FirstPower LCD Display Digital Power Saving Energy Monitor KWh Meter $9.99 @ Newegg (FirstPower) (FIRE HAZARD?!?)

[killster1]

Fire Hazard!?!?! Be careful out there. Running a 1200W mining rig through one of these little meters, is apparently NOT a good idea.

I've stopped using mine a few months ago, and switched-out to a 240V Tripp-Lite metered (ammeter) PDU (metal case) and C13/C14 cables, for my "serious" mining rigs.

I still have a (real) Kill-A-Watt EZ connected to my main rig (420-450W) semi-permanently.

lulz yea strange that the 1200w constant threw the chinsy plastic meter went bad i have mine constantly plugged into my nuc that is drawing 25 watts, you think its safe?

 

[Muse]

The TP-Link KP115 energy monitoring wifi enabled smart plug that I bought and received a few days ago is saving my butt, well, my lunch... no, the goodies and baddies in my fridge, which is limping along while I wait for the replacement thermostat that is supposed to arrive Monday (fingers crossed).

 

[killster1]

The TP-Link KP115 energy monitoring wifi enabled smart plug that I bought and received a few days ago is saving my butt, well, my lunch... no, the goodies and baddies in my fridge, which is limping along while I wait for the replacement thermostat that is supposed to arrive Monday (fingers crossed).

how does a energy monitor save anything? tells you when its broken so you can put in some ice jugs? maybe a WIFI thermometer would be more efficient in telling you if its broken or not, a broken fridge can still use power

 

[Muse]

how does a energy monitor save anything? tells you when its broken so you can put in some ice jugs? maybe a WIFI thermometer would be more efficient in telling you if its broken or not, a broken fridge can still use power

Fact is I just received my Yolink Smart Wireless Temperature / Humidity Sensor Wide Range (-22 to 158 degrees) for Freezer Fridge Monitoring Pet Cage/Tank Monitoring Smartphone Alerts, Works with Alexa IFTTT, 2 Pack - Hub Included today. It's sitting NIB right next to me. However, my energy monitoring smart plug has saved my ass all week as I await shipment of the replacement thermostat that I hope will make my fridge functional again. The fridge's compressor should turn on and off a couple times an hour, that sort of thing. But it's been way way slower to turn on and off. The freezer is swinging between maybe -12F to +18F and the fridge was swinging between 35 and 46, maybe 48 even. What I've been doing the last few days is monitoring what's going on with the fridge from anywhere within my wifi router's range, e.g. right here in my upstairs bedroom. Without it, I have to visit the kitchen to find out what's happening. When my compressor kicks on, I take thermal ballast objects (those things you put in your freezer for your ice chests, also heating pads) out of the fridge and put in the freezer. When the compressor turns off (IF I NOTICE!!!), I return the thermal ballast objects to the fresh food section. After starting this protocol, the fridge has stayed below 40F. My new thermostat should get here Monday. Meantime, I'm fingers crossed the compressor keeps firing up, which is a challenge. I usually have to thump it with the palm of my hand after the freezer temperature gets 14-18F.

The energy monitoring wifi smart plug has certain advantages over a wifi temp/humidity detection system in a fridge. The plug tells me exactly how many watts are being used in real time. For instance, suppose the fridge is silent but in defrost mode? This is very important for me to know right now. It draws ~450 watts in defrost mode, whereas when just "off" it draws 2 watts. The plug tells me, the temp sensors do not. Well, they might hint at it, but the plug nails it.

 

[killster1]

Fact is I just received my Yolink Smart Wireless Temperature / Humidity Sensor Wide Range (-22 to 158 degrees) for Freezer Fridge Monitoring Pet Cage/Tank Monitoring Smartphone Alerts, Works with Alexa IFTTT, 2 Pack - Hub Included today. It's sitting NIB right next to me. However, my energy monitoring smart plug has saved my ass all week as I await shipment of the replacement thermostat that I hope will make my fridge functional again. The fridge's compressor should turn on and off a couple times an hour, that sort of thing. But it's been way way slower to turn on and off. The freezer is swinging between maybe -12F to +18F and the fridge was swinging between 35 and 46, maybe 48 even. What I've been doing the last few days is monitoring what's going on with the fridge from anywhere within my wifi router's range, e.g. right here in my upstairs bedroom. Without it, I have to visit the kitchen to find out what's happening. When my compressor kicks on, I take thermal ballast objects (those things you put in your freezer for your ice chests, also heating pads) out of the fridge and put in the freezer. When the compressor turns off (IF I NOTICE!!!), I return the thermal ballast objects to the fresh food section. After starting this protocol, the fridge has stayed below 40F. My new thermostat should get here Monday. Meantime, I'm fingers crossed the compressor keeps firing up, which is a challenge. I usually have to thump it with the palm of my hand after the freezer temperature gets 14-18F.

If you fridge is 46 then you should already have ice inside. (i guess it depends what type of things are in your fridge but i know my milk lasts a week past the date because it is kept very cold at all times.

 

[Muse]

If you fridge is 46 then you should already have ice inside. (i guess it depends what type of things are in your fridge but i know my milk lasts a week past the date because it is kept very cold at all times.

I'm managing to keep the fridge under 40 the last 24 hours using the system I described. It would be pretty difficult without that smart plug. Yes, the wifi temp/humidity sensor would be even better, and maybe I'll set that up tomorrow. Anyway, I'm trying to get to Monday when the thermostat is supposed to arrive and if things go as they have the last day or so I should make it fine.

I don't buy jugs of milk, I buy packages of non-fat milk powder and reconstitute to make a quart at a time (actually 2 pints).

 

[Muse]

If you fridge is 46 then you should already have ice inside. (i guess it depends what type of things are in your fridge but i know my milk lasts a week past the date because it is kept very cold at all times.

Anyway, I'm trying to get to Monday when the thermostat is supposed to arrive and if things go as they have the last day or so I should make it fine.

Ah, good news! I just checked my porch... the thermostat supposed to arrive Monday is here!

 

[mikeford]

First thing I would do is test the old thermostat to verify its the source of funky behavior. It doesn't sound very thermostatish to me.

 

[Muse]

First thing I would do is test the old thermostat to verify its the source of funky behavior. It doesn't sound very thermostatish to me.

This video displays the replacement of the thermostat in a fridge similar to mine, an Amana bottom freezer. The guy says early on that it can be hard to test the thermostat, so he replaced it.

Right now, the compressor's on. I'm letting it run until it stops, which should usually be no more than 1/2 hour or so but the way the fridge is behaving the last several days it will be on for a total of almost 4 hours (if like the last cycle). I'm doing this because I want the food in the freezer good and cold before I transfer it to ice chests. The freezer will be -10 to -14 F probably when the compressor stops running. I'll then empty the freezer, remove shelving so I can have clear access to the top mounted temp control unit, remove the housing, take a photo of old thermostat (so I can get the wires back on right, probably no issue, but can't hurt to take that picture), replace old thermostat with new one. Plug the fridge back in, set controls to medium and if compressor working, replace the food and monitor.

 

[mikeford]

I just bought one, again at $9.99, liked it, looked more and bought a new model with backlight, MUCH nicer in practice.