Remote-Outlet

Monthly Archive: February 2014

Money Saver

You have a choce of three time settings, on the side; and a tap-on button on top that lights when the plug is being used.

I use 2 in the kitchen – electric teapot and the toaster; and another in each bathroom, where they come in handy for hair dryer or curling iron, and even a night light.

Wish there was a double outlet model so you could set two devices for different power periods at the same source. For instance, I would like to be able to charge my phone a set of flameless candles in the same location. The single outlet model is too large to allow use of 2 in the same outlet.

Don’t really know how much power it saves, but it certainly can’t hurt, and it is a lot more convenient than having to unplug the many devices used around the house

One of my TVs would turn on after a power failure so now it can’t. We just set the unit to run for 3 hours when we want to view this TV as we normally only watch this one for perhaps an hour at bedtime. The unit does not use any power once it turns itself off. Times devices for 30 minutes, 3 hours or 6 hours, whichever you want.

First to figure wattage loads of different products in our home for our emergency generator. Second to find out just how much power items around the house use when “off”. I was amazed at how much power some things around the house use when “off”. Individually they are not much but when you add them all up it equals a lot of wasted money and add to it the fact that our power company is upping their rates 10% this month and this monitor has saved us a good bit. I have since put many things on power strips and now when I turn the strip off things are really “off”. One last thing, not having to crane your neck down under the desk to read the display is a definite bonus compared to many of the other energy monitors I have seen.

I have an extra battery so I just put it in for 3 hours and then when I need the extra battery it is ready to go and I don’t have to worry about unplugging it all the time. It would be nice to have on of these with more outlets.

It does have the benefit of being easy to read when the socket is behind furniture. Measuring power consumption is kind of a pain if you have to crawl behind furniture with a flashlight to read it. The Belkin’s display is on a cable that can be placed nearby so it can be read easily.

And after exactly one month, my energy bill arrived and it was a whole $10 less!!! So, now I’ve installed the Belkin Conserve Smart AV F7C007q Energy-Saving Power Strip (for the TV console–keeping the Tivo & router on but turning off the 2nd Tivo and Netflix box when the TV gets turned off); and also 2 of the the cute little Belkin Conserve Socket F7C009q Energy-Saving Outlet (one for my office shredder and my electric toothbrush). And now I’ve added the Stanley 31164 Indoor Wireless Remote Control with Single Transmitter, White, 3-Pack for the hot water pot that’s on 6 hours every day, my appliance strip which covers toaster, rice cooker, blender and Breville juice extractor–to my kitchen to stop vampire energy loss.

I’m on a roll and look forward each month to how much I’ll save with these 3 Belkin and 1 Stanley products together! If I can saving $20-25 per month…well that adds up to a LOT in one year!!! I can think of other, better things to spend my money on like here on Amazon–more Kindle books…and…I have a huge wishlist.

February 22, 2014 Outlet, , , , , 0 Read more >

Glad It’s Simple, But Could Use a Couple Features

We use this hooked up to a power strip for our cell phone chargers, iPod charger and bedside table lamps. Turn it on about an hour before bed and turns off at what time we select. It is so easy to use and actually does turns off when it’s supposed to! I only wish it had two outlet holes and had an option for 8 hours(intervals are 1/2 hour, 3 hours and 6 hours) as I would like to hook it up to our sound machine.

If you are wanting to save energy on some outlets you know you use only at certain times like we do, purchase this! It is such a great, useful way to conserve just a little energy in your home (and some money on your bill!) Very happy with product and ease of getting the item out of packaging.

It was thrown into a paper bubble envelope which had been smashed and torn almost open. I was concerned that it would even work and I had to pay a lot for shipping. I ordered another one a few days later from another company for the same price and free shipping. This one came in a box inside of another box. I was shocked at the difference. I know where I will be ordering my future items from.

I like that it is simple. I wish they made one with a remote and/or a corded “button” to activate it, however, so it could be more easily activated. I also wish they’d let you use the start button as an on/off toggle button– currently, you can only cut the timer on by pushing the button, but hitting the button again will not cut it off; The only way to shut it off is to unplug it. I also wish they’d sell them in packs of 3 or 4 at a discount (maybe four for $25 or $30?). Easy to use buttons. The longer you leave it connected, the more accurate the cost estimate over time, as chargers for things like laptops and cell phones use different watts depending on how much of a charge they have. Having the display away from the wall is genius. Excellent purchase.

I would have given it five stars if the instructions had said that the green led that shows that the power is on is vey very dim once you have pressed the start button. Without that clarification, I was concerned that it wasn’t operating properly.

For the money it is a very good purchase. I would have liked the option to reset the timer without having to unplug the unit from the wall, but I suspect that that would have added to the price, so I can live with the shortcoming.

