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SmartNow - Current Cost Energy Monitor Friends and Family Offers - 1 Week Only

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SmartNow - Current Cost Energy Monitor Friends and Family Offers - 1 Week Only
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Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 17:13 files.ozbargain.com.au (500 clicks)
Last edited 09/04/2013 - 17:55
offer1oroffer2

Just had this mail out occur:

For 1 week only, 2 'Friends and Family' deals from SmartNow

SmartNow sell an Energy Monitor that allows you to see your home energy consumption every 6 seconds so you can track your home usage… this then allows you to make intelligent decisions about your home usage and then help you save money.
You can add to the solution so you can monitor your solar, monitor individual plug sockets, send the data to an online portal so you can see your usage wherever you want.
More details about the Energy monitor can be found here: http://www.smartnow.com.au

Now cut and pasted below is the information on the friends and family deal:

A big hello from SmartNow, the official Australian importers and distributors of the Current Cost EnviR Energy Monitor.

For 1 week only we are offering 2 great offers to 'Friends and Families' … This offer has been emailed to our existing customers for you to use and if you want to, share with your friends and family.
Check it out:

Offer 1 - Get a pack of IAMs (RRP$119.95) and a USB (RRP$14.95) for only $89

Offer 2 - Get an EnviR kit (RRP$139.95), a pack of IAMs (RRP$119) and a USB (RRP$14.95) for only $209

To take advantage of each offer, visit the webshop, and select the 'kits' from the FF Temp category (or you can just use the URL's below) then enter the discount codes:
OFFER 1 - IAMs with USB
- http://store.smartnow.com.au/product.php?id_product=154
- discount code: offer1

OFFER 2 - EnviR, IAMs with USB
- http://store.smartnow.com.au/product.php?id_product=155
- discount code: offer2

We hope you find it useful.

Kindest Regards,

SmartNow Team
p.s. note only 1 voucher can be used per transaction

Other Power Meter

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closed Comments

  • jong on 09/04/2013 - 17:42
    +3

    this pack has the transmitter nad CT clamp…

    That sounds excruciating.

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 17:44

      lol - oops ..

  • willdog123 on 09/04/2013 - 17:44
    -1

    Saving energy by using energy to monitor energy to save energy = STUPID

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 17:47
      +1

      well It only saves you money if you use the information it provides you…. … so right for some people, not for all :-)

      To comment on how much it costs to run this energy monitor
      - the display is Mains powered (using 1 watt – it costs less than $1 a year to run)
      - The transmitter is run by 2 D Cell batteries with 7 year battery life.

      • UFO on 09/04/2013 - 18:21
        +1

        - the display is Mains powered (using 1 watt – it costs less than $1 a year to run)
        - The transmitter is run by 2 D Cell batteries with 7 year battery life.

        So I guess to update to willdog123's calculation:

        Saving energy by using energy to monitor energy to save energy = NOT STUPID.

  • jong on 09/04/2013 - 17:49
    +1

    You know, you'd have more success with this if you explained what it can do for people, rather than what it is.

    Also, if you clarified who can buy the thing - is it only existing SmartNow customers? And if so, why post it here if you've already emailed those customers?

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 17:52
      -1

      ahhh… good feedback… we'll update it now…

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 17:57
      -1

      also to answer your other question…. it is open to anyone who has the information (not just existing customers :-))

  • joiboi on 09/04/2013 - 18:00

    hi rep , is there intergration at pc level for this and also does it have api to data can be pulled from it ?

  • UFO on 09/04/2013 - 18:38

    Hey Rep,

    Good info/replies thus far, thanks very much.

    A couple of questions though, how accurate are your energy monitors?
    There's a lot of cheaper monitor systems out there, but some have copped a lot of flack for not being very accurate. There's also some info online that states that because the monitor isnt measuring actual power (just assuming it), these home monitors that work with clamps arent accurate and never can be. Looking online there's a fair few people that report different usage when getting their bills.

    Also, what's the warranty on the different parts?
    Those IAM individual socket transmitters and the display device in particular.

    And the transmission range? (if I have the display in the study, will it reach to the rear of the property where the pool pump is?)

    What frequency range to they operate in? ie Will they cause intererence with other wireless devices in my home?

    And in regards to the transmitter in the meterbox, does the CT clamp pierce the cabling, or just clamp onto the outside? I rent, and I cant mount anything permanent to the cables.

    Also, what would stop someone just coming along and taking the transmitter? Are these available separately for purchase if one gets taken or dies? And in that same question, being that they are battery operated, what's the warranty on the transmitter?

    I know its a lot of questions, but it's also a lot of money to be spending on an energy monitoring system ;).

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 19:00

      Hi,

      ok - so how accurate… we generally say 95% BUT (here come the caveats)…. it measures CURRENT and then using a set voltage (230, 240, 250, 260) will then show you power.
      .. but to give you an example my toaster is rated at 1kW and reads within 1% of that :-)

      There is a lot cheaper energy monitors …. we belive it is a case of 'you pay for what you get'.
      … e.g.
      - check out whirlpool to get less biased view than mine :-)
      - this solution is unique as the display can receive the signal from IAMs (plugs) AND CT clamps transmitters AND Optical readers
      - the software solutions are pretty mature
      - the CT clamp has gone through 3 revisions over the past 3 years each year improving accuracy
      … i am sure there is more :-)

      Warranty is officially 1 year but the reality is that we just normally replace any defects part that point (within reason) as it rarely goes wrong and if it does it is in the first week :-).
      Our focus is customer service rather than sticking to 365 days.
      If a lot of time has passed (e.g. closer to 2 years, then we try and offer some refurbished items …)… we are more happy in happy customers.

