Posted by Mark Fields on July 22, 2007, 10:49 am
Using my P4400 Kill-a-watt I measured the power usage on our garage door
opener. The Door opener is a Craftsman Model 139.53964SRT, 1/2 horsepower
with a drive belt (not chain). For the lights in the opener I use (2)
General Electric PLG138SAMS-FTCP bulbs (11 watt Compact Flourescent).
The measurements were taken for a week and I count that the door opener was
used 30 to 40 times in the week (at least three times each day).
The usage was 1.18 kwH for 6.96 days. Annual usage would be about 62 kwH.
Mark
PS- now measuring the refrigerator.
Posted by Vaughn Simon on July 22, 2007, 2:45 pm
> PS- now measuring the refrigerator.
That is a good choice. When conserving electricity, look first at the
things that are on for the longest time. That means your refrigerator, your
lamps, and probably your heating/AC. For example; you can probably safely
forget your toaster since it probably only runs for a few minutes a week.
Vaughn
Posted by Neon John on July 23, 2007, 3:45 pm
wrote:
>> That is a good choice. When conserving electricity, look first at the
>> things that are on for the longest time. That means your refrigerator,
>> your lamps, and probably your heating/AC.
>When it's time to hook up the Kill-a-Watt to the furnace, for the furnace
>I'll have to hook up the blower motor somehow to measure the electric used
>for the forced air. For the A/C it's 220V so I don't know how I'll do that.
The 120 volt furnace is easy. Make up a Jesus cord (plug on one end, alligator
clips
on the other. Plug the KAW into an outlet or extension cord and plug the Jesus
cord
into the KAW. Open the breaker to the furnace and clip the Jesus cord leads to
the
power input terminals. Operate furnace normally.
For the 240 volt loads,
http://www.neon-john.com/Misc/Energy_Audit.htm
The utility meter will cost you no more than $30, usually a lot less. Surplus
inventory is sold from many stores on the net. The meter base may add another
$30.
Don't get a big one like I show in the photo - those were given to me - get a
small
100 amp/CT meter base. Round and about the same diameter as the meter.
This same meter (as long as it is a mechanical meter) can be used
interchangeably for
120 and 240 volt circuits. It doesn't lose its memory when the power blips and
is
inherently very accurate.
John
--
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.johndearmond.com <-- best little blog on the net!
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables!
Posted by nicksanspam on July 23, 2007, 4:27 pm
>The 120 volt furnace is easy. Make up a Jesus cord (plug on one end,
>alligator clips on the other...
How's your 120 V bulb doing at 240 with a series diode?
Nick
Posted by wmbjkREMOVE on July 23, 2007, 3:50 pm
On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:49:45 -0400, "Mark Fields"
>Using my P4400 Kill-a-watt I measured the power usage on our garage door
>opener. The Door opener is a Craftsman Model 139.53964SRT, 1/2 horsepower
>with a drive belt (not chain). For the lights in the opener I use (2)
>General Electric PLG138SAMS-FTCP bulbs (11 watt Compact Flourescent).
>The measurements were taken for a week and I count that the door opener was
>used 30 to 40 times in the week (at least three times each day).
>The usage was 1.18 kwH for 6.96 days. Annual usage would be about 62 kwH.
I just checked mine. Idle with lights off (safety circuit only) - 3W,
or .5kWh per week. So the "wasted" portion of an opener's consumption
might cost a grid customer about a nickel per week, which is about a
half-day's production for some off-gridders.
Wayne
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