I know some of you avtards haul generators out into the backcountry for that back-to-nature camping experience. Here's a great watt meter that will let you know exactly what your various appliances are drawing:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882715001

I used to measure the electrical draw of various appliances around the place with a $5 multimeter. Always one for safety, I carefully held a small screwdriver by the insulated handle and jammed it into one side of the outlet, held one prong of the plug for the appliance against the screwdriver with one hand, held both leads of the meter in the other hand, pressing one of them into the other side of the outlet and the other lead against the other prong of the plug. Multiply volts times amps to get watts. Needless to say, it worked great if you discount the fact that I got bit every single time I did it. I like my new meter!

No flux capacitor though I'm guessing.

In the process of buying an older house with only 100A service, and I'd like to get an idea of what are the heaviest loading items without actually blowing fuses (yes it still has a fuse box ) Can you "watch" the load on a given circuit with a device like this?

Watch who your calling an Avtard!

We haul them.... because we can

SkyTruck wrote:Watch who your calling an Avtard!

We haul them.... because we can

SkyTruck, I call them as I see them!

I finally made it into JC this year (a whopping 45 minute flight, and that was taking the scenic route). SkyTruck was there with a nice quiet Honda generator that lit up his campsite at night. Those of us with an O-300 in their bird just brought a little double AA flashlight, and repeatedly walked into the tiedowns.

1SeventyZ wrote:Can you "watch" the load on a given circuit with a device like this?

You can leave the appliance plugged into it for extended periods.

Ideally, the device would remember the peak load, but it doesn't. So, you will literally have to "watch" the load on the meter to see the peak draw. It seems to update instantly, so it's constantly jumping up and down for some devices.

It will keep track of the time that the device has been plugged into it, and tell you how many KWH it has drawn since it was plugged in, which is useful for things like a fridge that kick on and off. There are also buttons for volts, amps, and Hz.

It will handle up to 15A at 125V, so no welders, dryers, hot water heaters, etc.

Actually, the generator primarily was there to warm up the planes in the morning.
The electric pre-heaters are kind of a joke, so next time I will have a gas fired pre-heater and the generator will stay home.

You take Einstein to the Vet yet?

http://gallery.me.com/mfraser/100156

He went in for surgery on Tuesday and he's back at home now, slowly recuperating. If you see Bill, tell him I owe him big-time for the diagnosis!

Einstein's my border collie co-pilot. He's been limping for a few months and not wanting to put a lot of weight on one of his back legs. I assumed it was hip displacia, but figured I'd have the vet look him over the next time I took him in for shots. One of the pilots at JC emphatically declared it was a torn ACL (ligament inside of the knee).

I called for an appointment the same day I got home, took him in the next day, and it was confirmed as a torn ACL. There are various treatments available, and they mostly vary based on the size of the dog. The vet recommended the "Patsaama Technique" where they cut a strip of fascia from his hip down to the back of his knee, leaving it attached at the back of the knee. They thread the strip of fascia through the knee, and attach it to the front of the tibia. If all goes well, he's supposed to be as good as new after a couple of months of recuperation and physical therapy.

kevbert wrote: If all goes well, he's supposed to be as good as new after a couple of months of recuperation and physical therapy.

And a couple airplane rides

I'll make sure Billy gets the word.

Coincidentally, I just ran across this link while browsing slashdot. It will monitor the entire draw at your electrical panel, and log it to your computer. If you're too lazy to use the Kill-A-Watt to measure all of your appliances individually or in small batches plugged into a power strip, then this looks like the way to go.

http://www.theenergydetective.com/store/ted-1000

Boy am I glad I could help. He is such a sweet dog and reminds me of my Penny she is a white border collie as well.

kevbert wrote:Coincidentally, I just ran across this link while browsing slashdot. It will monitor the entire draw at your electrical panel, and log it to your computer. If you're too lazy to use the Kill-A-Watt to measure all of your appliances individually or in small batches plugged into a power strip, then this looks like the way to go.

http://www.theenergydetective.com/store/ted-1000