Plug-in electricity monitors - differences

KimYeovil

Does anyone know the differences between the monitor Maplin regularly reduce to £8 and the ones that stubbornly remain at £23?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223573&DOY=8m5#specifi

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=38343&DOY=8m5

Cardew

I have the more expensive version.

It can handle a higher load.
You can also plug it into, say, a freezer and leave it for a week. It then displays the time in hours and power consumed e.g 168 hours and 8.57kWh.

The big disadvantage is that it has no battery and you have to read it 'in situ'; and if there is a mometary power cut it resets.

The cheaper version has a memory and a cost setting. IMO it looks to be a better bet.

Sirbendy

I have neither of those...I have a grey one that does the instant, the cost based, the amount over time etc, WITH a battery backup...

Cost..not very much. I'll see if I can find a link. Hmm, a pic of mine:



it's a Brennenstuhl PM23.

Fred_Bear_2

I have all three of these of these meters. The last time Maplin were selling the N67FU cheap I bought 5 and saved the delivery charges. The advantage of this model is that it is accurate down to below 1 watt unlike the others which go haywire. This is useful for checking standby current. I found my washing machine uses nearly 4 watts when switched off completely. I have all 5 monitoring various appliances long term which helps to even out irregular use.

Magentasue

I bought the cheap one a couple of years ago and have passed it round to friends. It does enough for me - working out cheapest programmes on washing machine; calculating cost of running the fridge or drying a load of washing in the tumble dryer. It records the time and kwh, which is useful if you want to leave something plugged in for a while. The memory is useful when you have it plugged in somewhere where it's difficult to read the display.

Fred_Bear_2

Magentasue - are you saying the cheap one has a memory? I'm fairly sure mine doesn't.

Cardew

Fred_Bear wrote: »

Magentasue - are you saying the cheap one has a memory? I'm fairly sure mine doesn't.

If you look at the link it states it does.

<H2 class="M B Brand2">Product Features

• <LI class=moduleBulletText>Monitor energy consumption from any appliance plugged into a socket <LI class=moduleBulletText>Great for seeing how much power your appliances are consuming <LI class=moduleBulletText>Can display the cost of electricity and power used <LI class=moduleBulletText>Large LCD display <LI class=moduleBulletText>Set up in less than 2 minutes <LI class=moduleBulletText>Up to 9 different types of data displayed <LI class=moduleBulletText>Memory function
• Maximum current 13A / maximum power 3120W

</H2>

The table doesnt reproduce properly in a 'cut and paste'

Fred_Bear_2

Cardew wrote: »

If you look at the link it states it does.

I agree that Maplin says it does but I lose all the figures when I unplug it and there doesn't appear to be anywhere to insert batteries.

Magentasue

Fred_Bear wrote: »

Magentasue - are you saying the cheap one has a memory? I'm fairly sure mine doesn't.

I thought it did - don't have it at the moment but I thought when you unpluugged it, it retained the readings. Could be wrong.

Cardew

Fred_Bear wrote: »

I agree that Maplin says it does but I lose all the figures when I unplug it and there doesn't appear to be anywhere to insert batteries.

The term N67FU is only a Maplins order number, perhaps it is a Mk2 version?

Certainly, the more expensive version I have loses all data when removed from socket. It can be a pain to try to read it in some socket hidden in a kitchen cupboard.

tarranty

The Brennesthul is a good plug in monitor, I had mine for a few years but I still prefer the wireless monitors. Just as accurate and shows consumption of more than one device, they also have a memory function allowing you to see how much you use over a week, say if it's cold, when there are dark nights or whilst you're on holiday and compare it to other times. Cheapest one with all these functions at the monment is the OWLCM119, I got mine from Greenstamp.