      Transmission range…. ok so 100 m direct line of sight but the reality is in a home environment with obstuctions 20-30 m. My study / display is at the front of the house and measure the pool pump at the rear ok.

      Frequency range - 433 MHz SRD band … we've never had returns due to interference and multiple units work happily (I have many many units in my home)

      The CT clamp is not invasive - it just clips over the live feed BUT in Australia it must be installed by a licensed electrician… NZ and UK you can do it yourselves.

      What stops someone taking a transmitter? well they are useless without the display… never known anyone steal one (that we've heard of)…. but you can purchase the separately (normally $69.95 (includes CT clamp).
      Warranty is same as above.

      I 'think' that is all… let me know if anything is missed or not clear.

  • Elijha on 09/04/2013 - 18:57

    I have a granny flat out the back of my place, that is effectively powered off of an extension from the house (not wired by me - previous owner, looks properly done, but not metered separately) would I be able to use this to measure the usage of that area. IE clamping that cable would be the same as clamping the mains?

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 19:05
      -1

      Yes -so the CT clamp can go around any LIVE feed -

      it doesn't distinguish between direction so must only be the live feed

      (so for example … if you think about a kettle - it's power cord has a positive and a negative in the power cord so the CT clamp would give a ZERO reading if you clamped it over that power cord as the positive would cancel the negative (of course that is why we have the IAMs to measure appliances :-))… but if you opened the power cord sheath (err… if you were an electrician of course) and separated the positive and negative and clamped the CT clamp around the LIVE it would then show a reading) …
      that is the principle behind the CT clamp and transmitter.
      … errr.. just to re-affirm though to measure a Kettle you would actually use the IAM product :-).. it was just an example)

  • wholistic on 09/04/2013 - 19:02

    Would this setup work on an off grid solar system?

    My solar power in remains in 24v DC to the batteries and is not inverted to 240v AC like in a grid connected system.

    Would this be able to monitor?

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 19:06
      -1

      So the CT clamp technology does not measure DC current, so sorry - no :-(

    • lomie on 09/04/2013 - 20:04

      You could try a Doc Wattson

  • yashyes on 09/04/2013 - 19:55

    Does it require qualified electrician to install the transmitter and CT, as it would cost another $100-$150. Also I believe the energy consumption won't be accurate because the calculations will be based on fixed user configured voltage, which would be 230V or 240V.
    Also I am planning to get solar installed and i doubt it will show both consumption and generation.
    I may better get zigbee based display which are meant to work with smart meters and are significantly cheaper.

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 20:02
      -1

      Hi -

      yes legally the CT clamp does need to be installed by a licensed electrician.

      With regard the consumption - so it isn't 100% accurate … but it does give you a really good picture of what you are using and also is one of the most accurate of these types of meters on the market.

      If you are planning on getting solar installed… then yes you can have one transmitter measuring the consumption, and one transmitter measuring the generation…. and then the display you can press the UP / DOWN button to see each one.
      These installation instructions explain in more detail:
      http://smartnow.com.au/helpdesk/knowledgebase.php?article=49

      A lot of customers use this solution for monitoring solar… and in fact get their electricians to install the same time as their solar is being installed.

      (you can also add the Current Cost bridge to it and post data to PVOutput.org which is really popular)

      i hope that all helps.

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 20:03
      -1

      … oh the solar is not as accurate as the voltage tends to fluctuate but gives a strong indication and solar companies do resell this solution as part of their offering.

    • lomie on 09/04/2013 - 20:07
      +1

      I have the EnviR and output to pvoutput.
      http://pvoutput.org/intraday.jsp?id=4091&sid=16764

      It outputs consumption and generation. I use PV bean counter which has a calibration feature so that I can tweak the output to match the daily generation as stated on the inverter. So it is now pretty accurate.

  • PlasticSpaceman on 09/04/2013 - 23:19

    My original Wattson (http://www.diykyoto.com/au/aboutus/wattson-classic) died a while ago….. Well, I suspect the transmitter died but in any case the Wattson no longer talks to the transmitter and no amount of fiddling/resetting will bring it back to life. Question I have is would anyone know if the sensor clips work with the EnviR? I ask as it would be a pain to replace plus I have three phase and solar so would need to buy extras…..

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 09/04/2013 - 23:28
      -1

      so not 100% sure BUT i doubt it. This is based on our experience of when Current Cost changed their CT clamps design to improve the accuracy. If we ignore whether the actual connector fitted into the transmitter… there is the consideration of the number of coils in the CT clamp that the transmitter is expecting to give an accurate reading :-(

      Really sorry about that.

      • PlasticSpaceman on 10/04/2013 - 08:47

        No problem, and makes sense. Cheers.

  • bbqninja on 12/04/2013 - 11:47

    Any chance you guys could do a third pack for those of us with e-meters?

    Eg a pack with an envir, accessory monitors, and the optismart?

    The transmitter and optismart cost the same so it'd be nice to be able to swap them out :)

    • Associateden6geh @ smartnow.com.au on 16/04/2013 - 22:03

      hi - yes … we only have a few optismarts left and waiting on stock… as soon as we have a bit more stock we are happy to do that :-)

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