EcoSwitch

[David L. Jones]

Anyone know if something similar to this EcoSwitch is available?:
http://www.eco-switch.com.au

So simple, just a wired remote power switch. Looks ideal for several
applications I have, but it does not seem to be available. Latest news
says available in early 2008. So it seems a bit dead in the water.

Yes, I know I could easily make one myself, but I don't want to do
that. And yes, I know wireless remote switches are readily available
to, but I'd prefer a wired one exactly like the EcoSwitch.

Thanks
Dave.

 

[Don McKenzie]

David L. Jones wrote:

I've also made the same thing with a lamp cord switch. Would have to
be about 20 years ago now.

Where are the Chinese when you need'em? :-

Dave.

sort of thing I could use also.

I see the DSE wireless one:
http://search.dse.com.au/electronics/Remote%20Power%20Switch
is obsolete:
http://www.rockaroundtheblock.com.au/product.asp?pID=339&cID=79
no longer produced

Not a bad price, but if you can't get, or replace them easily, the wired
Ecoswitch type would be fine.


Don...

--
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[kreed]

On Dec 6, 8:13 am, "David L. Jones" <altz...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anyone know if something similar to this EcoSwitch is available?:http://www.eco-switch.com.au

So simple, just a wired remote power switch. Looks ideal for several
applications I have, but it does not seem to be available. Latest news
says available in early 2008. So it seems a bit dead in the water.

Yes, I know I could easily make one myself, but I don't want to do
that. And yes, I know wireless remote switches are readily available
to, but I'd prefer a wired one exactly like the EcoSwitch.

Thanks
Dave.

No luck, Tried the email (wouldn't mind a couple myself) all it did
was come back with an
automated response showing the data I had entered and NO list of
places to buy
By the look of the website and the blurb, nothing has happened there
for some time and
I wouldnt hold my breath.

ditto on Ebay.


Shame, Its a brilliant Idea, and I did see this on TV some time ago
(ABC inventors)
It should be a goer for many reasons. I have a feeling I have seen
something like this in
Big W or similar but could be wrong.

I made up a similar device some time back for the wife's computer, due
to inaccessible power point behind the
desk and its a brilliant setup, but like you and most others I would
prefer to simply buy something like this if the price was reasonable.

To anyone contemplating making one of these, for safety purposes, it
would be worth considering
using a double pole switch, though if you want to use a single cord to
the switch, it might not be possible unless
you can use 4 core mains cable and a double insulated switch and
enclosure (to avoid the need for an earth).

I used inline switches some years back (older model than the one shown
in the pic of the eco switch) and
they were all double pole anyway and well insulated housing.

 

[David L. Jones]

On Dec 6, 3:52 pm, kreed <kenreed1...@gmail.com> wrote:

On Dec 6, 8:13 am, "David L. Jones" <altz...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anyone know if something similar to this EcoSwitch is available?:http://www.eco-switch.com.au

So simple, just a wired remote power switch. Looks ideal for several
applications I have, but it does not seem to be available. Latest news
says available in early 2008. So it seems a bit dead in the water.

Yes, I know I could easily make one myself, but I don't want to do
that. And yes, I know wireless remote switches are readily available
to, but I'd prefer a wired one exactly like the EcoSwitch.

Thanks
Dave.

No luck, Tried the email (wouldn't mind a couple myself) all it did
was come back with an
automated response showing the data I had entered and NO list of
places to buy
By the look of the website and the blurb, nothing has happened there
for some time and
I wouldnt hold my breath.

Yup, I got the same response. It's a goner I'd say.

ditto on Ebay.

Shame, Its a brilliant Idea, and I did see this on TV some time ago
(ABC inventors)
It should be a goer for many reasons. I have a feeling I have seen
something like this in
Big W or similar but could be wrong.

Likewise, I'm sure I've seen something similar somewhere along the
line.

Everything is wireless these days though.

I made up a similar device some time back for the wife's computer, due
to inaccessible power point behind the
desk and its a brilliant setup

I've also made the same thing with a lamp cord switch. Would have to
be about 20 years ago now.

Where are the Chinese when you need'em? :->

Dave.

 

[Don McKenzie]

Bunnings have a whole heap of remote power adapters, can't remember
prices though.
Ebay have them too, like these:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/3in1-Remote-Power-Point-Bulk-pack-Excellent-Value_W0QQitemZ370124340698QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Electronics_Accessories_Remote_Controls?hash=item370124340698&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Dave.

Thanks Dave, with a bit of luck, I'll pop in and see Mr Bunnings in the
morning.

Don...


--
Don McKenzie

Site Map: http://www.dontronics.com/sitemap
E-Mail Contact Page: http://www.dontronics.com/email
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http://www.dontronics-shop.com/super4-usb-relay-module.html

 

[David L. Jones]

On Dec 6, 4:29 pm, Don McKenzie <5...@2.5A> wrote:

David L. Jones wrote:
I've also made the same thing with a lamp cord switch. Would have to
be about 20 years ago now.

Where are the Chinese when you need'em? :-

Dave.

sort of thing I could use also.

