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Most devices which turn on and off with a remote control (tvs, stereos, dvd players, etc.), don't really turn off.
They go into "standby mode," in which most of their functionality is off, but they're still drawing some AC power, in order to percieve the signal from the remote control, so they can
turn back on. Devices which draw power in this way are called energy vampires. As much as 40% of the electricity that's used to power home electronics is drawn when they're switched off.
This idea is a way to turn devices on and off with a remote, without them drawing any power when they're off.
Basically, have two circuits -- the main one, and the on/off one.
The main circuit gets it's power through a mechanical on-off switch, which can be controlled by a button on the front of the device. When the off switch is off, the main circuit is really and truly off.
The secondary circuit is powered by a rechargable device (a battery, capacitor, flywheel, etc.), which is recharged by the main circuit when the main circuit has power.
The secondary circuit includes an infrared photosensor, a processors to determine if the signal seen by the photosensor is an on/off signal intended for this device, and an electromagnet capable of moving the mechanical on-off switch that powers the main circuit.
An optional addition to the secondary circuit might be a clock (though probably not a display for it).
This one says 8-10 %, but I still think that's an overestimation
http://www.biggreen...home/standby-button
[21 Quest, May 22 2009]
What Wiki has to say
http://en.wikipedia.../wiki/Standby_power
[21 Quest, May 22 2009]
Wait a sec... I *knew* I'd seen this before!
Physical_20Turn-off_20Strap-on_20Remote
[21 Quest, May 27 2009]
[link]
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Seems like an obvious solution. I wonder if Energy Star appliances use something like this. |
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This would have been a nice idea 10-20 years ago, but most appliances use very little power when in standby these days. This idea reminded me to get a mains power meter, so I'll get back to you after I've measured the TV etc. Expecting the result to be 1 cup of tea = 3 months of tv on standby. |
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One could have a physical off switch. The switch would be attached to the power cord and would be activated by tugging mightily. One might want to wear safety goggles for switches on long cords, in case the metal prongs came whipping up and thwacked your eyeball. |
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How does this save anything? The secondary circuit still uses power, which still has to come through your meter. |
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//As much as 40% of the electricity that's used to power home electronics is drawn when they're switched off.// |
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I seriously doubt that percentage. I saw something about that on a British news network (Cisco) a few weeks ago, and a guy actually did a complete study on how much drain appliances actually use in standby mode, by using a watt meter on every appliance in his home. He measured each appliance when it was turned on, then measured each one when it was turned off, and it turned out that the energy draw when the appliances were turned off was extremely insignificant. I think he said the total power draw when everything was in standby mode was equal to a single, low-energy lightbulb being left on all the time. That ain't 40 percent, not by a longshot. |
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Wikipedia puts standby power at up to 22 % of appliance consumption, and concurs with the site in my link about the 10 % figure for total household consumption. But when you consider that most of the standby appliances in many people's homes are left on intentionally (like alarm clocks, microwave and stove clocks, coffee pot clocks and timers, VCR clocks, computers, home security systems, etc.), the few that you actually want to turn off completely, like TVs and AC adapters, amount to such a miniscule power drain that you'd spend more money on replacement appliances with your proposed modification than you'd likely save in several years. |
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Cup of tea vs TV: Kettle is 2kW, TV on standby 1W. Thats (assuming 2 min boil) 4000 mins standby per cup of tea (3 days). |
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The 40% that I quoted isn't a ratio of standby power used to total household usage, it's a ratio of standby power used to total energy used *by appliances which are put into standby mode*. |
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If you have *just* a DVD player on a meter, and compare how many kilowatt hours of energy it uses in standby power over a year, and how many khw it uses total over a year, then you'll see a number like 40%. |
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Still a little high according the sources I found, which put it at about 22% of appliance consumption. I realize we're nearly splitting hairs here, but I still don't think your solution is going to be very cost-effective. Mind, this *is* the Halfbakery, so I'm not fishboning it on those grounds. |
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Edit: Actually, this is very similar to an existing idea (linky) |
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Except, of course, that there are two differences between my idea and the linked idea... |
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Firstly, my idea uses rechargable batteries in the reciever (which are recharged only when the appliance is turned on). |
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Secondly, and much more importantly, since my idea incorporates a mechanical switch into the appliance, such that pressing the off switch (or turning it of via remote) really and truly does stop the flow of AC power into the device. |
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The linked idea merely depresses the on/off switch on the outside of a regular appliance... and as you yourself said, /Even if you turn it off using the button, it can still be turned back on with the remote./ Which of course means that merely pressing the off button doesn't turn off a regular remote controlled appliance. |
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Now, if you took a regular remote controlled appliance, and plugged it into a power strip, and then applied dbmag9's strap-on remote to the power strip, then you'd have something like my idea. |
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I see... my mistake, good Baker, I misunderstood. That's why I withheld my vote. Even a Baker as seasoned to perfection as I am is capable of a mistake or two, once or twice every decade or so ;-) |
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I've measured all my appliances with a Killawatt ($20 USD, simple device). The "vampire" energy is just as much a myth as real vampires. Most devices do something similar to what you describe, but do it better already built in. The drain when "off" or on standby is rarely even measurable. |
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This is just a bogus claim that likely applies only to very old devices (<15-20 years old). The general rule is: if it makes noise or is hot, then yes, it's still using energy. Otherwise, rest assured that it's not where you need to worry. If you're like most people reading the HB (under age 50 and/or tech savvy in the least), you have decently modern devices. |
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All that above, is coming from a passionate energy conservationist... me! I have measured, and made improvements where it matters most! (Hint: Use a clothesline, in the garage, not the dryer. Make sure your fridge is energy efficient, with the door open rarely, etc.) |
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