Posted February 17, 20205 yr Hi All I would like to start looking closely at my current consumption on devices and circuits and by doing this start eliminating high usage items that can be replaced with more energy efficient ones. What is everyone using for this? I saw this and looks like a good option with clamp or even building it into an enclosure where something can plug into it. https://www.banggood.com/PZEM-022-Open-and-Close-CT-100A-AC-Digital-Display-Power-Monitor-Meter-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Frequency-p-1356031.html?rmmds=detail-top-buytogether-auto&cur_warehouse=CN Any suggestions?
February 17, 20205 yr 11 minutes ago, Tsa said: What is everyone using for this? Way back when I did this (we're talking around 2013/2014), I used the good old OWL meter, which was later sold under the Efergy brand. This looks similar in operation to the Banggood one you linked. The thing to remember with these is that they are not accurate. They measure only the current (using the clamp) and because they don't have a voltage measurement they can't measure true power. They are also not that accurate once you go below 100W. That does not mean they are useless. They are excellent at finding the big items, just don't expect the numbers to be accurate, it can be as much as 10% off in my experience. The second item I used, is a plug-in energy meter. Basically like the Kill-a-watt you get overseas. Those are more accurate, but they are meant to measure a single appliance. This is also very useful, by plugging in various appliances for a day or two, you can get an idea of what their requirements are. Finally, if you want to move up a notch, you can install a Carlo Gavazzi meter in your distribution board, and read the energy counters using the Windows software that comes with it, or you could run Venus (Victron's software) on a Raspberry Pi and have it log to VRM. But now we're talking on the other side of 2k ZAR. Still, if you're thinking of a future Victron install, this won't be money wasted.
February 17, 20205 yr 16 minutes ago, plonkster said: Finally, if you want to move up a notch, you can install a Carlo Gavazzi meter in your distribution board, and read the energy counters using the Windows software that comes with it, or you could run Venus (Victron's software) on a Raspberry Pi and have it log to VRM. But now we're talking on the other side of 2k ZAR. Still, if you're thinking of a future Victron install, this won't be money wasted. I forgot about this option, thanks for reminding me.
February 18, 20205 yr Author Thanks guys. Seems like that at a 1/4 of the price the China option might not be too bad.
February 18, 20205 yr Also have a look at a DIN rail 45A unit sold by RS Electronics. It has a display giving all kinds of reading, W VA V, phase angle etc. It also has s RS485 bus. I'm reading mine using a Tasmota device with a RS 485 converter. https://za.rs-online.com/web/p/digital-power-meters/8718302/?sra=pmpn
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