Looking for an hour meter.....

[Ray-CA]

I've done a search and found TONS of hour meters but they all require wiring into a panel etc. What I would like to find, if they're even made, is a meter that plugs into the outlet and I plug my appliance into the meter (kinda like a vacation lamp timer.)

Has anyone seen anything like this? Where to buy one?

Thanks,

Ray

 

[DenisG]

I've done a search and found TONS of hour meters but they all require wiring into a panel etc. What I would like to find, if they're even made, is a meter that plugs into the outlet and I plug my appliance into the meter (kinda like a vacation lamp timer.)

Has anyone seen anything like this? Where to buy one?

Thanks,

Ray

Google "Kill-A-Watt meter". It might be what you want. They can be purchased many places including amazon.com and Walmart.

 

[Norcal]

If you want a hour meter, what would be gained by just plugging it in? The meter would just run instead of running just when the load is running.

 

[ForceFed70]

If you want a hour meter, what would be gained by just plugging it in? The meter would just run instead of running just when the load is running.

He wants something that he can plug into the wall then plug his appliance into it. Like the Kill-a-watt except to measure run time instead of running wattage.

 

[Norcal]

He wants something that he can plug into the wall then plug his appliance into it. Like the Kill-a-watt except to measure run time instead of running wattage.

He asked for a hour meter, not a KWH meter, if he is asking for a KWH meter then the Kill-A-Watt is a good idea.

 

[Professur]

Get an old electric clock and splice it into the hot lead of whatever you're working with.

 

[nehog]

I have hour meters that have a magnetic pickup. Mostly meant to work with electric motors, but they do work with some other things too (something with either a motor or transformer.) If you want I can look up the model information and I think they can be bought on Amazon or eBay.

 

[Xicaque]

OP, what exactly are you trying to measure?

 

[ForceFed70]

He asked for a hour meter, not a KWH meter, if he is asking for a KWH meter then the Kill-A-Watt is a good idea.

WTF Norcal. Did you not actually read what I posted? It was only 2 sentences.

Let's revisit the 2nd sentence: "Like the Kill-a-watt except to measure run time instead of running wattage"

Yeesh - the only reason I was posting in the 1st place was because you didn't read the OP's post carefully either.

 

[Norcal]

WTF Norcal. Did you not actually read what I posted? It was only 2 sentences.

Let's revisit the 2nd sentence: "Like the Kill-a-watt except to measure run time instead of running wattage"

Yeesh - the only reason I was posting in the 1st place was because you didn't read the OP's post carefully either.

The OP asked about a HOUR meter, The OP asked about a HOUR meter,The OP asked about a HOUR meter,The OP asked about a HOUR meter,& the OP still has not returned to clarify the post, if he wants to measure usage, or time.

 

[Speedy Petey]

ForceFed, you're getting mad at Norcal when HE is the only one accurately answering the OP's question.

I also think he wants a watthour meter, but he specifically wrote hour meter. So.........until he returns to clarify do we just keep arguing?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

To measure time this way, you would have to have a meter that senses current flow, and when the current is flowing, the meter says "hey, its time for me to start running" and when the current stops flowing, the meter would have to stop recording time. The problem is, even when many devices, especially electronic ones, are turned off, they still draw current, the "hourmeter" would have to discern between wasteful idle current, and current being consumed while the device is running..

I've never seen a meter that would do this. I have a Kill-A-Watt and they work great for what they are, but they won't do this.

Charles

 

[ForceFed70]

OK so it must be only in my mind where "run time" and "hour meter" are the same thing. But I suppose run time would better denote some sort of cycle length timer.

Yeesh - I know what the OP wants. He said it very well in the original post.

 

[Ray-CA]

OP, what exactly are you trying to measure?

Just got back in town. I want to keep track of hours of use on my compressor so I know when to change the oil etc.

Thanks,

Ray

 

[nehog]

Just got back in town. I want to keep track of hours of use on my compressor so I know when to change the oil etc.

Thanks,

Ray

Then as I mentioned above, one of the magnetic pickup meters would be ideal. This is exactly the application that they are designed for.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Then as I mentioned above, one of the magnetic pickup meters would be ideal. This is exactly the application that they are designed for.

That or wire in a regular AC hourmeter as mentioned in another thread.

Charles