I see the DSE wireless one:http://search.dse.com.au/electronics/Remote%20Power%20Switch
is obsolete:http://www.rockaroundtheblock.com.au/product.asp?pID=339&cID=79
no longer produced

Bunnings have a whole heap of remote power adapters, can't remember
prices though.
Ebay have them too, like these:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/3in1-Remote-Power-Point-Bulk-pack-Excellent-Value_W0QQitemZ370124340698QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Electronics_Accessories_Remote_Controls?hash=item370124340698&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Dave.

 

[David L. Jones]

On Dec 6, 5:38 pm, Don McKenzie <5...@2.5A> wrote:

Bunnings have a whole heap of remote power adapters, can't remember
prices though.
Ebay have them too, like these:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/3in1-Remote-Power-Point-Bulk-pack-Excellent-Va...

Dave.

Thanks Dave, with a bit of luck, I'll pop in and see Mr Bunnings in the
morning.

Just to add, I'm talking about the big Bunnings "Warehouse" stores,
don't know about the smaller stores.
I've also been hassled by many spruikers flogging home Automation gear
in the Electrical isles, complete with display stands etc. Our local
Bunnings Warehouse has a whole isle of home automation stuff. You can
have fun with those people though ;-)

Dave.

 

[Don McKenzie]

Just to add, I'm talking about the big Bunnings "Warehouse" stores,
don't know about the smaller stores.
I've also been hassled by many spruikers flogging home Automation gear
in the Electrical isles, complete with display stands etc. Our local
Bunnings Warehouse has a whole isle of home automation stuff. You can
have fun with those people though ;-)

Dave.

Struth, nothing cheap at Bunnings along those lines.

Local DSE has run out of the main unit, but still has the slaves on
special. Useful as an ashtray on a motor bike.

Looks like the EcoSwitch is still my best option, if I could get them.

Don...


--
Don McKenzie

Site Map: http://www.dontronics.com/sitemap
E-Mail Contact Page: http://www.dontronics.com/email
No More Damn Spam: http://www.wizard-of-oz.com

http://www.dontronics-shop.com/super4-usb-relay-module.html

 

[Don McKenzie]

eco-switch wrote:

Anyway, your interests are fair and clear...when can we buy an eco-
switch?
The answer is...I hope early in the new year.
Sorry for the interminable delays, please trust me that I'm doing my
very very best. Beyond the eco-switch are other exciting inexpensive
energy abatement devices in development once this flagship product
gets up and out to you good patient people.
Please keep faith.

Hi Rod, if I were you, I would be letting the public know of the
problems you have encountered by placing this information at:
http://www.eco-switch.com.au/ so that you at least keep the project
active. A projected retail price may assist.

Certainly enough interested people in this group.
Good luck with it.

Cheers Don...



--
Don McKenzie

Site Map: http://www.dontronics.com/sitemap
E-Mail Contact Page: http://www.dontronics.com/email
No More Damn Spam: http://www.wizard-of-oz.com

http://www.dontronics-shop.com/super4-usb-relay-module.html

 

[eco-switch]

Greetings all. I am the inventor of the eco-switch and thus take
responsibility for it taking so long to get to market.
Almost 2 years ago I engaged the services of a particularly well
connected agent to procure manufacturing on my behalf in China. Some 8
months later no tooling, no manufacturing and $25kUSD out of pocket
due to his unscrupulous business practices.
Subsequently I sought the services of another agent who's now taken
another 8 months to do not much more than repeatedly fail safety
testing and generally mismanage the entire project.
This has been the most risky and financially testing business I have
ever been involved with, and I caution all you inventive types out
there.

Anyway, your interests are fair and clear...when can we buy an eco-
switch?
The answer is...I hope early in the new year.
Sorry for the interminable delays, please trust me that I'm doing my
very very best. Beyond the eco-switch are other exciting inexpensive
energy abatement devices in development once this flagship product
gets up and out to you good patient people.
Please keep faith.

 

[David L. Jones]

On Dec 9, 4:17 pm, eco-switch <r...@earthform.com.au> wrote:

Greetings all. I am the inventor of the eco-switch and thus take
responsibility for it taking so long to get to market.
Almost 2 years ago I engaged the services of a particularly well
connected agent to procure manufacturing on my behalf in China. Some 8
months later no tooling, no manufacturing and $25kUSD out of pocket
due to his unscrupulous business practices.
Subsequently I sought the services of another agent who's now taken
another 8 months to do not much more than repeatedly fail safety
testing and generally mismanage the entire project.
This has been the most risky and financially testing business I have
ever been involved with, and I caution all you inventive types out
there.

Sorry to hear that Rod.
Why not try bypassing these "agents"?
I know many people who get stuff manufactured and prototyped direct in
China without any hassles what so ever.
And there are companies who will just handle the safety testing and
approvals for you too.

All this hassle for a switch and some mains cord!

I agree with Don, an update on the website is well over-due. Stick a
real date on it to keep people interested (not "I hope early in the
new year")- you can always change it.

Anyway, your interests are fair and clear...when can we buy an eco-
switch?
The answer is...I hope early in the new year.

