DIY Kyoto's Wattson

If you haven't been conserving energy like any good citizen of the world -- carpooling, turning lights off when you leave the room, keeping your defibrillator unplugged -- perhaps it's about time you took your energy output into your own hands. We've seen juice-monitoring solutions before, but the Wattson definitely takes the cake for style and simplicity, showing a running total of wattage output represented in a digital readout or ambient light -- it can also connect to your PC and record usage patterns. Unfortunately you're going to have to spend £350 ($600 US) to get one, and that's if you're lucky enough to snag one of the limited run of 250 they manufactured. Elementary, my dear... ahem.

[Via Inhabitat]

[dimitri @ Apr 3rd 2006 9:29AM]

Although it doesnt seem to matter to me how much energy output there is, I just think it matches well with my room and since it is on Engadget, is cool!!

cheers!

[John @ Apr 3rd 2006 9:38AM]

Maybe not as cool - but here's another option that works just as well and is only $30.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009MDBU/sr=8-2/qid=1144071400/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-6518041-6640946?%5Fencoding=UTF8

(or go to amazon and search for "P3 International Kill-a-Watt Electricity Usage Monitor")

Here's a review:
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/kill_a_watt_electric_usage_monitor_review

[Nogami @ Apr 3rd 2006 11:34AM]

I'd actually pay for something like this if they could make one that plugged directly into the main junction box (3-phase) and monitored power for the house as a whole (likely would have to be installed by an electrician, but that's reasonable).

If it was also a small wifi webserver then it would be easy to just take a browser and connect to it (with a password) and get graphs, data logs, etc of energy usage over time.

If it was under $200, I'd buy one!

[chris @ Apr 3rd 2006 1:18PM]

#3 - it does monitor the power for the house as a whole and it doesn't need an electrician to be installed. According to the website there is a sensor which goes near the home's power supply which then sends the information wirelessly to the display. I also think its worth paying �350 for it because with the help of the device you could save that money back within a few years.

[TIMMAH! @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:23PM]

What's wrong with just reading the power meter for the house?

[number6 @ Apr 4th 2006 6:38AM]

#3 There is another device available that does monitor 3-phase.
visit www.centameter.co.nz for more info of the device - I don't know where its available from in your area but I think you can find it locally if you know what to look for.

This device costs a fraction of the price of the Wattson - but admittedly it doesn't have the computer interface [or ambient display] but frankly those two features aren't worth the extra money that the Wattson charges.

The Centameter too uses a wireless link (433MHz) to send the power usage readings from your power meter to the portable LCD display and its "worldwide voltage" capable as in "Suitable for 110/220/230/240/250 VAC & 50/60 Hz"
The sending device and display/receiver are both battery powered so there is no issues with "the wrong voltage version".

I would expect that the website will take orders from overseas customers BTW: $NZD180 is about $USD110.

I have one of these and it works well. Maybe not as felxible as the P3 International device mentioned above, but certainly seems to offer most of the features of the Wattson device for a fraction of the price.

[number6 @ Apr 4th 2006 6:02PM]

Oh, I gorgot the mention, the CentaMeter is single pahse "out of the box" but has the provision to monitor 3 phase supplies - you need to purchase two additional sensors that you simply clip on to the (insulated) wires in your meter box.
Note: as the sensors simply attach around the insulated wires in your meter box it can be safely and legally installed by anyone without needing to involve electricians etc.
The website has good info including a photo of how it attaches inside your meter box.

[Jon Haire @ Jun 9th 2006 6:33PM]

I have read with interest the above responses and can inform everybody of a better system than any of the above mentioned.In developement,it will read power consumed/cost in real time/co2 emissions/electrical appliances by name even in standby mode.You can switch off any/all appliances remotely. Looking for company interest.Patent filed,prototype built.Other functions/features are available.

[Richard Tatlow @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:03AM]

I am looking for such a system to integrate into home computer systems and market - we can do the application software and possibly finance further development.

[Joel Hagan @ Nov 16th 2006 7:13AM]

Jon, please get in touch. I'm interested. Joel

[David Holder @ Jul 21st 2007 7:38PM]

Please contact me, I own a large consumer electronic manufacturing company (we make for many household brands), this sounds like a fun project and could even fit into one of our business units very well!
[e-mail]

[Brian C @ Nov 27th 2007 6:35PM]

Jon, I have been considering this myself and have done a little research. I also have a few ideas and happy to share with you. This is a reakl exciting project.

regards

[Paul Ogle @ Sep 13th 2006 7:47PM]

Jon Haire,

I am interested in knowing more about your device. I have an immediated need for a device like this.

Paul (USA)

[preston booker @ Oct 1st 2007 2:28PM]

Paul,

Please contact me regarding your need for this typ of device. Would like to chat further.

Best,

Preston
707-799-3216