Storm fried my stuff.

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skykeys
skykeys Posts: 102
edited July 2008 in Electronics
A thunder storm last week came through, which is nothing new. But this time, a lightening strike must have been very close to my house, because it ended up damaging my receiver, DVD player, laptop, cable modem, router, cordless phone, electronic dog fence unit, and a programmable outside light controller. There is no evidence that I took a direct hit, but it must have been very close and come up through the ground.

My beloved and trusted Yamaha RV-V620 is partially damaged, enough so that it must be replaced. Odd that it isn't completely fried, but only two (front left and right) of the 5 channels work. Also the effects processor is damaged, so that some settings still work (on the two working channels), but some other effects send a very weakened and limited signal. So, it's beat. My Denon 1920 only plays regular CDs, but won't send a video signal to the TV. The TV and Cable box still work fine. Fortunately my Sony Bravia seems to have come out okay.

I did have my cable modem and router plugged into a surge protector, but that doesn't seem to have prevented damage. My stereo equipment was not protected. I went out this weekend and picked up a Belkin 4300 Joule "Home Theater" surge protector, which will be used when I rebuild my system. Hopefully this is a good one.

For anyone who has seen my previous posts regarding amps, I was eventually going to replace the Yamaha receiver with separates anyway, but I was not planning on doing it this soon. My time table has been moved up obviously. :(

My constraint is, my cabinet will accept only 15" of depth. This is not going to change, so it is a given. I have found Class D amps (Nuforce, D-Sonic, Rotel) that will fit the size restriction. But I have not yet found a preamp / AV processor that will work. Of course at this point, I might as well try to find something that supports the new HD lossless audio standards. If anyone has any suggestions, I will be much obliged. (I do have the option of removing the back of the cabinet to gain a couple of inches, but this will be an absolute last resort, because it really won't fly with the Mrs.)

Thanks.
Speakers:
. 5.2 surround config:
. . . In-wall L & R Fronts and Center: Polk LC265i, LCi-RTS-C. In-ceiling L & R rears: Polk LC80i
. . . Floor Subs: Polk DSWPro 500, Paradigm PDR-10
. Zone B: very old pair of Polk M 5's
. In Storage but still favored: Paradigm Monitors

AVR:
. Yamaha RX-V863

Universal DVD:
. Oppo DV-980H

TV:
. Sony Bravia XBR LCD 40" 720P (2005 vintage)
. Comcast Cable, Motorola box
Post edited by skykeys on
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited July 2008
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    Does home insurance cover lightning damage to property? - Sorry about your losses. On the bright side - you have a chance to upgrade/start over with the benefit of hindsight. Don't just run out and replace everything (unless you really liked exactly what you had) plan out the replacements and have fun with it.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • hockeyboy
    hockeyboy Posts: 1,428
    edited July 2008
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    If you have 2 channels working it might have just blown one of the fuses. Be sure to check that.
    My Main Gear
    Mitsu HC5000 (Proj.)
    Marantz SR8001 (AVR)
    Sunfire TGA7200 (AMP)
    Marantz DV7001 (SACD)
    Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-Ray
    LSi 15's (Front)
    LSiC (Center)
    LSiFx (Surrounds)
    DUAL SVS 20-39 CS Plus     (Passive Subs)
    Marantz IS201 I-Pod Dock[/SIZE]
    Panamax M5300EX
    Carada Criterion 106" Brightwhite Screen
    Sunfire TGA 5200 & (4) B&W 605's in the party room
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  • skykeys
    skykeys Posts: 102
    edited July 2008
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    hockeyboy wrote: »
    If you have 2 channels working it might have just blown one of the fuses. Be sure to check that.

    Doh! Thanks Hockeyboy, I hadn't thought of that. I'll check it out, and let you know.

