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Static electricity....again

Ok, I'm ready to burn the house down and move to Florida. I had a similar problem last winter. I live in Colorado and it's been snowing here like crazy. It is super dry here. My brother fried two pre amps last winter due to lightning bolts flying from his fingers to his pre amp anytime he touched the pre amp...

So here's what I have going on. I have all of my cables lifted off the ground with wooden blocks. My Equipment is plugged into a ps audio quintet, except for my amp which is plugged directly into the wall (porter port).

I don't have any remote controllers in my set-up so whenever I touch my equipment, I ground myself on a screw on the light switch first. I'll have so much electricity built up in my body that I can actually feel the hairs on my legs stand up when I do this.

Okay, well it has gotten to be so bad now that when I am just walking across the room, I can hear a few small pops coming out of my speakers. These are directly related to the static that is building up via my socks dragging across the carpet. I'm %100 sure of that.

My question is, what the heck do I do to remedy this problem before I damage any of my equipment? My house is probably 20 years old. Am I having these issues because the ground in my house is no good?

Btw, last winter when I was having these issues, I sprayed fabric softener all over and that seemed to work for, oh, about 20 minutes.

I'm going to get a humidifier and see how that helps. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated! I'm about ready to change my user name to Zues!
128x128b_limo
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,288 posts
 
Pbn, how do we send private messages? Can't figure it out...

I called madisound and got a qoute for crossovers using clarity esa caps but haven't had the funds to go through with it yet. The price was very reasonable and the gentleman (his name escapes me now) was super helpful and very professional. So, they are still mounted in the same cabinets as before (some phase tech boxes that I frankensteined) and I'm using the crossovers that came with them. They sound great but I'm sure they will sound better once I have the different crossovers and cabs.

Thanks a million for your help! By the way, I was taken aback when I stumbled upon your website and saw the speakers you build... wow! I can't tell you how much it means to me to talk first hand, and to recieve advice from you guys here. Much respect! I actually tried to start a thread with the focus on getting some of the producers of fine audio gear that are contributers here on audiogon, the recognition they deserve, but it got shot down.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestion Stereo 5!

I think I'm well on my way to getting a handle on this!
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
I second the Anti Static floor mat as long as your carpet is not a thick-pile, otherwise it may not stay flat. These mats are used in pro video and audio studios.
Or you use the old fashioned NYC tenement method...put a pot of water on the radiator.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Go small, cheap, and easy - Bounce Dryer sheets. Simply place one on top of a piece of gear and be sure to touch it before your first contact with your gear. Works like a *champ*!

-RW-
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I always recommend having a dryer sheet handy when approaching the equipment rack. But it sounds like if the spray didn't work then maybe the sheets won't either. This is a particularly nasty winter.
Pbn, how do we send private messages? Can't figure it out...
Hate to say this but, find a user friendlier forum.
schipo
1,268 posts
 
In the movie 'Man made Monster". Lon Chaney JR is pumped with large amounts of electricity. The remedy, in the movie for containing is to wear a rubber suit. No kidding aside water along with plants will do much to improve this problem.
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