NEW upgraded Octopus "In Home Display"

FreeBear

MeteredOut said:

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.

Don't have a smart phone, nor do I want one. Do have an Android tablet though, but the Octopus app keeps crashing on opening.

MouldyOldDough

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.

You say "battery not needed" but mine takes 3 AAA non-rechargeable batteries - But I assume should run on batteries for a few days

I tried running it from that power source whilst they set it up

The damned thing goes to sleep after 5 minutes - because it is not set up !!

I have now emailed them - giving them one last chance to sort this IHD problem however they want - before I take the matter to the energy ombudsman who I'm sure will be interested to hear that Octopus's first complaints level failed to even get a response !!

And that complaint to ISSUERESOLUTION@octopus.energy as well as GREG@octopus.energy gets forwarded straight to the complainee to deal with !

Ie, the person who is being complained about.....

Chrysalis

MeteredOut said:

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.

Then politics are light years behind then, the majority of people have a smart phone now, we basically got this obsolete IHD screen device, for a minority of users.

Reverse what you said and it makes some sense, the standard device would be the screenless one offered for free, the screen version should be the optional device with an extra fee to cover the screen for those who dont like using phones/tablets.

Chrysalis

Swipe said:

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.

A tablet with the app running would do that, and with the benefit it doesnt have to be sat plugged in next to the meter.

Chrysalis

MouldyOldDough said:

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.

You say "battery not needed" but mine takes 3 AAA non-rechargeable batteries - But I assume should run on batteries for a few days

I tried running it from that power source whilst they set it up

The damned thing goes to sleep after 5 minutes - because it is not set up !!

I have now emailed them - giving them one last chance to sort this IHD problem however they want - before I take the matter to the energy ombudsman who I'm sure will be interested to hear that Octopus's first complaints level failed to even get a response !!

And that complaint to ISSUERESOLUTION@octopus.energy as well as GREG@octopus.energy gets forwarded straight to the complainee to deal with !

Seems to be multiple models out there, mine cant be opened, and has an internal battery that runs out super quick.

The octopus mini doesnt need a battery as its not needed to be portable and moved around, the portability is in the smart device you using instead.

When I first used the IHD I thought it was neat, viewing live usage etc. but as soon as I used the mini oh boy its a massive step up in usability and convenience.  Deffo how it should have been done as standard.  More usable and a cheaper device all in one.

Shame the bright company stopped stocking their devices, as they have one without a screen as well.

MeteredOut

Chrysalis said:

MeteredOut said:

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.

Then politics are light years behind then, the majority of people have a smart phone now, we basically got this obsolete IHD screen device, for a minority of users.

Reverse what you said and it makes some sense, the standard device would be the screenless one offered for free, the screen version should be the optional device with an extra fee to cover the screen.

I'd hope that's not a surprise to you.

Your "charge for the IHD" idea would not be accepted either - the demographic who don't want to use apps are the ones who vote.

I'm not saying its right, but simply pointing out the realities of what you're proposing. I suspect you're understimating the complications around the governance/certification overheads of moving to such a model too. It would have to be centralised in the same way the DCC is today.

Chrysalis

MeteredOut said:

Chrysalis said:

MeteredOut said:

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.

Then politics are light years behind then, the majority of people have a smart phone now, we basically got this obsolete IHD screen device, for a minority of users.

Reverse what you said and it makes some sense, the standard device would be the screenless one offered for free, the screen version should be the optional device with an extra fee to cover the screen.

I'd hope that's not a surprise to you.

Your "charge for the IHD" idea would not be accepted either - the demographic who don't want to use apps are the ones who vote.

I'm not saying its right, but simply pointing out the realities of what you're proposing. I suspect you're understimating the complications around the governance/certification overheads of moving to such a model too. It would have to be centralised in the same way the DCC is today.

It would work without a charge as well, as money would still be saved by many people not having the screen version if they knew before hand it would work on their phone or tablet.
I get what you saying about the voting base.
So will back track a bit, just think both should be available, and users pick between the two.

QrizB

MouldyOldDough said:

You say "battery not needed" but mine takes 3 AAA non-rechargeable batteries - But I assume should run on batteries for a few days

Hours.

It will run on 3AAs for a few hours.

The IHD isn't a 1980s transistor radio, it's a bit of 21st century equipment with a ZigBee radio transceiver. It's not intended to run on batteries for extended periods.

Qyburn

Chrysalis said:

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. 

It's a proprietary solution for Octopus customers only. I can't imagine how much development work would be needed to make it work with wll other suppliers' systems.

powerful_Rogue

MouldyOldDough said:

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.

You say "battery not needed" but mine takes 3 AAA non-rechargeable batteries - But I assume should run on batteries for a few days

I tried running it from that power source whilst they set it up

The damned thing goes to sleep after 5 minutes - because it is not set up !!

I have now emailed them - giving them one last chance to sort this IHD problem however they want - before I take the matter to the energy ombudsman who I'm sure will be interested to hear that Octopus's first complaints level failed to even get a response !!

And that complaint to ISSUERESOLUTION@octopus.energy as well as GREG@octopus.energy gets forwarded straight to the complainee to deal with !

Ie, the person who is being complained about.....

It goes into sleep mode when it's not being used. Saves electricity/batteries.