Kill-A-Watt P3 meter

[mtrycrafts]

Another toy to play with
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=82-715-001-09.jpg&Image=82-715-001-05.jpg,82-715-001-06.jpg,82-715-001-07.jpg,82-715-001-08.jpg,82-715-001-09.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16882715001&Depa=0&Description=P3 International P4400 Kill A WATT Electricity Load Meter and Monitor

Plug your power bar into it and see how much your gear draws in standby mode, or when everything is on

Or, your sub, washer, dryer, whatever.
It shows volts, amps, watts, VA, Hz, power factor, and watt hour. A neat gadget for not much , less than $25 delivered from Amazon. And, it is accurate, according to Consumer Reports.
Fun to play with it.

 

[jamie2112]

Thats a very cool little toy. I have been wondering what my gear actually draws as well as my fridge and water heater...

 

[Adam]

My question is this: does it limit the current draw at all?

Yeah, yeah - it's probably in the manual.

 

[WmAx]

I will recommend this item, also. It has been tested by a 3rd party under lab conditions, and it is incredibly accurate for true power draw of reactive loads.

-Chris

 

[ChunkyDark]

I've had mine about a year (previous model) and it's been fun and informative. I cut the power draw of my plasma by almost half without much loss of brightness. Without it I'm not sure I would have set it so low since I wouldn't have realized the difference it makes.

The first thing I would recommend testing is your fridge. They tend it be the biggest user in most homes. The new ones are much more efficient. Many cost less than 50 bucks a year to run where older ones can draw many times that.
Also, try testing out that computer you leave on all day. Some of them aren't as asleep as we think

 

[mtrycrafts]

My question is this: does it limit the current draw at all?

Yeah, yeah - it's probably in the manual.

Not much of a manual and I doubt it would limit current as most likely it has a non-limiting sensor

 

[mtrycrafts]

I will recommend this item, also. It has been tested by a 3rd party under lab conditions, and it is incredibly accurate for true power draw of reactive loads.

-Chris

It's amazing to find out how much some gear draws in standby mode, x 24hs/day x 30 days a month Every little bit adds up.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I've had mine about a year (previous model) and it's been fun and informative.

And, you didn't share with us gadget hounds?

I cut the power draw of my plasma by almost half without much loss of brightness. Without it I'm not sure I would have set it so low since I wouldn't have realized the difference it makes.

...
Also, try testing out that computer you leave on all day. Some of them aren't as asleep as we think

That is what I was going to mention; times 24hrs, x 30 days. All adds up. Times how many in the country, just for that one item.

 

[ChunkyDark]

There was a segment on NPR the other day (and yes i was driving my prius, and yes sometimes stereotypes are true) anyway they were saying with the steady price drop in LCD picture frames soon most people in the states will soonhave one (or three). Even with their low power draw it would require building four 250megawatt generators to power them all.

 

[ChunkyDark]

And, you didn't share with us gadget hounds?

I needed something to feel smug about later.

 

[10010011]

My question is this: does it limit the current draw at all?

Why would it limit the current?

 

[mtrycrafts]

... they were saying with the steady price drop in LCD picture frames soon most people in the states will soonhave one (or three). Even with their low power draw it would require building four 250megawatt generators to power them all.

Well, this meter showed me that my old TV, a 27" CRT draws about 60 watts, very surprised. A new LCD about 37" will be about 200 watts +/-, I think I may need a part time job