Remote-Outlet

Tag Archive: save life

Solution to a Real Problem

This surge protector allows for up to 8 devices to be plugged in with sufficient room for the wider DC adapters to fit and it will protect them against power surges. What makes it ‘special’ is, of course, the remote control that will completely shut off all but 2 of the outlets so nothing, not even stand-by power is consumed. This is good because it saves some energy and I suspect that the devices for which the power was completely shut down are better protected in the event of a spike. With the remote on my desk, I found that I almost always remember to shut things down when I’m done.

More details

————

The following are noteworthy, in my view.

Positives:

+ Simple remote control with a 60 ft. range and no line of sight requirement to turn off all but 2 of the outlets – it’s what makes this device special.

+ On-Off switch could be mounted on a wall (mounting screws not provided) or simply glued to the wall or the side of your desk (adhesive tape provided).

+ 8-outlet capacity with a lot of room for the wider AC adapters.

+ ‘Always on’ light shows that power is present.

+ ‘Not grounded’ red light (must be off) will warn you when there’s something wrong. Its warranty won’t apply if the light was on when your devices got fried. I don’t know if for a fact but I assume they have a way of telling if that was the case.

+ ‘Remote-Switched Outlets’ light shows when switched outlets are active.

+ Manual override button allows for direct control of switched outlets. A must have when the remote’s battery needs replacing.

+ Clip for cable management. If you don’t need it – and I didn’t – you can simply pull it and it comes out easily.

+ Thin (one inch) and flat shape. Sits well on any flat surface, usually the floor.

+ It’s possible to control several similar devices with one remote control or have each respond to its own on-off remote – the manual shows you how to set them up.

+ 4 foot long cord.

The only negative I can think of is the overhyped up to $100,000 protection promised if your equipment is destroyed by a power surge. Once you read the fine print you realize that by the way it’s worded, it would probably cost you more to fulfill the requirements and prove your case than whatever you are likely to get IF you are successful.

Rating

——

I like its opting for simplicity – click ‘off’ and you’re done – over the more complex semi-intelligent energy saving power strips that many will find difficult to set up and don’t always perform the way one expects. With me in control, at least I won’t be blaming someone else if something goes wrong. The outlets that I can turn off when not using them should probably not waste 25-35W each hour for 12+ hours every day plus weekends. Not bad and it should probably pay for itself after about a year of use.

I am awarding 5 stars to this item that addresses real issues by providing a realistic solution. It’s possible that the power strips of the future are going to be a lot more intelligent than today’s but, until then, this is the optimal solution for me.

November 12, 2013 Outlet, , , 0 Read more >

Cut Your Energy Bill!!

It’s all buried behind the entertainment system. You do have to push relatively hard on the switch to ensure it turns on/off, but otherwise functions very well. Kills 126 watts (Killawatt used for testing) of idle power draw from the six components hooked up to it. A couple of KW a day at 30 cents a KW… it’ll pay for itself in just a few months.

We had a lamp in the corner of the room that we liked to turn on to add light to the room but you would have to reach over a couch to turn it on. We hooked it up to this and put the switch by the other light switch and it works great. Saves us some time and effort turning it on and off. I also like that it has constant on outlets for things you don’t want controlled by the remote. I wish i would have bought a few more while they were on sale.

The remote switches were very easy to set up with a different configuration for each computer (it took about 45 seconds to reset the configuration so each remote switch would work only one system). Switching on and off is absolutely as simple as it gets. This is a winner if you want to switch off your electronics when not using them to save electricity.

You know, almost every single product now have a so-called “idle” mode and that’s where the energy and money are wasted. I have my router and modem plugged in the always-on outlet, along with my TV, PS3, sound system plugged-in the “Remote-Switched Outlets”. I’ve seen some people here mention about the remote not working, or whatsoever problem with it.

Here I got some little tricks for you:

I believe this remote would put itself into “idle” mode, therefore, if you simply just switch on and off, it might not work all the way you want. So, I recommend you press the same side down first, before you switch it to the other side.

Sounds complicated? here’s an example:

If your remote is on “I” (which means on, closed circuit), and you want to turn it off. You simply press down on “I” first (in my words- to wake the remote up), then switch it to “O” (off), vice versa.

I love this surge protector and am STRONGLY RECOMMEND it. Great product!!

So far they are working pretty good. Occasionally they do require a firmer or repeated pressing to go on or off but after several months so far it still works pretty good. Id recommend it. If it breaks I will update with an appropriate response.

