Bits LTD customer service sucks @ss!!!

[M3talhead]

Ok. I recieved my Bits LTD Smart Strip (model LCG4) and have been having issues. Let me first explain my cabinet wiring scheme.

European apartments carry 230v natively w/ 40A breakers, and since I have all 115v stuff inside the arcade I have the following:

1. A single 1000w transformer stepping 230v down to 115v
2. 115v Bits LTD Smart Strip plugged into the transformer, nothing else.

When the power switch on the transformer is flipped to "On" (nothing plugged into it), its fine. When just the strip is plugged in, the livingroom circuit breakers trip (even though the strip is in the "off" position). Before installing the LCG4 in the cab, I had a normal power strip coming off the same transformer providing juice to the monitor, PC, and speakers WITHOUT any problems.

This led me to believe that there was some sort of problem with the powerstrip itself. I called the 2 numbers they had listed on their website for "Customer Service", and a woman picked up on the other end. I asked her a few questions about the LCG4's specifications and explained to her what was happening when I turned the power strip on. After a few seconds of silence, she asked "Sir, have you called the right number? This is Bits LTD." I said, yes, I realize who I've called and just had a few simple questions about the power strip I purchased last week. When I asked if there was a technician I could speak with, she said "No". When I asked if any would be around soon, she said "I dont know". I then politely asked when the best time to reach one would be. She said......"I dont know".

This person then informs me that they are simply there to collect a customer's problem information and phone number, and pass it on to "someone" who will get in touch with me "sometime". Well damn, I could have done that with email if I wanted to play tag-you're-it.

Bits LTD doesnt have an actual customer service desk. They employ people to answer phones and piss you off in record times.




Anyone here have an LCG4 with these issues?

[currygoat11]

I corresponded via email with a helpful person Russell Barton(smartstrip@bitsltd.net) and he provided me a replacement strip. Try emailing him. He should respond in a few days from my experience.

[M3talhead]

I corresponded via email with a helpful person Russell Barton(smartstrip@bitsltd.net) and he provided me a replacement strip. Try emailing him. He should respond in a few days from my experience.

Thanks. I got that guy's email addy a few minutes ago from Kevin @ Retroblast. I shot him an email, so we'll see what happens. 

[Timoe]

I also emailed russell barton and he gave me great info.

[jcrouse]

I had two old ones without the resistance pot on the side. I called them up and they replaced them with the newer, adjustable, model with no questions ask. There phone service has always been very ggod for me. I think I've called them 3 or 4 times but that was almost a year ago.

John

[richms]

The 40 amp breaker is most likly to be an RCD one, and if thats tripping it means that the smart strip is leaking to earth. Is the transformer you are using an isolating one or a cheap autotransformer type? American gear seems to take all sorts of liberties with the ground connection, I have seen capacitors and all sorts connecting to it so that would easily cause leakage, but if the transformers an isolating one it shouldnt matter as there would be no leakage from the 220 side.

[M3talhead]

The 40 amp breaker is most likly to be an RCD one, and if thats tripping it means that the smart strip is leaking to earth. Is the transformer you are using an isolating one or a cheap autotransformer type? American gear seems to take all sorts of liberties with the ground connection, I have seen capacitors and all sorts connecting to it so that would easily cause leakage, but if the transformers an isolating one it shouldnt matter as there would be no leakage from the 220 side.

Its an autotransformer. Is there anything else I can do, short of buying a new 1000w brick? The company that makes it is the only one around here stores will carry. I really dont want to have to go back to using the mess of power splitters I had before. The whole reason I bought the Smart Strip is so I could just tur everything on with one switch.

[richms]

Not really much you can do, if the smart strip is leaking that much to ground in my opinion its a faulty design.

See if you can get a building site transformer, I know they are common as anything in the UK because all proper building sites use 110v isolated with a center tapped ground. They have a big yellow ceeform output on them so you would need to chop a plug off something else and put that on. I dont know how having the 110v show as 2 legs of 55v to ground would affect the smart strip with there interesting treatment of the ground.

One more thought, your not running it thru a 2 pin to 3 pin adaptor are you? I saw one that tied the netural and earth together for some crazy reason.