Power panel

  • Thread starter Thread starter JimL
  • Start date Start date
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JimL

I have an old fashioned AC power control panel that has a row of switches
across the front of it to turn different stuff on and off plus 1 master
switch. This one happens to be the style that you could set a CRT on top
of, but I don't need that. But it has 5 switches and outlets, while I have
8 things plugged into it and need more - meaning I have to turn some things
one when I don't need them.

Does anyone know of a panel you can get with more controls on it? (No need
having a dozen wall warts drawing current all the time.) The ones I see
have 5 or less.
 
JimL said:
I have an old fashioned AC power control panel that has a row of switches
across the front of it to turn different stuff on and off plus 1 master
switch. This one happens to be the style that you could set a CRT on top
of, but I don't need that. But it has 5 switches and outlets, while I have
8 things plugged into it and need more - meaning I have to turn some things
one when I don't need them.

Does anyone know of a panel you can get with more controls on it? (No need
having a dozen wall warts drawing current all the time.) The ones I see
have 5 or less.
Click to expand...

Here's something along those lines with 7 outlets, but no master:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0688EK2C3B3PRAAMCN2Y

I suppose you could, with some short extensions, pile up all your warts
on that one.
 
Does anyone know of a panel you can get with more controls on it? (No need
having a dozen wall warts drawing current all the time.) The ones I see
have 5 or less.
Click to expand...

I organize all my gear into 3 sets of surge protectors: one for stuff
that's always on, one that is for rarely used devices that is only
switched on when needed, and another for things that are always on when
I'm home.

I just switch the last one off when I leave, and that's convenient
enough for me.
 
JimL said:
I have an old fashioned AC power control panel that has a row of switches
across the front of it to turn different stuff on and off plus 1 master
switch. This one happens to be the style that you could set a CRT on top
of, but I don't need that. But it has 5 switches and outlets, while I have
8 things plugged into it and need more - meaning I have to turn some things
one when I don't need them.

Does anyone know of a panel you can get with more controls on it? (No need
having a dozen wall warts drawing current all the time.) The ones I see
have 5 or less.
Click to expand...

I find it hard to get my mind around someone having so many items to switch
on and off but that is just me. Perhaps you need to rethink how you do some
basic things. For example, if you have some items that are switched on and
off together and have their own wall warts and use a relatively low power
(2A and 5V) you might be able to use something like this:
http://www.gomadic.com/quadcharger.html This unit is made mostly as a
charger for multiple mobile devices but the Gomadic chargers I have seem to
work just as well for operating the devices too. Their multiple-output auto
units are a great mess eliminator -- run the GPS and charge the phone or
run the MP3 player at the the same time with a single plug.
 
John McGaw said:
I find it hard to get my mind around someone having so many items to
switch on and off but that is just me. Perhaps you need to rethink how you
do some basic things. For example, if you have some items that are
switched on and off together and have their own wall warts and use a
relatively low power (2A and 5V) you might be able to use something like
this: http://www.gomadic.com/quadcharger.html This unit is made mostly as
a charger for multiple mobile devices but the Gomadic chargers I have seem
to work just as well for operating the devices too. Their multiple-output
auto units are a great mess eliminator -- run the GPS and charge the phone
or run the MP3 player at the the same time with a single plug.
Click to expand...

I guess how many things you are switching might depend on your reason for
switching.
If you figure it's no big deal to let wall warts run most of the time you
would see it differently from someone who wants anything that isn't being
used to be off. (My neighbor pays over $300 a month for electrocity. I now
pay around $50. He uses a heat pump while I use resistance heat and huge
piles of insulation.) I don't use a desktop any more, but it turned out to
use around $30 a month - daytime only.

So far I have no two wart output voltages the same.

I'm already stacking things on the 120V side, like the modem and the router
are on the same switch but aren't necessarily on when the computer is. 3
external drives need to be on only occasionally, but at widely varying
times. My extension speakers require separate juice but can come on with
the laptop.

The cell phone charger is used rarely. As is the printer.

Thanks
 
JimL said:
I have an old fashioned AC power control panel that has a row of switches
across the front of it to turn different stuff on and off plus 1 master
switch. This one happens to be the style that you could set a CRT on top
of, but I don't need that. But it has 5 switches and outlets, while I
have
8 things plugged into it and need more - meaning I have to turn some
things
one when I don't need them.

Does anyone know of a panel you can get with more controls on it? (No
need
having a dozen wall warts drawing current all the time.) The ones I see
have 5 or less.
Click to expand...


I have just bought a controller with 8 switched outlets. The only problem
is that it has no master switch, but there is room on the front panel to put
one in yourself.

Since it is in rack mount configuration I cut off the mounting ears on each
end and use it on my desk.

http://www.cheapdjgear.us/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=E-107&Show=TechSpecs
 
kony said:
Nice price for what it is... though I suppose you'd need to
add rubber feet on the bottom to keep it from scratching up
some desk surfaces.
Click to expand...


I think you can find it cheaper. I've seen something like it for $15, but I
was unsure of exactly what I was getting there. This one has a total AC
load capacity of 15 amps. It's made for lighting control.

Without the ears it's 17 inches wide.
 
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