Running one of these power strips on every TV and computer in the house

will easily knock $25 – $35 dollars a month off of your electric bill! Why pay the utility company for the time you NOT using your devices? In these days when utility rates

are jacked up so unjustifiably high you have do everything you can from being raped the by utility companies! These strips are wall mountable, have cable management hooks and the remote switch can be taped or screwed to the wall and should be placed next to a light switch to make sure it gets used. Bottom line it’s a little pricey but it will definitely pay for it shelf in 1-2 months time!

November 7, 2013 Outlet, , , , 0 Read more >

Great Energy Saving Surge Protector

This unit also has a remote control that I love. I have the items that I do not use all the time when I watch TV connected to the plugs that are controlled by the remote, so they are not powered up until I need them. The TV and U-verse box are plugged into the two receptacles that have power to them all the time, but all eight are protected.

In addition I have a networked file server in the same location that I didn’t want to shut down, so the power center was perfect for my needs!

Slim flat design makes it fit easily under things like cabinet or shelves. Widely spaced sockets accommodate brick style power supplies for devices like modems & routers. Clearly marked and laid out design allows easy set up and use.

I have a desktop setup in a room different from where my networking devices are housed, so I wanted to be able to shut down my internet/router if there was ever a need to (i.e. connection or system outage) without having to go to another room and then unplug each device and then reconnect them. I attached the remote switch to the desk in an out of the way location so it wouldn’t be mistakenly switched. It’s about 30 feet from the power strip and I’ve had it over 2 years, and it works perfectly. Granted I don’t switch things off an on with it constantly, just whenever it’s needed. So that maybe why I haven’t had any problems with the remote switch like others have had. I can highly recommend this for any kind of remote power switching for all kind of uses and would purchase another with out hesitation as the experience I’ve had so far has been great!

Which can be a pain if it is buried behind your desk and not easy to reach. But it works as expected and I figure it will pay for itself pretty quickly now that I am eliminating vampire power from a lot of computers and electronics.

The power strip was delivered on time in Amazon’s hassle-free packaging. The battery in the remote unit was dead so I had to replace it. The battery is commonly found in Staples, Office Depot, Radio Shack, etc. for $2-3.

The power strip itself seems to be well made. The build quality of the remote however could be better. The mechanism inside the remote provides for a cheap “click” feel. The remote does have an LED that is illuminated when it’s sending a signal to the power strip which is a nice.

Overall the remote and power strip works as advertised. I bought this item because I have a room which does not have a switch-controlled outlet. This power strip allows me to turn on and off a floor lamp when I enter/exit the room.

November 4, 2013 Outlet, , , , 0 Read more >

Really Cool Innovation, Saving $$$$$$

I was easily able to bring my electric bill down $50 with Belkin power strips. Personally I use this at an entertainment center so that with a flick of a switch TV/DVD/Game systems everything is off when I’m done using them though the cable box can stay on for recording. Although its bigger than I had imagined that’s only because there’s more plugs than an average power strip as well as more space between them so you can have AC Adapters plugged in as well.

I got this so I can control some of the light far far away at the other end of the room. So I dont have to get out of my bed and walk all the way to the end to trun off my lights in a freezing winter night.

Either way great product, high quality, would buy again. I use it on my fish tank to turn the pumps on and off for water changes but keep other devices on all the time.

Once I got all the plugs arranged where they were supposed to be, this turned everything off with just one click! Just great. Only thing, the remote needs to have clear ‘view’ of the main unit to have it read the ‘off/on’ signal. Not taking away any stars for this as it’s not an inconvenience at all. Just have to aim ‘high’ & directly at the receptacle. Highly recommend this product.

I purchased an AICO Michael Amini older style entertainment center for $250..I know, right???!!! It only came with the two tall tower sides, lighted bridge top, and shelf. It was purchased originally without the tv stand so I had to purchase that myself to accomodate our tv.

The older style AICO entertainment center side towers were made with wood shelves and no built in lighting so they are really dark. In addition, the doors have a tinted glass making them even darker so the pic frames etc you put inside don’t even show up.

So I went and purchased these buffet torchiere lamps, one for each side, and put one on the top shelf but I had an issue with being able to turn them on at the same time without having to reach for the thumb switches that are now hanging behind the entertainment center. I wanted to tie them in with the lighted bridge that had also had an inconventient switch that I had to struggle each time to reach (it is located on the bridge but it is 6 ft high).

I searched for switch that I could touch where all three could be connected together..and I found this here on Amazon for around $30 shipped. I was worried because it really seemed to great to be true but lo and behold it was PERFECT. All I have to do is turn on the lights by touching the switch (shown in picture) and it turns them on and off magically without a wire! YAY! All three are plugged into it and it works perfectly. Everyone who sees me turn on the lights in the ent. ctr. ask what it is and where I got it! I HIGHLY recommend!!!

November 3, 2013 Outlet, , , , 0 Read more >