Smart meter monitors what good are they?

[ericmark]

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We all have seen the adverts, and I have at long last got a smart meter fitted, which was needed in order to get paid for electric exported but the monitor seems about as much use as a chocolate fire guard, for most of the day I get two displays

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Importing 1.jpg (122.81 KiB) Viewed 233 times

it flashes between the two on a good day around 1 pm it starts to show export, but nothing I can really do with that info, when I see going to be a sunny day the washing is done, but sun through the windows tells me battery will get full.

Around 7 pm to 9 pm the battery is down to 10% depending on the day, this time of year, and we start to see what is being used, but then we go to bed, so what is the point of the monitor? I tried fitting batteries so I could take it around the house, but in spite of having a place for batteries it did not work, found the instructions for the monitor it seems some do connect to wifi, but not mine, so next was look for on line apps.

The on line app is two days behind, so that's a but useless.

I can monitor what I am using with the solar software, I also have three plug in monitors, and two clamp on ammeters, so I can see what I am using and where, the only reason to get the smart meter was because it is required to get paid for export, it is likely I can also now save money by using a split tariff, so good reason for the smart meter, but as to the monitor, what is the point?

[aeromech3]

Mine is a rechargeable unit and occasionally I plug it in; the reception range from the meter is about 4mtrs and so I cannot take it to the kitchen. I compare my cooking methods for fun; as I cannot use a clamp meter without separating the +tve and -tve leads to the hot pot, microwave, induction plate, and pizzeria, how do you do it Eric ?

[Someone-Else]

I am sure he has said before, he has the same as I have, plug in energy monitor. Get one from Click me

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I also think he said he has "smart adaptors" like this one

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But these I would NOT recommend as they only have a small relay inside to switch on /off, so they will not last long and if you plug in a big load, the relay will fail, and may cause a fire. (Ok for small loads, table lights) with the app, you can not only turn it on or off, but you can see how much power is being drawn, and how much was drawn over I think the last 24 hours, I only use mine to turn a device on or off, not interested in how much power is being used.

[ericmark]

The oven I can't really measure, nor the shower, without a lot of messing around. Most other items as said I have three plug in energy meters, one can be switched on/off from PC, and other one just shows what is used on PC and last stand alone like @Someone-Else shows.

As to grouped together to solar software shows import, export, used, generaed, and stored and as long as phone reception I can view it. But with freezers, and central heating running it is rare to show zero being used.

So to try to compare a microwave with kettle is impossible with a measure all device, and the app on the phone last reading is 26th Feb over 4 days ago.

OK I did not really expect to clap hands to turn lights on/off, I have to say hey Google to do that, but the monitor does nothing which I can't do better with existing meters.