Great, how much? (roughly)

Sorry for the interminable delays, please trust me that I'm doing my
very very best. Beyond the eco-switch are other exciting inexpensive
energy abatement devices in development

Just don't make it one of those "energy saving" boxes with a cap in
it, or you'll be summarily hanged, drawn and quartered.

Regards
Dave.

 

[eco-switch]

And there are companies who will just handle the safety testing and
approvals for you too.

Thats under control, thanks

Great, how much? (roughly)

Under $20

Just don't make it one of those "energy saving" boxes with a cap in
it, or you'll be summarily hanged, drawn and quartered.

A "cap" in it???

 

[David L. Jones]

On Dec 9, 8:20 pm, eco-switch <r...@earthform.com.au> wrote:

And there are companies who will just handle the safety testing and
approvals for you too.

Thats under control, thanks

Great, how much? (roughly)

Under $20

Just don't make it one of those "energy saving" boxes with a cap in
it, or you'll be summarily hanged, drawn and quartered.

A "cap" in it???

Capacitor (for power factor correction).
See:
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_110502/article.html
and
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_109592/article.html
They are all the rage at the moment, people are being duped in droves.

Dave.

 

[Franc Zabkar]

On Tue, 9 Dec 2008 03:18:24 -0800 (PST), "David L. Jones"
<altzone@gmail.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

On Dec 9, 8:20 pm, eco-switch <r...@earthform.com.au> wrote:
And there are companies who will just handle the safety testing and
approvals for you too.

Thats under control, thanks

Great, how much? (roughly)

Under $20

Just don't make it one of those "energy saving" boxes with a cap in
it, or you'll be summarily hanged, drawn and quartered.

A "cap" in it???

Capacitor (for power factor correction).
See:
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_110502/article.html
and
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_109592/article.html
They are all the rage at the moment, people are being duped in droves.

Dave.

Are there any moves to mandate power factor correction for domestic
consumer equipment in the near future? Will domestic electricity
consumers ever need to worry about peak load penalties? It seems to me
that this is one obvious bandwagon that Australian Greenies haven't
yet jumped on (thankfully).

Ironically, in switching from incandescent bulbs to CFLs, we went from
an ideal PF of 1.0 to a PF of around 0.5. It might be difficult to
incorporate PFC in a CFL, though.

As for the Enersonic Power Saver, its makers claim that ...

"When buying an electrical appliance (eg. Washing machine) there is a
choice between an appliance of a 'high energy rating', which consumes
less electricity and costs more, or an appliance of a 'low energy
rating', which consumes more electricity but is cheaper to buy. The
Power Saver unit operates on a similar principle and converts the
whole electrical circuit to a 'high energy rating circuit' therefore
saving you money on your electricity bill."

http://www.gadgetguy.com.au/article.asp?id=&m_article=1941&article_pagePage=3

I wonder if anyone actually bought a "low energy rating" appliance
based on this claim? My refrigerator's energy rating reflects its
power consumption in kWh per year, not kVAh. Do other jurisdictions,
eg the EU which AFAIK mandates PFC, measure energy ratings based on
kVAh?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Franc Zabkar]

On Tue, 9 Dec 2008 02:20:06 -0800 (PST), eco-switch
<rod@earthform.com.au> put finger to keyboard and composed:

And there are companies who will just handle the safety testing and
approvals for you too.

Thats under control, thanks

What kind of approvals do you need before you can sell such a device
on the Australian market?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

 

[eco-switch]

On Dec 10, 7:12 am, Franc Zabkar <fzab...@iinternode.on.net> wrote:

On Tue, 9 Dec 2008 02:20:06 -0800 (PST), eco-switch
r...@earthform.com.au> put finger to keyboard and composed:

And there are companies who will just handle the safety testing and
approvals for you too.

Thats under control, thanks

What kind of approvals do you need before you can sell such a device
on the Australian market?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Extensive testing to a plethora of esoteric Aust/NZ Standards which
ones depending on the nature of the product, then Electrical Safety
Certification. Not for the light-hearted that's for sure.

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2008-12-09, Franc Zabkar <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote:

Ironically, in switching from incandescent bulbs to CFLs, we went from
an ideal PF of 1.0 to a PF of around 0.5. It might be difficult to
incorporate PFC in a CFL, though.

if it's only that bad, and CFLs are mrerly 3 times more efficient
it's still a reduction in distribution losses.

 

[Ken Parkyn]

David L. Jones wrote:

http://www.rockby.com.au/searchres.cfm?searchkey=mains&imageField.x=6&imageField.y=9&offset=21&stock_no=35397
stock number 35397

Anyone know if something similar to this EcoSwitch is available?:
http://www.eco-switch.com.au

So simple, just a wired remote power switch. Looks ideal for several
applications I have, but it does not seem to be available. Latest news
says available in early 2008. So it seems a bit dead in the water.

Yes, I know I could easily make one myself, but I don't want to do
that. And yes, I know wireless remote switches are readily available
to, but I'd prefer a wired one exactly like the EcoSwitch.

Thanks
Dave.