The cost of a kWh in HI is 28 cents, more than double most places on the mainland. Having a long cord on the unit allows me to check on the power usage without having to weasel around to read the device at the wall outlet. The unit can tell you how much you will pay for power used on a monthly and yearly basis. You can also update the power cost which is set by default at 11 cents per kWh.

February 21, 2014 Outlet, , , , 0 Read more >

Better Than the Other One I Got

Incredibly simple to operate, just one button. The main problem is the fact that you can only choose between three different presets, but so far is working perfectly for me. I have one that I use on my crockpot, another one for my cell phones chargers and one more for a night light. Perfect to operate with stuff that does not have a timer integrated.

Over a year now with all five units I own, working perfectly. Ordering a couple more for cellphones since the ones I already have are now with my two laptops, a charger of tipical AAA and AA batteries and home appliances. My batteries last forever now that they are not overcharged. The simplicity of the product I once tought it was a drawback it is now the feature I like most. Good product.

My favorite use for this is in the bathroom where I have my flat iron- it is great peace of mind to know that it will be turned off after 30 minutes if I forget. It does really only work on the top plug as it would cover both if it were plugged into the bottom, so only one per outlet.

We’re using it on our electric toothbrush so it shuts off the power to it after charging (1/2 mode). We tested the other two time modes and they worked. My only complaint is that we can *barely* fit a plug into the outlet beneath. It made it but if that bottom plug was even slightly bigger, it would not have fit. I’m certain that Belkin will read this next sentence and act immediately :) Belkin…give the 3-prong plug a rotation feature (as has become ubiquitous these days), so we can plug it in upside down if we want. This will free up the bottom plug and/or allow us to use the bottom plug for your device (which will free up the top plug). Do this and the item will be perfect :)

It had an 8hour setting, and a ‘constant on’ setting. But I like this one more because the first button press is the pre-set time (the other one you pressed button til setting you wanted) and the button is easier to access on this model. Also it has half hour which is the setting I use and the shortest on the other one is an hour, but it had more time choices. Also the top-socket aspect is great. Be nice if it had a shorter time such as 5 min but as is, it’s a really good unit. I don’t really care about the “conserve factor” I use it for the temporary turn-on of heating elements such as toaster. The number one thing this unit lacks is a way to turn it off. It should be that if I hit the button again it turns it off. Also this unit is not grounded which is bad and means many appliances cannot be plugged into it safely.

February 20, 2014 Outlet, , 0 Read more >

Coffee Cup Warmer Plate

I wish it had auto shut off, but since it doesn’t, this outlet timer really does the trick. I set it for 30 minutes and never worry about coming home to a hot countertop.

The only thing is that the 30 minutes isn’t long enough for a few things I use it for and the 3 hours is too long. Wish there was perhaps a fourth setting for an hour. But otherwise it works as promised and would have given it a 5.

I have several places where I’ve determined it will pay for itself in about a year’s time (for me, anything that uses about 10W or more). I have the first one hooked to my modem/router.

I recommend using a Kill-a-Watt or similar device to check for devices which have a high parasitic drain (cost money to leave plugged in). New devices are good at using near-zero power when off. How can you tell without such a device? Feel the case or feel the black box that plugs into the socket. If either is warm after the power’s been off for 5 hours or more, it’s probably robbing the bank.

The plug does intrude on the neighbor plug in a few places I want to put it. I also wish it could be turned off with a push of the button.

I’ve verified the power consumption is essentially zero. That’s good news, because most people will use it to save energy usage.

When Amazon took my return, it was easy, quick and gave me lots of options (refund/replacement, shipping methods that didn’t cost me anything). I highly recommend buying items “fulfilled by Amazon”.

I’ve purchased the Simple Touch C30002 Auto Shut-Off Safety Outlet, Single Setting as well as receiving a working replacement. I have to say I like the Simple-Touch product much better. The red LED is much easier to see than the faint green LED. Also, pressing the button a second time turns it back off. It allows me to make better use of the second socket as well. The only downside is it does not have a selector switch, it’s fixed at 60 minutes (a number I like). This other product has so many plusses, I don’t think I’ll be missing the slide switch on the outlet or the extra few buck it cost.

It is ideal for both: my coffee maker does not have an automatic shut-off, but when it is plugged into this device, it will get shut off at the plug in the time frame I choose, in this case the 1/2 hour setting.

For the home phone charger, I used to plug it in to charge and then forget about it for days. If the phone is charged but the charger or transformer is hot, you know you are wasting electricity, especially since we don’t use a home phone much so it doesn’t need to keep charging. By using this device, I can plug in my phone charger and set it to the three hour mark, knowing I will get a full charge but not leave it on needlessly, wasting electricity.

It doesn’t have any fancy features but at this price, it does exactly what I want it to without the clunkiness and clicking of a manual timer.

