ec-users

Projects

Page history last edited by Soren 2 mos ago

(Actively-changing projects are linked to the main page)

put things on power strips you can easily turn off
put a lamp cord switch into the cord for a pesky appliance (e.g. boombox; batteries may preserve settings)
install a mechanical timer on your bathroom fan so you don't leave it running
use Radio Shack X-10 controllers to turn (e.g. networking) equipment on only when you need it

Hack a Kill-a-Watt - awesome!
install a time of day thermostat on your water heater
- In warmer months, Soren discovered his pilot light provided enough heat for a daily shower
- Steve G. suggests that reducing heat loss through the flue increases the pilot's effectiveness
- With 60 degree ambient temperatures, Soren has started experimenting more
  - It takes four minutes to bring the tank to "lukewarm" just before a shower
  - It takes 16 minutes to bring it up to the same point just after a shower
  - ~24 hours of pilot light after "lukewarm," the water was noticeably warmer
  - HES post about the water heater
somehow attach a mechanical timer to a periodic use item like a microwave
build a power strip with a built-in mechanical timer for charging
low-power Solar-Powered PC
Cooler Meter
Simple Solar Oven / Fast Solar Cooker (pnorth says she'll buy one)
Solar Bike Light Charger
Vampire Replacement
Wheel Generator (http://www.los-gatos.ca.us/davidbu/pedgen.html#FAQ mentions 5% diode loss in rectification AC->DC)
get a sink in your kitchen that drains to the yard for watering plants with "greywater"

Remaking America edition has wireless Kill-a-Watt, etc
Wind Powered Generator
okay, I swear there was a perfect windmill from junk (workshop?) on makerfaire.com, but when I clicked, another picture loaded and I can'd find it