Smart Power Strip

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufact...Ltd./Item/LCG4/

I've been looking for something like this forever. I know we've talked about energy uses of devices even when they are off. This power strip solves a big part of that problem.

You put a primary device on the main plug. Once that device is shut off, all devices on the secondary plugs are completely turned off. The beauty of this thing is the lack of effort it will require on my wife's part to actually turn everything off. Zap, turn the tv on and everything else gets power. Zap, turn the tv off and everything is really off.

I'm going to order these for my computer as well.

And in case you were wondering, there are three bypass plugs that will allow you to keep something on regardless of the state of the main device. This is good because I want my Tivo on 24/7 to record and I want my remote charger on to keep my all in one remote charged. Everything else needs to be in an off state.

I may even take this a step further and try to figure out if my TV or my Receiver draw more power in an off state. They are both tied to a single on button, so it shouldn't make a difference which one I make my master power.

that is cool

Bubbaspanky wrote:that is cool

nice device.
its definitively sth i would like to have installed (IF it would be available herefor 220V circuit!!!)
was astonished about the price. when i see what germans have to pay for let alone a PC_Powerswitch or an PCEnergySaver device. taken into concern that conrad is one of the house technic device and electronic suppliers with a rather low price policy!

conrad-PC-Powerswitch

I wonder if its even possible to really measure any savings with this device, or others like it. Its still not what I've been looking for, namely something that would switch off power cubes when not charging a cell phone or a cordless mouse.

There is such a rush to 'green' that manufacturers can basically quadruple the price of a gadget with a buyer beware approach. There is so much junk on the market anymore.

Its also a case of how much can you really can turn things off. Basically my new TV needs a certain amount of electric just to maintain its settings. If I unplug it it forgets which HDMI imput it was left at, the channel programming, etc, etc. I assume that would apply to the TIVO/cable box, many surround system amps, etc.


I've also had certain equipment that didn't fare well being unplugged, ie crt monitors and laser printers. There can be such a violent reaction to a sudden change of rez or that components' need to re-initialize itself the instant it gets full power back.

Let us know how you like this strip. I kinda have my doubts that you'd ever recoup the $60 for the pennies a day you may save.

Well, using this will turn off my Receiver, DVD Player and Wii. That may or may not be enough.

I do know however that the 4 Lamp timers I installed knocked my electric bill down $20 between July and August. Considering the costs go up between those months, I was impressed.