I currently have a pair of Adcom ACE515s to provide switching and filtered power to my home theater system. They are switched on through the AC outlet on the back of my old preamp (Adcom GTP600). I am on the waiting list to order a 990, which doesn't have a switched AC plug.

Does anyone have any inexpensive suggestions for using the 12 volt triggers on the 990 to switch the ACE515s on? The only thing I can come up with is to buy a Niles AC3, which costs about 130 bucks.

This was suggested in a thread at the 950 forum. Another idea from theat thread was this .

Thanks Gonk!

The Smart Strip looks like it will be just the ticket.

I have one question, which I hope you can answer. The Smart Strip lists outlets as either "transformer" or "standard". Can you explain what that means?

LOL!

I figured it out. DOH!

They mean that a DC transformer will fit. Sometimes it helps to not overthink this stuff.

Heres another option thats half way between. About $75. http://www.xantech.com/products/p_folder/p_ac1.htm

If you are into making your own stuff I can offer the following. I use a 12 volt relay from Radio Shack that energizes a 120 volt relay that has 20 amp contacts. It is all in a big "bud box" with a standard wall plug and a big power cord plug like the one on the outlaw. The first relay has to be energized with less current that the rating of the trigger output and has to handle the current needed to energize the second relay. You need to know what you are doing and I take no responsibility if you don't. I am an Electrical Engineer so if you are not comfortable with this stuff, just buy one of the excellent solutions posted already.

As a follow up, the Smart Strip works very well. It has an ajustable trigger point, and does a good job of providing a switched AC power for those of you who might need it.

For those that want a more basic and wider ranging option, consider an SSR (solid state relay). There are many different kinds, but this will handle 25A (with a heatsink). The guy wants $7; they go for close to $30 new. I bought two and they are exactly what I needed.

bigal,
I had to make a device similar to yours.I own seven amps for my hometheater.My problem was they are older with no triggers.
I built a box that uses these surplus delay relays.I staggered the turn on times and it now turns on all my amps.One problem was the relays run on 24vdc.I had to use a 24vdc power supply to trigger the big relays.So the first relay is small, it turns on the first amp and the 24vdc power supply and then the whole thing turns on one at a time.All said and done about 100.00 .Plus the ugly box I put it in.