Kill a Watt(tm) power meters

Posted by zxcvbob on October 25, 2009, 12:16 am

Anybody familiar with them? Is the "EZ" (model P4460) worth an
extra $15 over model P4400?

I want to see how much electricity my freezers, TV sets, computers,
etc are *really* using, plus check the frequency stability of my
portable generator and that little inverter than I mounted in my truck.

Thanks,
Bob

Posted by Ed Pawlowski on October 25, 2009, 12:49 am

> Anybody familiar with them? Is the "EZ" (model P4460) worth an extra $15
> over model P4400?
> I want to see how much electricity my freezers, TV sets, computers, etc
> are *really* using, plus check the frequency stability of my portable
> generator and that little inverter than I mounted in my truck.
> Thanks,
> Bob

You may want to get on the Lee Valley mailing list. They had that model as
a special last week (now sold out) for $20.
www.leevalley.com

Posted by HeyBub on October 25, 2009, 7:47 am

zxcvbob wrote:

> Anybody familiar with them? Is the "EZ" (model P4460) worth an
> extra $15 over model P4400?
> I want to see how much electricity my freezers, TV sets, computers,
> etc are *really* using, plus check the frequency stability of my
> portable generator and that little inverter than I mounted in my
> truck.

The "EZ" has two enhanced features over the basic model:

1. You can enter your KWH rate and it will tell you how much - in dollars
and cents - the reading cost, and
2. Has a battery backup so it doesn't reset when the power goes off.

If you don't know how to multiply, or do not have access to a calculator, #1
may be necessary. If you want to accumulate readings over a power outage
situation, #2 might be a help.

Neither "enhancement" seems useful for the needs you have.

Posted by KC on October 27, 2009, 11:19 pm

> zxcvbob wrote:

> > Anybody familiar with them? =A0Is the "EZ" (model P4460) worth an
> > extra $15 over model P4400?
> > I want to see how much electricity my freezers, TV sets, computers,
> > etc are *really* using, plus check the frequency stability of my
> > portable generator and that little inverter than I mounted in my
> > truck.

> The "EZ" has two enhanced features over the basic model:
> 1. You can enter your KWH rate and it will tell you how much - in dollars
> and cents - the reading cost, and
> 2. Has a battery backup so it doesn't reset when the power goes off.
> If you don't know how to multiply, or do not have access to a calculator,=

> may be necessary. If you want to accumulate readings over a power outage
> situation, #2 might be a help.
> Neither "enhancement" seems useful for the needs you have.

Posted by Ed Pawlowski on October 28, 2009, 5:54 am

I guess I'm missing something here. They give you some data, but
other than curiosity, what usefullness does that data serve. Plug a
refrig into one and learn it uses x kw and costs x $ per month. But
there ain't a darn thing you can do about it except buy a new frig.
Ditto for all the other appliances you have in your home. Yeah, I can
see figuring what loads you can put on a generator, but other than
that, what 'useful' data do they provide?

KC

***********************************************************************

The refrigerator has to stay running, but other appliances do not. I guess
the main purpose is awareness. Watching the meter on the room AC, you map
decide that keeping the bedroom at 75 is cheaper than going for 62. Or
running a computer 24/7 when it is rarely used is costly. And yes, it may
help you decide that a new refrigerator can pay for itself with saving over
time.

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