Fridge on same circute as computer

[Capt Fiero]

This has nothing to do with cooling using a fridge it has to do with the loud popping I get through my computer speakers when the fridge turns on.

I have a bar fridge in my bedroom. Just big enought to hold a case of coke, 12 Schmirnoff Ice's and some assorted drinks. Its really nice to be able to just reach over and grab a cold drink while never getting up from my computer. The problem is that whenever the fridge cycles on and off my computer speakers make a loud POP. Is this hurting my computer. I just got a new 4.1 souround system for my machine so it is really annoying hearing 4 speakers and a sub going POP all at once.

Any Suggestions. I was thinking about putting a UPS on the line of my computer to clean up the voltage but that is a rather pricey soloution.

[DOHCrazy]

Dude, i just got a nice UPS for 20 bucks at best buy, my friend got it for 70 before.

Those little fridges use up alot of power, ive heard of $20+ electric bills a month from them, get a UPS and youll be safe.

IMHO its well worth it.

[Capt Fiero]

I had no idea they had fallen that much in price. I may have to go and take a look at one after boxing day. The malls are way too crowded today for us up here in Canada. Hmm 20 US$ is only about 26 CDN$ damn that is cheap.

[JDXNC]

You'll need one that actually conditions the line, the cheap UPS's at that price run off the wall current and olny switch to battery power when the power is cut, so when normally running the output power will be no cleaner than without. A good UPS runs its inverter all the time off the batteries thus giving clean power while also charging the battery all the time. These are a little more expensive but they are worth it. Almost certain you won't find one to suite your needs for less than $50 Can.

[Aktunka]

To answer your question about whether or not this could be hurting your computer, the answer is that it might. I have to agree with JDXNC in that if you can't move the fridge to a different circuit then yes, you should get a UPS with built in line conditioner. I work for a company that sells point of sale and we actually require that the customer install dedicated, isolated ground circuits for them OR use line conditioners due to this sort of thing. Although it is relatively rare, you CAN get data corruption or network failures from having devices with compressors and other such things on the same circuit as your PCs.

[Capt Fiero]

Well if a cheap ups is out, I think I have found a soloution. I am going to buy a long 3 prong extenstion cord and run it into the next room that is on a diffrent circut and plug the fridge into it. That should solve the problem.

[Capt Fiero]

Well I always wanted a UPS and guess what almost fell into my lap today while I was browsing the local computer swap group. These are links to the one I just bought.



http://www.pal-tec.com/hp500VA.htm

http://www.etechshopping.com/Hp_500_va_300_watts_ups_2063.html

http://logicbox.zoovy.com/product/HPHJU88501


It is a pretty light duty UPS at only 500VA but the speaker poping has already stopped and it is kinda cool having the windows interface being able to tell me how good or bad my power is that is comming out from the wall. I had no idea that I had up to a 3v flucuation comming out of my house current.

Right now all I have is my HD and my speakers plugged into it.