Stand by

[harley1782000]

Ok everyone has machines that go on standby.  Unpluging them would save some electricty.  For me to get behind my entertainment center would require the help of the local fire department.  Could I just put the power strip on a timer so it shuts off at a certain time and comes back on in the morning?  Or would useing a timer just be the same as letting them on standby?

Jim

[stop4stuff]

Hi Jim,

I had a similar issue with my entertainment system/tv/etc, I got a 6 gang multisocket to plug everything into... the plug for the multisocket gets unplugged & no phantom loads (measured at 48w with everything turned 'off'). I also did the same for my computer systems (another 32w of phantom loads)... this also saves us about £5 off each month's electric bill.

A timer would switch off your phantom standby loads & the only electric used would be to run the timer... tho it could be a bummer if it switched off at the wrong time.

Paul

[jonas302]

They have new power strips that shut everything off when the master load shuts off so if you shut your tv off it would kill all the phantom loads  Gary at www.builtitsolar.com did a write up on them I saw one at wallmart for $26 if I remember right.

 

[harley1782000]

Thanks, I will have too look into that.  

Jim

[GaryGary]

Hi,

Here is one of those "Smart Strips" that turn everything off when the gadget that is pluged into the master outlet is turned off:

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Conservation/SmartStripTest.htm

One got ours here:

http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/SearchDetail.asp?Productid=11310&ta


We use ours to turn off all the peripherals attached to a PC when the PC goes off, but I plan to get one for our entertainment center as well.

It has worked fine for more than a year.


One thing to think about on the entertainment center is if you have one of the TIVO style video recorders, you won't be able to record at night if you shut the power off.  These things are awful power hogs -- ours uses 50 watts 24/7  -- it uses more power per year than our fridge.


Here is one that seances people:

"http://www.wattstopper.com/products/details.html?id=74">http://www.wattstopper.com/products/details.html?id=74


Gary

[TomW]

Gary;

What I wonder is do these devices work with things like most modern televisions that do not have a "hard" on / off switch?

Seems everything is wireless remote now so that circuit needs power to sense the "on" click?

Just curious if you know.

Thanks.

Tom

[harley1782000]

I am going to get one and give it a shot.  At least I will know then when I turn it off it is OFF!

Thanks for the info!!

Jim