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Kill-a-watt results - garage door opener
Date: Sun Jul 22, 2007 12:49 pm. By: 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.
Mark
PS- now measuring the refrigerator.
Kill-a-watt results - garage door opener
Date: Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:45 pm. By: Vaughn Simon
"Mark Fields" wrote in message
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
Kill-a-watt results - garage door opener
Date: Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:34 pm. By: Mark Fields
"Vaughn Simon" wrote in message
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.
Mark
Kill-a-watt results - garage door opener
Date: Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:30 am. By: joe
Mark Fields wrote:
for the forced air. For the A/C it's 220V so I don't know how I'll do that.
use Ted (theenergydetective.com)
Kill-a-watt results - garage door opener
Date: Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:45 pm. By: Neon John
On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:34:47 -0400, "Mark Fields" wrote:
"Vaughn Simon" wrote in message 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!
Kill-a-watt results - garage door opener
Date: Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:50 pm. By: Guest
On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:49:45 -0400, "Mark Fields" wrote:
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
Kill-a-watt results - garage door opener
Date: Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:27 pm. By: Guest
Neon John wrote:
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
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