, or computer-grade power, is available. Said electronic items require computer-grade power to function correctly. I needed a proxy for the inverter, so I decided to invest in the LC1800 based on the content of the Amazon listing, and the Tripp Lite website.

After receiving the LC1800, I read the Owner's Manual. Noted on p. 2 is the following Line Conditioner Connection Warning: "If you are connecting your Line Conditioner to a motor-powered AC generator, the generator must provide clean, filtered computer-grade output."

It's my considered opinion that the aforementioned connection warning is really at odds with the ostensible mission of a line conditioner. This is particularly true when reading the ad copy evident on Amazon and especially the manufacturer's own website. The connection warning noted above should be advertised/disclosed in advance, wherever possible, so that potential consumers can make fully informed purchase decisions. That is the point of this review.

Prior to writing this review, I did contact Tripp Lite to confirm the line conditioner's incompatibility with AC gas generators. Tripp Lite replied in the affirmative. They advised me that "using this unit in an application that it was not designed for/supports (means that) you run the risk of it not working or significantly altering the performance of your equipment."

Again, the requirement that a line conditioner be powered exclusively by clean power is not something that the average consumer would know through intuition alone.

I've no doubt that these line conditioners do serve to protect sensitive electronic equipment, within the relatively narrow scope of their operational abilities. My rating and review should be viewed as a critique that is focused on and limited to the current non-disclosure of a material operating limitation of Tripp Lite line conditioners. I have returned the LC1800 to Amazon for a refund.

You think it'll never happen to you. You think you're buying a line conditioner because the electricity in your area has a tendency to fluctuate and those fluctuations over time are murder on electronic equipment.

Then, unbeknownst to you, the electric company stops trimming trees on private property and your pine tree wears through your neutral wire and all hell breaks loose. The TV explodes. After the surge, the whole house goes into a severe brown out. You trip the main circuit breaker to keep your house from burning down.

Every piece of electronic equipment NOT on the Tripp Lite is fried--TV's, VCR's, CD-players, printers, microwave, photocopier. Everything on the Tripp Lite survives. The Tripp Lite does not--it sacrifices itself for the computers, large printers and other electronics plugged into it.

So, I've bought two replacements for the one I had. Now EVERYTHING electronic is plugged into a Tripp Lite.

And, yes, the smooth electricity over the years has extended the life of my computers.

A Tripp Lite is cheap insurance, especially at Amazon's price. I paid a lot more for my first one, may it rest in peace.

I live in a 48 year old house with absolutely terrible wiring. Stereo systems, computers, and the flat panel TV using these line conditioners have all continued to work flawlessly. I've had multiple electronics failures where I haven't used it.

It does make an audible clicking noise when the line voltages drop or surge. The sound makes me feel warm, fuzzy, and protected.

I get a constant supply of power now to my connected equipment, even when the power "flickers". If you experience brief "flickering" of your power due to your household AC unit or just the power company, you are going to want this.

This is a must have piece of equipment for anyone interested in protecting their expensive electronic equipment. Living in a city on the east coast I assume I had fairly clean and constant electricity. I was using a surge protector on a regular basis but they do nothing but protect your equipment from a spike. After losing a 36" TV years ago a electrician recommended I get a Tripp. Line conditioners actually take in variable current and output a constant current. So during brownouts, etc the power out of this unit is constant. 10 years later I have had three of these. This unit I've used for 5 years. There isn't much to say on installation. Plug it in, plug your equipment into the back. A led light display shows you the units status. Yellow mean the current is 10v low and the unit has kicked in and is correcting. You can hear a small click when the unit switches up and down. Some people report hearing a hum but mine you'd have to be within 2 feet to hear it. I was surprised how many times my unit corrects the current. Wife or neighbor plugs in a electric leaf blower --click current drops, unit goes on. Rain storm -click. Surprisingly there are also a number of times when power is too high and the unit modulates it down. I'd say 2-3 times a week. The good news is I've not lost another piece of equipment.

This product was a replacement for an older one of the same specs... After updating my home theater system, I realised that my old Tripp was now 10+ years old, oops. I liked that the new Tripp has a flush mounted power plug compared to my older one. The old Tripp has now moved over to sit between the wall socket and my apc for my computer... why not the old Tripp still works great and my apc is my final protection for my computer anyways, just nice having a clean (noise free) source of constant power to the APC.