    Regards.
    Speakers:
    . 5.2 surround config:
    . . . In-wall L & R Fronts and Center: Polk LC265i, LCi-RTS-C. In-ceiling L & R rears: Polk LC80i
    . . . Floor Subs: Polk DSWPro 500, Paradigm PDR-10
    . Zone B: very old pair of Polk M 5's
    . In Storage but still favored: Paradigm Monitors

    AVR:
    . Yamaha RX-V863

    Universal DVD:
    . Oppo DV-980H

    TV:
    . Sony Bravia XBR LCD 40" 720P (2005 vintage)
    . Comcast Cable, Motorola box
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2008
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    skykeys wrote: »
    (I do have the option of removing the back of the cabinet to gain a couple of inches, but this will be an absolute last resort, because it really won't fly with the Mrs.)

    How often does she look back there? :D

    I had two nasty storms roll through here today, even though everything is on surge suppression units, I still run around and unplug everything. Better safe than sorry.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • jammer4444
    jammer4444 Posts: 36
    edited July 2008
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    My gear has been fried before, my cabinet was smoking, what a piss off. I purchased a "surge protector" that you place next to your electrical panel. You hard wire it to its own breaker and your whole electrical panel now runs through it. As soon as its hooked up you are covered up to 20 g's for any damage to anything in your house, appliances, computer, etc. It was a little expensive ($400) but worth it.
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  • skykeys
    skykeys Posts: 102
    edited July 2008
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    jammer4444 wrote: »
    My gear has been fried before, my cabinet was smoking, what a piss off. I purchased a "surge protector" that you place next to your electrical panel. You hard wire it to its own breaker and your whole electrical panel now runs through it. As soon as its hooked up you are covered up to 20 g's for any damage to anything in your house, appliances, computer, etc. It was a little expensive ($400) but worth it.

    Thanks for the info Jammer. I'll look into it.
    Speakers:
    . 5.2 surround config:
    . . . In-wall L & R Fronts and Center: Polk LC265i, LCi-RTS-C. In-ceiling L & R rears: Polk LC80i
    . . . Floor Subs: Polk DSWPro 500, Paradigm PDR-10
    . Zone B: very old pair of Polk M 5's
    . In Storage but still favored: Paradigm Monitors

    AVR:
    . Yamaha RX-V863

    Universal DVD:
    . Oppo DV-980H

    TV:
    . Sony Bravia XBR LCD 40" 720P (2005 vintage)
    . Comcast Cable, Motorola box
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  • pmckeealaska
    pmckeealaska Posts: 808
    edited July 2008
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    If your equipment was plugged into any "covered" equipment like a monster power conditioner, it may be covered under warranty.
    Music and Movie Rig

    Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
    LSi25 Front Speakers
    LSiC Center Channel
    LSiFX Surrounds
    Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
    NAD T763 Reciever
    Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player
    Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
    Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
    Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
    Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
    Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
    Playstation 3 120GB Slim
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited July 2008
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    pmckeealaska wrote: »
    If your equipment was plugged into any "covered" equipment like a monster power conditioner, it may be covered under warranty.

    I second this. Most reputable companies will have some sort of protection guarantee on their equipment.
    Jake
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  • demaples
    demaples Posts: 266
    edited July 2008
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    Does your power company offer whole house surge protection? Progress Energy offers it at the meter for an initial charge of $44.95 and $5.95 monthly after that.

    Hitachi 50" Plasma full HD 1080--Onkyo 805 AVR
    Rotel RMB-1077 amp--Polk LSic center
    Polk LSi25 fronts--Polk LSi 15 rears
    Genesis G-2800 sides--Polk PSW 650 sub
    APC H15 power conditioner--Netgear digital media player
    Napster external hardrive--Linksys Wireless G router
    Samsung DVD--Blue Jeans wires
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  • seeclear
    seeclear Posts: 1,244
    edited July 2008
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    McLoki wrote: »
    Does home insurance cover lightning damage to property?


