P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor
by P3 INTERNATIONAL
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List Price: Our Price: $22.41 You Save: $37.54 (63%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor
Customer Review: Awesome!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The P3 International P4460 Kill-a-watt monitor is a great product. Yes it would be nice if you could read the display unit without having to getting down on your hands and knees when you have it plugged into an outlet on a lower wall level, but other than that, you'll love this product.
I've always wondered how much electricity I was using by running a refrigerator in my garage and also if I would benefit by buying a newer, more energy efficient dehumidifier. This device helps by allowing you to see how much your paying by the day, month and year to operated such electronic devices.
Piece of advise, keep a copy of your most recent electric bill so that you can enter the cost per killawatt that your local electric company is charging you. You will need this info to get an accurate reading of how much you're paying to operate all your electrical devises.
I consider this product a must buy. It will pay for itself over the long haul.
-RB
Customer Review: Works well - I agree with other views except:
Summary: 4 Stars
I think that the other reviews here have accurately discussed the benefits of this:
- calculates the power cost of a device for you (if you know your electricity rate)
- doesn't lose data during a power outage
- kind of a pain to read, since it is plugged straight into the wall
But what caught me by surprise is that you can't actually see how much power is being used right now. It displays kwh (kilowatt hours), but not watts. So, if you are trying to figure out the power is being used by activities in a big computer server, it will be hard. I can see that it draws around 300 watts on average (you have to calculate that based on time and kwh), but I can't tell how much energy is used when certain operations are being done (boot up, raid verification, etc)
So, while this will help me make some more informed decisions, I'm a bit confused why it can't just display watts over some reasonably small time period.
Customer Review: Better than I thought.
Summary: 4 Stars
I originally avoided the kill-a-watt meters due to concerns about accuracy and bought a competing brand. The competing brand went belly up so I had to get one of these.
I think the kill-a-watts improved a lot and I like it now. The accuracy seems to be there compared to my more expensive units (note that the usual exceptions apply, this won't work for fridges etc).
The usage is a little bogus, or more than a little. What I want to know is how many watts are flowing. I don't care about anything else. This functionality is now hidden behind a two-level menu. The top-level buttons only display fluff.
No battery buffer, unlike the other brand I bought (which was also cheaper). Come on people. Stupid retail packaging, too. If I wanted scratches I'd go to the zoo and pick a fight with a cougar.
But it's worth a 4 star now. I had lower expectation but overall this particular kill-a-watt now works as it should.
Customer Review: great little gadget!
Summary: 4 Stars
A very easy to use device for tracking electricity consumption of various items around the house. Once you set up your electric rate (cents per kilowatt), it does the rest.
It measures & calculates consumption from an hourly perspective, all the way up to a full year. I don't think this is intended to be a super high accuracy device - but comparing the power usage (in watts, VA, etc), it's pretty close to what the electrical device states on the label.
If you are using a device that cycles on and off (eg, refirgerator/freezer, dehumidifier, computer, etc), the longer you leave it attached to the Kill-a-Watt monitor the more accurate the calculations will be.
My only gripes about the product are that a backlight would have been nice (it's hard to read the display from an angle), and a built-in power cord to plug it in would make things a little easier for the hard to reach areas. Other than this, I'm quite satisfied with my purchase.
Customer Review: P4460 Kill A WATT EZ
Summary: 4 Stars
I am a broadcast engineer and I frequently need a device to check electrical loads as part of system planning. I found the P4460 does exactly what it says it does, it is simple to use and accurate. Very handy where an Amp probe can't be used. I give it a high rating.
However, there are some things I would like to see changed. The plug on the rear of the unit does not rotate and I found a number of power outlets that are horizontal, which means the device mounts sideways and is difficult to read in that position - especailly since the meter rests flat against the wall. A rotable plug would make it much easier to use.
Better yet, put a recessed female plug on the back. As it is now, the plug on the back sticks out and makes it difficult to store.
In either case, a VERY short power cord should be included. That way the unit can be viewed properly -- not sideways or in a difficult to use position.
Al Antlitz