PowerCost Monitor TM
by Blue Line Innovations
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Our Price: $119.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $49.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of PowerCost Monitor TM
Customer Review: Mine also failed once it rained
Summary: 1 Stars
We got one of these some time ago, and installed the outdoor unit outside on the electric meter (as it needs to be set up). It does provide real-time tracking of your electrical usage, though on our large home we have so many cycling motors in heating systems and refrigerators and such that you could not practically test turning on an off a light and see how it changed the load.
The real weakness of the system is that the sending unit mounts outside on the electrical meter, and while it appears weatherized with seals on the battery compartment and reset switch, we had a heavy rain after a month after installing it, and the seals didn't seem to actually keep the electronic dry. The unit died from the water exposure (and didn't recover once dried out). So while it was pretty neat, it only lasted a month, so I'd avoid this unless your meter is well shielded from rain.
In retrospect I'd suggest looking at the competing products that mount entirely indoors at the circuit panel, as anything less weatherproof than the electrical meter itself just isn't going to last.
Andrew
Customer Review: The monitor works well and gives a good overview of the electricity usage
Summary: 5 Stars
Got the BLI-25000 model which is the latest model than the BLI-24000 for which there seems to be lot of negative reviews.
The installation took less than 5 minutes, since I have digital meters with an LED interface, it was really easy to set up.
Once set up, the signal strength showed full strength even in the farthest corners of the house, about 200 feet through wall, from where the transmitter is located outside the house.
The display unit seems to work well for the last 4 months that I have had it, and displays changes within 4-5 seconds of switching on/off a power consuming unit. This unit also shows the time and the outside temperature, and has a cool light switch that glows the display wih a back-light for a few seconds.
All in all, this unit seems like a good investment, since it gives a good idea on the power consumption in the house on an almost instantaneous basis, making everyone in the family more aware of the lights and and energy consuming devices being unnecessarily being on.
I would definitely recommend this device.
Customer Review: Limited Value
Summary: 2 Stars
Got this for $10 from my electric company or I would have returned it. Feels like a beta version. I've found it to be very inaccurate. Needs to have a setting to save data between billing dates. This would allow you to easily match against your elecric bill and see how well it works. Doing so manually means having to clear the amounts and save tha data on paper on the same day each month. Of course this means you won't do it.
When the power goes out briefly (thunderstorms etc.) this has to be reset at the meter as it doesn't start up gain when the power comes back on.
I could take this to the moon but the range indicator always shows the strongest signal - so that's useless.
Even when we lose power this always shows a minimum power cost of $0.05 per hour. Shouldn't it be $0.00?
It's not a bad unit who-dinkey but needs improvement and refinement. It's an impressive package of goods when you open the box but unless you get a deal through your utility and like gadgets, save your money.
Customer Review: More Trouble than it is Worth
Summary: 1 Stars
Initially I found this a nifty device, giving good insight into the cost of leaving various lights on and using various appliances. But within weeks it went out of commission whenever it rained, and eventually I had to reinstall it about 3 times (a process which takes about 2 hours and multiple iterations). Within a year it lost all communication, and I was not sure what was wrong since the indicator lights still functioned. Eventually I replaced the batteries in both the sender and receiver, and over the course of 2 weekends managed to successfully reinstall it (yes, it takes that long). When daylight savings time changed, I made the mistake of trying to change the time on the receiver without consulting the user manual. I accidentally reset the receiver, and after 1 hour of trying to synchronize the sender and receiver again, I despair of ever getting working without spending half a day reinstalling the whole thing.
It is a nice idea, but in the end I have just decided it is not worth it anymore.
Customer Review: Works Great!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just received my monitor from Nstar about 2 weeks ago. I live in boston and they had a promotion on where I could get it for $30, so I figured I would give it a try. I can't get over how neat it is.
The set up was pretty easy, took me about 15 minutes or so, a little fooling around installing it on my meter. But once I had it set up I was able to see right away how much power my house was using. It has become addictive over the last 2 weeks. I am constantly checking it to see how much money I am spending. Although sometimes I wish I didn't have it because when I turn on my clothes dryer the cost sky rockets I cringe.
I check it everytime before I leave the house to make sure everything is off. I know that if it shows more than $0.04 I have left something on, usually the light in the closet or bathroom fan.
All in all, I am pleased with the monitor, especially for only $30. But be aware, it can become addictive.