February 19, 2014 Outlet, , , 0 Read more >

Great Way to Kill Zombie Power Users

The side switch allows reasonable time periods for live electricity. The light indicates whether the socket is live, and the top button is handy. It seems durable enough, and works best in those outlets that are easily accessible.

Now I hit the button, it charges for 3 hours, and then shuts off. The phone is charged, and the charger isn’t sitting there using up power when I don’t need it. I think it would be great for laptops, or any device that uses a charger. A lot of power in a home is used up by phantom consumers like cell phone, laptop, and other chargers.

I bought this to charge my cell phone after my first battery died from charging my phone all night long. When I needed to purchase a new battery I also purchased this. Your cell phone really only needs 3 hours to get fully charged and when you charge it for 8 hours it actually drains the battery. This device fits into a 3 prong outlet (the top being the better position). You can set it for 30 minutes, 3 hours, or 6 hours. You just have to remember to press the button at the top of the device to turn it on. Also, when this is off it doesn’t suck power. Great energy saver too.

You can set the timer for 1/2, 3 and 6 hours. It is totally quiet when it shuts off – no “click” or any noise that might wake you up if you use it in your bedroom. I only wish that there were a couple of more time settings. It would be nice also if there were a way to either shut off the outlet or reset the timer without unplugging it.

You just have to plug it into an outlet, and then you will be plugin into the monitor everything you have. This thing is addictive and useful, not only because you realize how much energy (and money) an appliance waste, but the carbon footprint too if you are sensitive and know that all we are heating our big home. All this just with the touch of the button with the icon of what you want to display. The cord that came to put the screen not in the outlet but at a place you can see easily the display is one thing that similar products don’t have, and really is very helpful if you don’t want to be on your knees every time you want to see what’s in the display.

Slide the switch to the desired time, push button, and voila! It works perfectly. It’s rated high enough that it will support any item you can plug into a regular outlet. It will even power heaters, toaster ovens, and any other high drain 120V device. It will also handle small items like chargers. It is indespensible to me for charging power tools. I have cooked a few batteries in my day by forgetting to unplug them after 6 hours, sometimes days later. They are then rendered useless, and this is a pricey accident. Set the Conserve to 6 hours, and worry no more. It is also great when I make Crock-Pot meals, cause I’ve never seen one with a timer. 6 Hours on high, roast is done. Now it’s worry free when I’m at work. It will even have had time to cool off to an edible temp by the time I get home. This is great, and I plan on buying more. You will easily earn back the $10 in energy, and definately $10 in lost frustration. I can’t wait for more models with more time settings.

February 18, 2014 Outlet, , , , 0 Read more >

Eats Electricity for Breakfast!!

I have been using it with my heating blanket at night. While the blanket itself shuts off after 8 or 10 hours, I don’t need it on for that long. I plug it into this adapter, hit the green light and it stays on for however long I set it for. I’ve also been using it to charge my cell phone or computer. Things that I often forget are plugged in and get over charged.

The timer is easy to use; there’s a switch to set the desired time, and one obvious button to activate the electricity flow. It’s a good product if you need to shut off an item after a certain period of time, like a phone charger.

The big complaint I will make, however, is that the timer is too crippled when it comes to the length of time setting: you can only choose from 30 mins, 3 hours, or 6 hours. That’s it. If Belkin could add an actual timer that you set your own time in, then that would be a major improvement. For example: I’m using this for my phone charger. I know my phone charges in 2 hours, so I’d rather have the timer shut-off after 2 hours instead of waste electricity for 1 additional hour.

Also, there is no “OFF” button or mechanism on the timer. The only way to shut it off is to unplug the unit. This can be a bit tedious, especially when the plug is in a tight space to reach into.

It is nice for seeing not only what an electical item uses in dollars but even more important it shows what the carbon data, and watts are. It can save us alot of money by showing the wastefull electrical appliances we might have.

Simply, plug it in and then plug whatever electronic device you wish to use with it. It will shut the power off in 30 minutes, 3 hours or 6 hours, depending on your selection. The selection is made via a sliding switch on the side of the unit.

In my case, I use a steamer and sometimes head to work, forgetting that the steamer is still plugged in. When this occurs, I’ve wasted electricy on a relatively high-wattage device for hours. I’ve also come home to find the steamer broken after leaving it on for so long and finally it could present a potential fire hazard (though not too likely). This Belkin device simply shuts down the power after 30 minutes per my selection, which not only saves money, but likely prolongs the life of the steamer.

I wish they made a double unit and maybe they do. But this items does what you expect it to and I recommend it.

it shut down like a drunk on New years Eve, just as advertised!!! Just make sure the outlet doesn’t get hot, test it every half hour or so as a safety precaution. Then after it’s off wait until the heater gets cool again. And there you have it, a truly deserving five-star product.

February 17, 2014 Outlet, , 0 Read more >