NEW upgraded Octopus "In Home Display"

MouldyOldDough

What is involved in the remote setting up - does it really take 48 hours ?

According to my Octopus contact..

"I need to ask you to keep the IHD plugged in close to the meter for at least 48 hours. This will allow us to do the necessary work behind the scenes to get it connected properly."

The only socket available has the phone and router plugged in - both vital and certainly not available for a whole 48 hours.

We don't have a spare socket to power the IHD closer to the meter than in the living room - which apparent;y is not close enough to set up the IHD - But is close enough to run it from - once set up !!

Chrysalis

Sounds like they cant be sure when they will try to to do it other than "next 48 hours" so to be sure its connected they need it kept on for that period.

Just use an extension cable to solve the issue.  The inconvenience is only for a couple of days hopefully.

MouldyOldDough

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

Or does it use non-rechargeables ? Which would not be any good left in when plugged in to usb power source

bob2302

MouldyOldDough said:

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

Or does it use non-rechargeables ? Which would not be any good left in when plugged in to usb power source

It comes with an internal battery, but it doesn't have much capacity. It's enough to unplug it and carry it around for short term measurement, but that's about it.

Ildhund

MouldyOldDough said:

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

IHD7-CAD-PPMID User Guide

MouldyOldDough

bob2302 said:

MouldyOldDough said:

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

Or does it use non-rechargeables ? Which would not be any good left in when plugged in to usb power source

It comes with an internal battery, but it doesn't have much capacity. It's enough to unplug it and carry it around for short term measurement, but that's about it.

Mine does NOT have a rechargeable battery - it has space for 3 AAA batteries - as soon as it  is unplugged - it dies

debitcardmayhem

MouldyOldDough said:

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

Or does it use non-rechargeables ? Which would not be any good left in when plugged in to usb power source

MouldyOldDough said:

bob2302 said:

MouldyOldDough said:

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

Or does it use non-rechargeables ? Which would not be any good left in when plugged in to usb power source

It comes with an internal battery, but it doesn't have much capacity. It's enough to unplug it and carry it around for short term measurement, but that's about it.

Mine does NOT have a rechargeable battery - it has space for 3 AAA batteries - as soon as it  is unplugged - it dies

And on the 17th march

 https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81349140/#Comment_81349140

Chrysalis

bob2302 said:

MouldyOldDough said:

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

Or does it use non-rechargeables ? Which would not be any good left in when plugged in to usb power source

It comes with an internal battery, but it doesn't have much capacity. It's enough to unplug it and carry it around for short term measurement, but that's about it.

The design of these things is so bad.  The portable screen idea has merit pre smart phones but not in 2025.  Should be screen less, and link up with smart phone app instead.  Then there is the combination of no power button and extremely short battery run time.
Octopus should offer to wholesale the mini as a replacement, it would likely be considerably cheaper as well, as it has no battery and screen.  Battery not needed when can use it via smart phone app anywhere in the home, whilst mini is safely plugged in near the meter.

MeteredOut

Chrysalis said:

bob2302 said:

MouldyOldDough said:

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

Or does it use non-rechargeables ? Which would not be any good left in when plugged in to usb power source

It comes with an internal battery, but it doesn't have much capacity. It's enough to unplug it and carry it around for short term measurement, but that's about it.

The design of these things is so bad.  The portable screen idea has merit pre smart phones but not in 2025.  Should be screen less, and link up with smart phone app instead.  Then there is the combination of no power button and extremely short battery run time.
Octopus should offer to wholesale the mini as a replacement, it would likely be considerably cheaper as well, as it has no battery and screen.  Battery not needed when can use it via smart phone app anywhere in the home, whilst mini is safely plugged in near the meter.

There is still a significant minority of people (typically older) who don't have a smartphone, or can't/don't want to deal with apps. 

Proposing an app-only solution (especially when the smart meter/IHD solution was designed) would never get approval. I suspect we're 10-20 years away from the point where that would be politically acceptable.

As an option for customers, I absolutely agree, but would have to go through certification etc for it to be a standard rollout.

Swipe

Chrysalis said:

bob2302 said:

MouldyOldDough said:

Should my Chameleon IHD7-PPMID not come with a rechargeable battery pack ?

Or does it use non-rechargeables ? Which would not be any good left in when plugged in to usb power source

It comes with an internal battery, but it doesn't have much capacity. It's enough to unplug it and carry it around for short term measurement, but that's about it.

The design of these things is so bad.  The portable screen idea has merit pre smart phones but not in 2025.  Should be screen less, and link up with smart phone app instead.  Then there is the combination of no power button and extremely short battery run time.
Octopus should offer to wholesale the mini as a replacement, it would likely be considerably cheaper as well, as it has no battery and screen.  Battery not needed when can use it via smart phone app anywhere in the home, whilst mini is safely plugged in near the meter.

I disagree, I can't be bothered faffing around with apps to check my current usage. Having no IHD display would not alert me that I've left the cooker hob in the lowest setting, which I do often.