On 2009-05-21, sublemon sublemon wrote:
Good evening all, I am in the process of researching a Line
Filter/Conditioner or in more general terms a Mains filter. I got
this idea when I saw Best Buy charging $149USD for one.

Here is a link for one such device...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....1533362 98823

Something a little more pricey...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....1695121 07216

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Schematics for a similar device, this is the one I refer to below.

http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/surge.htm

Another link for a similar device...

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/nuukspot/...nditioner.html

So, I found the above website with basic schematics and a shopping
list for such a device. I mildly understand the science behind this
and feel confident building such a simple device. I do have some
questions though.

1.) I can't find the exact inductors that are mentioned in the page,
at least none in stock. I have found other Inductors that are
similar but have different uH ratings.

For instance he recommends 50uH @ 15A inductors, and I have found 56uH
@ 10.2A. I understand that I can't put any more than 10A current or
~1100W of power on this circuit but... Will this provide the same
filtering as the recommended versions? More over, if it will or will
not can you point me in the direction of an explanation?

the device pictured is for a 240V system, for 120V different MOVs
should be used. possibly different inductors too, I've not thought
that much through.

2.) Will either of these devices help produce a conditioned and/or
constant voltage at 120V? I'm sure I am talking crazy but this is
what the sales guy was feeding me at the store.

No, these devices do not regulate the voltage, they only remove very
short-term fluctuations from it. anthing that can be measured in
milliseconds (eg the voltage dip when you turn on a vacuum cleaner, or
circular saw) will get through.
and if the supply voltage is high or low the output will not be
noticeably better.