Power management in appliances.

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

Saw this and think it is cute.
http://www.microfridge.com/consumer/...safe_plug.html
What it is.
A microwave uses a lot of power, but only for a short time.
A refrigerator uses a bit of power, but only when it is actually cooling.
So the refrigerator plugs into the back of the microwave.
While the microwave is cooking the refrigerator is off, limiting the amount of power used at that moment to a safe value.
This is not all that uncommon in Japan but an innovation in the US.
Also, in Japan this can be a part of a complete power management system, with a small air conditioner and perhaps a water heater being part of the package.
This does not decrease the use of energy, just manages it over time.

[N2NH]

Not a bad idea. Now how cheap is it? Living in a recession you know and...

GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY! It's up there. Not astronomically so, but up there...

When it becomes cheap enough, it'll have a better chance of going mainstream. Looks like the kind of stuff hotels would be interested in.

One thing... if you're charging via the plug set up and it's constantly going on and off isn't that exactly what you don't want to do to the battery in your Cell, H/T or other electronics?

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

It would appear that the cellphone and other appliances of low current are kept on.
And, there is no reason you could not make your own, the relay that energized the microwave would need to have 2 throw positions.
The position that is normally closed would provide power to the refrigerator.
The power bar for charging would be connected to the input proper.

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

For some reason,,,,.
I got the microwave put back together, this unit does indeed have a relay with a SPDT contact set.
It took all of an hour to drill a hole and add a junction box.
Now, when the microwave is on standby the refrigerator socket is hot.
The accessory socket that runs a power strip is always hot, 2 amp circuit breaker.
When the microwave is running the refrigerator is off.
The refrigerator now has a 3 minute delay after power is reapplied to prevent short cycle.
The power junction has an 11 amp breaker and AFCI/GFCI plus 5 and 2 amp breakers for the sockets.
This is mounted on a cart and so was very easy to do, diabetic bachelor.

[W1GUH]

Speaking of appliances, I need a service manual for my microwave - a recent RCA. I've found sites where you can pay to get one -- are there any where they're free? If not, who can recommend a site where you get your money's worth.

Back to topic --

OK...fridge turns off when you're nuking. How much does that save, really? I use my microwave with such a tiny duty () cycle that it doesn't seem like I'd ever notice the reduced energy use. Besides, it'd only save if the compressor is running on the fridge. Or do I have something wrong here?

[NQ6U]

What I want is "microwave" refrigerator. That is, a device in which you can place something that is at room temperature and have it cool down in a matter of seconds. Think of how useful that would be.

Yes, I do understand that it's impossible, at least with current technology, but that doesn't keep me from wanting one anyway.

[w3bny]

What I want is "microwave" refrigerator. That is, a device in which you can place something that is at room temperature and have it cool down in a matter of seconds. Think of how useful that would be.

Yes, I do understand that it's impossible, at least with current technology, but that doesn't keep me from wanting one anyway.

Yeah but not a lot of folks have a dewar of liquid nitrogen in the kitchen to cool down leftover chickens.

[PA5COR]

We have 20 Amp fuses and 230 volts.
4600 watts per group, i have 5 groups.
No need to switch off a device because another one is running too

;)

[kf0rt]

Speaking of appliances, I need a service manual for my microwave - a recent RCA. I've found sites where you can pay to get one -- are there any where they're free? If not, who can recommend a site where you get your money's worth.

Back to topic --

OK...fridge turns off when you're nuking. How much does that save, really? I use my microwave with such a tiny duty () cycle that it doesn't seem like I'd ever notice the reduced energy use. Besides, it'd only save if the compressor is running on the fridge. Or do I have something wrong here?

Seems like it'd only really be useful for places where there isn't enough current to power both, or for demand metering, where they add a surcharge for peak current used.

[W4GPL]

Speaking of appliances, I need a service manual for my microwave - a recent RCA. I've found sites where you can pay to get one -- are there any where they're free? If not, who can recommend a site where you get your money's worth.

Back to topic --

OK...fridge turns off when you're nuking. How much does that save, really? I use my microwave with such a tiny duty () cycle that it doesn't seem like I'd ever notice the reduced energy use. Besides, it'd only save if the compressor is running on the fridge. Or do I have something wrong here?

Check your PM..