    Ours did a few years ago (AllState), but since we had only been with them a few months, they immediately cancelled us!:eek: They told us they would and we figured it was cheaper to get a new insurer than to replace our stuff out of pocket.
    "Don't forget to change your politician. They are like diapers they need to be changed regularly, and for the same reason."
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  • skykeys
    skykeys Posts: 102
    edited July 2008
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    seeclear wrote: »
    Ours did a few years ago (AllState), but since we had only been with them a few months, they immediately cancelled us!:eek: They told us they would and we figured it was cheaper to get a new insurer than to replace our stuff out of pocket.

    I am working on an insurance claim now. I have State Farm. After a $500 deductible, I don't think I'll see a lot. But I'll let you all know what happens.

    The laptop belongs to my employer, and they sent me a replacement. It's covered by them. The cable modem belongs to Comcast, (I rent it), and they replaced it already. In this case, renting over buying happened to work out.

    In terms of the warranty issue, my stereo equipment was not plugged into a surge protector. It was an oversight on my part. I wanted to use one, but "stuff" happened and I didn't get it set up the way I wanted.

    As I mentioned previously, I just bought what I think is a good Belkin unit, with 4300 Joule protection, and a warranty that says it will cover up to $25,000, I think. My new equipment (when I figure out what that will be), will definitely be plugged into it.

    Thanks for everyone's help and insights. I'll keep you posted.

    Regards.
    Speakers:
    . 5.2 surround config:
    . . . In-wall L & R Fronts and Center: Polk LC265i, LCi-RTS-C. In-ceiling L & R rears: Polk LC80i
    . . . Floor Subs: Polk DSWPro 500, Paradigm PDR-10
    . Zone B: very old pair of Polk M 5's
    . In Storage but still favored: Paradigm Monitors

    AVR:
    . Yamaha RX-V863

    Universal DVD:
    . Oppo DV-980H

    TV:
    . Sony Bravia XBR LCD 40" 720P (2005 vintage)
    . Comcast Cable, Motorola box
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited July 2008
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    That why I have actual surge protectors on my stuff not saying you didnt but a lot of people mistake power strips for surge protectors.
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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  • mule
    mule Posts: 282
    edited July 2008
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    here is a cool little gizmo...

    http://www.tytewadd.com/info.php
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  • stuwee
    stuwee Posts: 1,508
    edited July 2008
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    You also might want to check local TV and Radio stations in your area, most are upgrading to digital formats and, that means new equipment. My roomies an EE/TE we have a house full of Tripp Lite's and stuff, all free, saved from the landfill. Just ask real nice, Cables and interconnects too.

    Craig
    Thorens TD125MKII, SME3009,Shure V15/ Teac V-8000S, Denon DN-790R cass, Teac 3340 RtR decks, Onix CD2...Sumo Electra Plus pre>SAE A1001 amp>Martin Logan Summit's
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  • grif32
    grif32 Posts: 267
    edited July 2008
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    jammer4444 wrote: »
    My gear has been fried before, my cabinet was smoking, what a piss off. I purchased a "surge protector" that you place next to your electrical panel. You hard wire it to its own breaker and your whole electrical panel now runs through it. As soon as its hooked up you are covered up to 20 g's for any damage to anything in your house, appliances, computer, etc. It was a little expensive ($400) but worth it.

    Dang $400?? Wow. We sell 2 different one's here.

    One for 27,000 amps - Around $50.00 Snaps in like a breaker

    One for 60,000 amps - Around $100.00 - Mounts next to panel and wire to a seperate breaker.

    $400 seems very extreme. But I would also recommend doing it this way instead of Surge Protectors at the outlets.
    (3) PS3's, Xbox 360, (2) Wii's and Nintendo NES
    (2) Panny DMPBDT110 3D Standalone Players
    Panny 60" 3D Plasma TC-60ST30
    Panny 50" Plasma TC-P50G10
    Panny 50" 3D TV TC-P50GT25
    Denon AVR-891
    Harmoney One Remote
    Polk Monitor 70's,Polk CS2, Polk Monitor 40's
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