rakini
I have a lightening strike take out my computer's modem, so yes unplug the computer from the phone line when there are electrical storoms
Sanurian
Greetings to you [b]suew[/b]
[quote]...In Aus it's cheaper to buy a new printer (with cartridges supplied) than to buy refills (originals)...[/quote]
That may well be the case when we're talking about "cheap" printers but I think having to buy a new printer is a rather excessive move.
[quote]...my last Epson was the one that "died" after using Calidads...[/quote]
Just a thought here: Before you diagnose your printer as "dead", do the "maintenance" stuff first. (Nozzle check, "clean print heads" but [b]don't[/b] do a "deep clean" unless absolutely necessary or your inks [b]will[/b] disappear at lightning speed.) Then check the thing again and see if it's working or not.
I hate to repeat myself unnecessarily but it's quite possible your printer is OK but the cartridge(s) has to be [b]re-set[/b]! If not, the printer will certainly appear to be dead.
Anyway - everybody is welcome to send me their "dead printers". (Just joking.)
8)
Sanurian
A very warm welcome to you [b]lientje[/b]
Not sure if you're in Bali right now or not but it's very hot and humid here lately.
I'm sure there are all kinds of ink bargains to be had through ebay but I wonder how many expats buy theirs that way? I don't, yet.
Re-filling ink cartridges in Bali seems to have taken off in a big way, especially in the last year. My own experiences have been largely positive although I've had one or two re-fills that didn't work properly. Knowing who I'm dealing with face-to-face helps a lot. I've had no problems taking back the occasional faulty re-fill and having the problem corrected at no extra charge. For me, it's better than waiting for weeks for something to arrive here and the possible questions from customs about why I'm trying to import oodles of ink cartridges.
When I started this thread recently, I had no idea what "problems" people would post about. So far, it seems that printer inks are the big go. I wonder how others are going with the "browser wars"? Microsoft's [b]IE7[/b] has been released, at long last, and as far as I can tell, it hasn't been worth the wait. I've been using Mozilla's [b]Firefox[/b] for a couple of years and personally love it. [b]Firefox 2[/b] has just been released...I installed it yesterday and so far, haven't had any problems.
8)
Sanurian
Hi [b]Freogirl[/b]
Your experience in Mataram almost brought tears to my eyes. Why didn't you talk to the guy (out the back) who knows something? Maybe your pronunciation of "USB" confused the guys in the front.
[quote]...I don't really need a battery (as in UPS) as I have a laptop. I need a power regulator...[/quote]
As long as you use your laptop's battery, no problem. But sooner or later, you [b]have[/b] to plug in to the available electricity supply to recharge your battery. A voltage regulator is essential, in my opinion, for whatever you're trying to use (refrigerator, TV, etc). Even for a UPS, if you get one.
[quote]...I'd be interested to hear opinions on UPS's, or what-ever people do to stop their gear being fried by the frequent brown-outs and unpredictable power supply. Or is that just Lombok too?...[/quote]
No, it's not just in Lombok. The power supply in Bali is quite flakey too, depending where one is.
So quite simply, it's in your best interests to have a [b]good quality[/b] "Stavolt" (voltage regulator) and a UPS.
I had a lot of equipment destroyed years ago in Bali when I had neither. Hasn't happened these days, when I have both. And as an added precaution, watch out for electrical storms...it's best practice to turn off your equipment and actually [b]unplug[/b] them from the power supply. And be careful of using telephones during storms.
:wink:
jogry blok
Welcome Lientje,
I use a pixma IP1000 no problems, use the refills to with no problems, only if I want to print photos I use the orginal colours.
Tim
That's right, a battery backup doesn't do a lot of good if you don't have anything left to "backup" but APC sells one that provides protection as well. They can be a lttle spendie though.
Best regards,
Tim
Tim
Actually an APC 350 runs about 630.000 and that's pretty reasonable. This
particular model has 3 backup and 3 surge/spike protection outlets.
Tim
FreoGirl
Forgot to say, totally agree re uplugging both from the power supply, and modem from the phone line during an electrical storm.
I learnt that one many years ago when I lost an entire semester's research when lightening hit my apartment building and my motherboard, modem and HDD got fried.
Should also unplug TVs as the TV antenae can also attract lightening strikes.
Jimbo
I wprk mine of generators via a voltage stabiliser and a UPS
DCC
Unless I'm missing something my laptop comes complete with voltage regulator - it's called a transformer, folks (hello!), and steps variable AC current down to 19.5v DC on my Dell. Besides that, I use a simple surge protector.
tintin
Sorry DCC,
A voltage regulator and a transformer are two DIFFERENT beasts.
A “voltage regulator” is an electrical regulator designed to automatically maintain a constant voltage level.
A “transformer” changes the voltage from an AC source, either up or down. It can also change an AC source to a DC source, such as in your laptop.
