Voltage Optimisers is this going to save you ££££ what do you think

[Will Mcloughlin]

I'v been looking into voltage optimisers

are you really going to save money
boasts savings on 8-10%

reducing incoming voltage basicly a step-down transformer
and prehaps reduces heat loss from over voltage

lower voltage higher current?
I I believe it's to reduce
IR from the Kvar KV calc
any thoughts?

many thanks

will

 

[davesparks]

Anything electronic won't be affected at all as the power supplies will still use the same amount of power.
Heating elements will run at slightly reduced power but this will result in them taking longer to get up to temperature and so use the same, or possibly slightly more kWh.
Incandescent lamps will be slightly dimmer.

Generally speaking they don't achieve anything other than putting your money in the pockets of other people.

 

[sparkdog]

That's what I thought. Another money spinner for someone.

 

[ruston]

You would do better to think about what you do -tip one , don't fill the work vehicle with crap. It will cost you fuel and more wear and tear on the brakes and clutch etc.

 

[Pat H]

You would do better to think about what you do -tip one , don't fill the work vehicle with crap. It will cost you fuel and more wear and tear on the brakes and clutch etc.

And as important if not more. Don't thrash the van at 80mph down the motorway.
Its basically a motorised brick and the lost fuel as you push it past 40-50 MPH really stacks up.
I know hourly rates are high but the 10 mins you save on a drive are blown in fuel and wear and tear.

 

[ruston]

@Pat H You are right.
Years ago we had major road works on a bypass . They imposed a 50mph speed limit on it backed up by speed cameras. This road was a major traffic hold up . When the work was finished they lifted the speed restriction , about a year later they reimposed it as the statistics showed the traffic kept flowing better during the restricted speed.

 

[telectrix]

not only the fuel saving here. i generally cruise at a steady 60 on m ways and dual carriageways. gets me there a few minutes later, but more relaxed and less stressed out than if i'd been doing 80 and hitting the brakes all the time.

 

[ruston]

not only the fuel saving here. i generally cruise at a steady 60 on m ways and dual carriageways. gets me there a few minutes later, but more relaxed and less stressed out than if i'd been doing 80 and hitting the brakes all the time.

You are spot on. It is also the heavy braking that causes the tail backs in heavy traffic.

 

[davesparks]

Big Clive has a video on YouTube where he took one to bits and reviewed it,

 

[Will Mcloughlin]

so basicly stay away

Iv actually fitted two of these
threw a wholesaler
just wounderd if they work

they did a survey and said they could sAve a hotel 10 -12 grand a year
off a 120 grand lecky bill
(big hotel)

surely that's a ballsy claim
the unit itself would be around
30-40grand
which got me looking at bespoke units
and the cost keeps going up

is it good sales tactics or are people / business saving money

Inductive loads i guess wont positively effect
but it must be down to electronics
capacitive loads

 

[davesparks]

It is only resistive loads which will really draw less power when you lower the voltage, but they will have to be on for longer to do the same amount of work in the case of heaters or just be less bright in the case of lamps.
Electronics will generally draw more current at lower voltages to maintain the same amount of power.
Inductive loads like motors will do something that is beyond my knowledge but I'm pretty damned sure you'll end up putting more power in to the system to achieve the same amount of work.

 

[Gavin A]

Would you like some magic beans to go with that Voltage Optimiser?

 

[dmxtothemax]

All electrical loads require a certain amount of power to operate,
so if you adjust your voltage down, then the current rises to compensate
meaning the SAME amount of power is still used !
just in a different balance.
They are simply taking advantage of peoples technical ignorance.

 

[Taylortwocities]

 

[Besoeker]

A couple of years ago I was asked to do a review on one that was claimed to reduce energy consumption and this bills. It made my supply current look like this:

And saved no energy.