Safe Power Down

[Peter Roat]

We all know we should properly shut down the B2 after use by pressing and holding the Play/Stop button whilst the display confirms "Saving".

With all the other regular functions available on the web UI, is it not possible for a safe power off button to be included  on the UI as well? its not that I'm too lazy to get out of the armchair, it would just be easier to remember!

[Daniel Taylor]

That would be nice.  Then, after clicking the button on the WebUI, the SAVING would be done by the time I got across the room to flip the power switch.

[Peter Roat]

Ahh, yes of course, a lot of users switch off power as well. I leave mine on standby, which I've done for the several years I've had my B2. I've got the screensaver switched on and touch wood have never had any problems not turning off power, the display is as good as new.

[Daniel Taylor]

I've had bad luck leaving electronics on all the time.  The heat literally burned the mother board in my once-favorite receiver.  And the B2 gets hot.  My two cents/pence.  To each his own.

[Mark Fishman]

Your receiver ran so hot it burned its main board? Either a truly crappy design (any number of ways), or a really bad stack of other gear.

Just my own opinion, you understand, but my rule of thumb (from years of minicomputer use) is that the inside of an electronics case runs ~10 degrees hotter than ambient, so if you aren't going to put in a fan you need to allow for convective airflow. If the designer cheaped out on componenets or cabinet space, well, 'nuff said.

As to computers the airflow is designed to be correct with the case closed. If you run a computer wqith the case open or off, be prepared for overheating. Paradoxical, I know.

-- m.

[Daniel Taylor]

Just a couple of points of clarification.  It did have what should have been enough space around it to breathe.  And it took quite a few years to get bad enough that it finally started exhibiting problems.  My mistake was listening to the audiophile press and leaving it on constantly.

[PMB]

Hi All,

I power my B2 on and off each time I use it which is most days. I usually do the 'Saving' routine but if the B2 is already in Standby I just power off.

I'll add the UI Standby idea to the wish list and make sure Martin B knows about it.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Peter Roat]

Thanks Paul

As a matter of interest, bearing in mind other comments in this thread, was the B2 designed to be left on standby? Like many other devices around the home -TV, HDD, BT box etc etc? Mine is always warm but definitely not hot. Its several years old now and works fine (apart from the odd seize up like many others experience). I've always assumed (having read it somewhere ages ago) that powering on and off regularly can actually lead to problems and components failing.

Peter

[Mark Fishman]

Computers have multiple failure modes. Capacitors dry out or leak. Hard disks have finite spindle-bearing life. Both of those can be mitigated by removing power when the equipment isn't in use. Hard power-on processes (almost nothing has voltages that "fade up" when you turn on the switch, unless you use a variable auto-transformer, a.k.a. Variac) apply considerable stress to all kinds of elecrronic components. Anything made in compliance with the RoHS [Reduction of Hazardous Substances] laws will eventually get unreliable solder joints, especially due to thermal cycling, because there's little to no lead in the solder anymore.

A good rule of thumb might be to leave electronics/computers running if you plan to use them again within the next 12-18 hours; shut them off if you won't be using them for 2 days or more, e.g., your office computer stays up overnight but gets shut down for the weekend. In between is a gray area, and the tradeoff depends on how expensive electricity or environmental control might be versus the cost of replacing the hardware, or how much you value convenience over long lifetimes.

Not a definitive answer, sorry. -- m.