Not withstanding your claim, a transformer has nothing to do with a voltage regulator.
spitfire
[b]Re: RE: Using Computers in Bali[/b]
[quote=Tim]You should definitely have an UPS in front of your equipment especially with the lightning in that area. A quality UPS will "clamp down" spikes and surges.... Don't forget your electrical ground, all these factors work together.
Best regards,
Tim[/quote]
As far as I know the UPS will only supply electricity to your equipment when powers goes out. Enough time to save your work and safely switch of the computer. They are pretty expensive though and luckily we hardly have power outs, so I don't buy one.
Power surges are reduced by a Voltage Stabiliser. This one is a must, although I only use one for my computer equipment, not for fridges, tv etc. The better ones are the servo type, which actually have rotating parts inside. They handel electrical spikes better than "full electronic" ones. Sometimes I hear the servo motor handle a change in power and my systems continue as normal. I bought mine at Makro for about 350.000 and am very happy with it.
FreoGirl
[b]Re: RE: Using Computers in Bali[/b]
[quote=Sanurian]Hi [b]Freogirl[/b]
Your experience in Mataram almost brought tears to my eyes. Why didn't you talk to the guy (out the back) who knows something? Maybe your pronunciation of "USB" confused the guys in the front.
[/quote]
I can tell you, just about brought tears to my eyes too. :roll: I should clarify, I was speaking Bahasa Indonesian, "ooo ess bee" my accent is not great, but they just didn't know what I was talking about. Then they got USB and UPS mixed up :D I showed them my dead mouse which they examined with interest. Especially as it was also optical. I did talk to the guy out the back, who was able to tell me 'Tidak Ada'. Had to wait for my next trip off Lombok for that one.. my laptop doesn't take PS2, and the touchpad gets tedious when doing design work. I did notice a few months later that they had USB mouses, eventually.
I used a Volto-metre which had the servo motor, cost Rp175,000 and was the best I could get at the time. It used to whir and carry on constantly as the power went up and down. I wondered how much protection I was getting - or if it would protect me from a major spike - a friend told me that you need an electronic power conditioner to handle that sort of situation, not the mechanical motor type like I had.
The things are so damn heavy, I can't really bring one from Australia. But next time I think I will get that sort of stuff straight off from Bali.
Thanks for the advice 8)
Freo
DCC
Tin & Snr, thanks and I hear ya, which is why I asked, but pray tell if does not regulate voltage how is it able to accept variable (110v - 240v) AC input and then output a consistant DC level - that is a form of voltage regulation!
Would someone here give me a first person account of voltage variation damage to a computer or non-mechenized electrical equipment, I have a 10 year-old TV in the house that works like a charm, even my incandesent bulbs last long.
UPS - or uninterupted power supply for a laptop? It has battery back up, remember.
Tim
Line conditioning devices that combine surge protection guards against power transients, power spikes (computer killers) and power surges caused by lightning influence even miles away.
Transformer-based voltage regulation to keep voltage at a constant level.
And EMI/RFI for noise filtering.
I don't think any electrical equipment would survive a "direct lightning strike", something is going to get thru, and with computer circuits/equipment which is easily damaged, protection is crucial.
Best regards,
Tim
Tim
One thing more, cheap surge protection sounds good but like the old saying, you get what you pay for. And again, if you get a direct lightning strike, that's like God knocking at the door and he doesn't care what kind of protection you have.
Best regards,
Tim
Sanurian
Hi [b]DCC[/b]
The built-in transformer on your laptop converts your AC to DC, so you can plug your laptop into the available electricity supply (AC) without frying your laptop. That gives you zero "protection" from varying voltages, brown-outs, black-outs, lightning strikes, etc, when you're plugged into the grid (to recharge your laptop's battery or save wasting your battery by using AC). Your "simple surge protector" [b]might[/b] be good enough to prevent a disaster but if it were me, I'd look at getting something more substantial. A good voltage stabiliser and a quality UPS are essential in Indonesia, unless you enjoy being a gambler.
And as [b]tin-tin[/b] points out:
[quote]...a transformer has nothing to do with a voltage regulator...[/quote]
Even if you had a pressing need to use a transformer, which either steps voltage up or down, I'd still use a voltage stabiliser as well, to try and keep the voltage as steady as possible.
Good luck.
:roll:
DCC
I don't keep my LT plugged in when not in use - no need too, and I wouldn't be using it in a lightning storm. The AC adapter will account for a drop in voltage as it functions down to 110v.
DCC
Besides that check my avatar, ha!
InAdelaide
you can get filters to put on at the power box, same for the telephone line so if there is a power surge you only get the 240 volts and or 24v for telephone but if lightning hits it will blow the filters, if lightning hits your phone line it can blow the phone off the wall and blow your ear drums if you are using it so best not to use during storms, I think UPS and voltage regulater will give same protection if lightning hits it will blow the UPS or Regulater, best to have inline filters, voltage regulater and curcit breakers, but dont forget the telephone line
