appliance module on an A/V receiver?

[random735]

I have a relatively modern A/V receiver with your typical "standby"
mode, so it's always powered, listening for IR signals. Hitting the
power button the receiver itself powers it up/sends it back to standby
mode.

However, if you power it up, then unplug it, when you plug it back in,
it comes back on (instead of defaulting to standby mode).

This got me thinking that I could plug the whole receiver into an
appliance module, turn it on once, and then let the appliance module
control it from there... I realize this means that while the appliance
module is "off", i won't be able to turn the receiver on from the
remote.

My question is, is this bad for the receiver? Is it designed to be
powered on a specific way, and am I likely to damage it by surging it
everytime, by cutting/restoring the power "at the line" as it were?
Has anyone else done this w/ a device like this on a long term basis?

Part of me says it shouldn't matter, but another part feels like
essentially simulating a blackout/power-restore on a daily basis can't
really be good for sensitive electronics.....

[Art Todesco]

random735 wrote:
> I have a relatively modern A/V receiver with your typical "standby"
> mode, so it's always powered, listening for IR signals. Hitting the
> power button the receiver itself powers it up/sends it back to standby
> mode.
>
> However, if you power it up, then unplug it, when you plug it back in,
> it comes back on (instead of defaulting to standby mode).
>
> This got me thinking that I could plug the whole receiver into an
> appliance module, turn it on once, and then let the appliance module
> control it from there... I realize this means that while the appliance
> module is "off", i won't be able to turn the receiver on from the
> remote.
>
> My question is, is this bad for the receiver? Is it designed to be
> powered on a specific way, and am I likely to damage it by surging it
> everytime, by cutting/restoring the power "at the line" as it were?
> Has anyone else done this w/ a device like this on a long term basis?
>
> Part of me says it shouldn't matter, but another part feels like
> essentially simulating a blackout/power-restore on a daily basis can't
> really be good for sensitive electronics.....
>
It's probably ok, however, I can think
to 2 other possible problems.
First is the "local on" sense current
from the appliance module. It might
cause some weird effect. Then again, it
might be enough from some
switching power supplies to keep it
idling. Also, you could use a modified
module or one of the newer ones where
this feature can be turned off.
The 2nd problems that might happen is
unpowering the receiver for long
periods (weeks) might cause a loss of
memory, like for presets, etc.
Both depending on the receiver design.

[Beachcomber]

>My question is, is this bad for the receiver? Is it designed to be
>powered on a specific way, and am I likely to damage it by surging it
>everytime, by cutting/restoring the power "at the line" as it were?
>Has anyone else done this w/ a device like this on a long term basis?
>
>Part of me says it shouldn't matter, but another part feels like
>essentially simulating a blackout/power-restore on a daily basis can't
>really be good for sensitive electronics.....
>

If the receiver is not a large consumer of power, it is probably OK.

I have several X10 appliance modules in my house in line with similar
loads and I have not had a problem in the last 6 years. I also use
them to power up a Dell computer. If anything, it saves money,
because the power consumption of the device becomes zero when OFF,
instead of having it's phantom circuits remain active 24 hours a day.

In the bad old days, power supply capacitors would dry out and have
short lives, but modern electronics have improved component
reliability. Just applying power to a device does not necessarily
result in a power surge, and it is less likely still that that device
would be damaged by this.

Beachcomber

[random735]

> If the receiver is not a large consumer of power, it is probably OK.

well it's got a 500 watt amp, how are you defining large?

(of course that amp is not drawing 500 watts the moment it is powered
on, presumably)