Power Usage - Ajarn Forum

DaveP · 10th May 2008, 23:59

Any electronics gurus out there?
A friend brought me a dehumidifier from the states, which is fantastic--much more comfortable in my (studio) apt. AND much better for my guitars than the normal 60-80% humidity. (For some reason, they're way more expensive here.)
'Course I had to get a power converter, since the US is 110 volts in contrast to 220 in LOS.
I had a tiny one that didn't provide enough "oomph" to run it, so went to pantip and found a shop with some hefty ones. They had a 300 watt one (around the size of a coffee mug?), a 400w one (a small cat?) and a 500w one (small loaf of bread?). I thought, 'what the hey, may as well get the big one'--didn't want to make another trip, in case still not robust enough.
And finally the gist: After about 25 days running the dehumidifier through it, my electric bill was about 1000B higher(!). Obviously undesirable.
And finally the question: Any clue if I got, say the 300w unit, if my bill should go down? My hunch is it's still powerful enough to run the dehumidifier.
TIA, DP

keeshou · 11th May 2008, 00:13

This should clear it up for you.

Appliance Wattage

Yes, the less wattage the lower your bill would be.

DaveP · 11th May 2008, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeshou

This should clear it up for you.
Appliance Wattage
Yes, the less wattage the lower your bill would be.

Thanks! Now I see in the manual the dehumidifier is 220w, so the 300w converter should do fine. But one further question/clarification: So, with the device running through the converter, basically I'm running TWO devices, right? Does the converter use 300w, even if I turn off the dehumidifier?
DP

Whitey · 11th May 2008, 02:25

Actually, the amount of watts that the dehumidifier uses is the same no matter if you use a 50w converter or a 5000 watt converter. The converter doesn't consume power. When it says 500 watts, that mean that it's rated capacity is 500 watts, which is roughly 20 some amps before it starts to melt the wires on the inside.

On that vain, I think many of us came to the conclusion in a previous thread that changing your transformer oil or using a higher quality transformer oil will actually help you save energy by consuming less watts. Based on Keeshou's post and the transformer oil thread, I think we are safe to assume that if you buy new transformer oil for your 500 watt converter, it might be able to produce 700 watts at the same price. Imagine the cost savings that you will have when the converter creates free energy.

http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/compute...tml#post673163 (Mac Book runs on 110 and 220v?)

DaveP · 11th May 2008, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitey

On that vain, I think many of us came to the conclusion in a previous thread that changing your transformer oil or using a higher quality transformer oil will actually help you save energy by consuming less watts.
http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/compute...tml#post673163 (Mac Book runs on 110 and 220v?)

Thankfully, the joint where I bought the transformer gave me a heads up on the oil issue. Not wanting to bother with it, I went for the optional attachment that siphons oil from a gallon container. This should help the unit last for as long as it is needed.

DP

Whitey · 12th May 2008, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveP

Thankfully, the joint where I bought the transformer gave me a heads up on the oil issue. Not wanting to bother with it, I went for the optional attachment that siphons oil from a gallon container. This should help the unit last for as long as it is needed.

DP

Of course you got the pump attachment, right? You want to make sure it circulates the transformer oil.

DaveP · 13th May 2008, 00:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitey

Of course you got the pump attachment, right? You want to make sure it circulates the transformer oil.

They suggested a modified bicycle pedal system for the pump, which has the side benefit of keeping my buttocks firm and attractive.