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Forums › Off topic › Power Monitoring


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Topic # 86193 3-Jul-2011 00:21
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I am interested in installing a Power Usage monitoring System. I want something that has a coupling unit at the meter box and has a display unit in house which can be connected to computer for analysing usages etc. I was going to suggest using Goggles Powermeter but I understand that Google has stopped this service. There seem to be several systems and a wide variety of prices so I wonder if anyone has any experience and can recommend a good system that is available in New Zealand at a reasonable price. Some of the costs seem outrageous for what is a pretty basic system.
I would want it to work as above and preferably be able to take in unit price of electricity and show a visual display of cost.
With the price of electricity starting to escalate and with the partial sale of the electricity generators I think we are going to experience some pretty hefty power rises next year so would like to be ready for it.
 




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  Reply # 488717 3-Jul-2011 00:39
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I have a Cent-a-meter and it provides realtime usage.
It's a great unit, but, if I were to purchase a new power usage meter of any kind it would be one of these:
http://www.efergy.com/Products/efergy-Shop-Energy-Monitors/EFERGY/Efergy-E2/pid-184320.aspx

They don't explicitly say that they ship to NZ, but they might be able to.

Depending on if they do ship to NZ, and how much the shipping would cost, you could probably have it landed to NZ for just over NZ$100, maybe less if they take off VAT. I don't know if the listed price includes VAT or not.

Worth looking into I'd say.

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  Reply # 488730 3-Jul-2011 08:11
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I have a CurrentCost device. It's really good, and you have the option of a network interface to upload data automatically, so you don't have to have it plugged to a PC, continusouly using power...

We posted a CurrentCost review some time ago.




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  Reply # 488763 3-Jul-2011 11:13
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Efergy have several NZ retailers.




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  Reply # 488796 3-Jul-2011 13:44
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http://energymeter.co.nz/

Company about to startup which will offer this service.

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  Reply # 488798 3-Jul-2011 13:53
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Interesting, but they don't say in their page if they collect the data from smart meters or from devices like the Current Cost (which provides an API for data access, already used with Google Powermeter).





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  Reply # 488803 3-Jul-2011 14:08
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freitasm: Interesting, but they don't say in their page if they collect the data from smart meters or from devices like the Current Cost (which provides an API for data access, already used with Google Powermeter).

Home page states: "*Use of the service still requires the purchase of a compatible CurrentCost ENVI/R Energy Monitor"

The accessories page lists Current Cost devices.

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  Reply # 488829 3-Jul-2011 16:35
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I obviously didn't read enough of the page. Or they don't convey the message in a "quick" way, because I didn't scroll down the page and missed it.




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  Reply # 488835 3-Jul-2011 16:48
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freitasm: I obviously didn't read enough of the page. Or they don't convey the message in a "quick" way, because I didn't scroll down the page and missed it.

Or they just added it after being 'geekzoned' ;   ).




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  Reply # 488838 3-Jul-2011 16:57
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When we signed up to Powershop, they installed a Smart Meter in the house which nightly sends its usage off to them. We can log in and see what's going on. We didn't have to pay for it.

Is that what you mean? Or is it something else?




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  Reply # 488840 3-Jul-2011 16:59
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It's actually a much more granular view of your usage - the CurrentCost device uploads energy use every few minutes to their own website, and from there other services get with whatever frequency they want. Google Powermeter gets every ten minutes.

And with the CurrentCost device on your desk you see instant usage numbers (delayed five seconds).




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  Reply # 488841 3-Jul-2011 17:00
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Right, I figured that was a bit too easy to be what was being spoken about. I apologise and will go and flush my head in the toilet.

*flush*




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  Reply # 488890 3-Jul-2011 19:39
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Mmmm It starts to look fairly expensive for what should be a simple device. Am I correct in stating earlier that Google have abandoened Powermeter




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  Reply # 488892 3-Jul-2011 19:42
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Google announced that they will be retiring PowerMeter on 16 September 2011
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/update-on-google-health-and-google.html
http://currentcost.posterous.com/google-retires-powermeter



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  Reply # 488894 3-Jul-2011 19:43
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Thats a real shame




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  Reply # 488943 3-Jul-2011 22:26
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ronw: Mmmm It starts to look fairly expensive for what should be a simple device. [...]

How much are you looking to pay, and in detail what do you want it to do?

Sounds like:
- Realtime display of usage
- Data storage for later analysis 
Does that cover it?

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