[julianj]

I was in the ultra-cheap German supermarket chain LIDL today and for GBP 4.99 I got a monitor which plugs into electric sockets and tells you how much electricity you are using and (when you've programmed it) how much it cost.

LIDL's somewhat eccentric special offers generally go quickly so if you want one of these you need to go to a UK LIDL this week. (I don't know if LIDL has these items elsewhere in Europe...though I suspect that their special offer policy is EU wide - eg beach things in summer, etc).

I also recommend LIDL to the "bunker" hoarders: their stuff is very cheap, some is horrible, but I can recommend French Comte cheese (like Emmental only half the price) a lot of their booze (German Beer Law: much respect!, and their hardware is often made in Eastern Europe and is of good material and workmanship, IMO.

[Karl]

Checked out my local offer listing but can't find the item on this weeks list.

In support of your earlier statement I was very sceptical when I first bought some hardware from Lidl. Now being a regular shopper I would recommend checking them out. Their outdoor equipment had a two page review in the 'Great Outdoors' magazine last year, walking boots, poles etc. Everything rated and recommended from a magazine that is very specialised.

Just finished a can of their German Beer. Will have another look tomorrow morning!

[bellebouche]

Good spot. They do come around once a year or so at LIDL... I think I first saw one in the UK maybe three years ago. A fiver is not to be sniffed at and should allow you to spot any appliances that are badly behaved. It should pay for itself in short order... and then there is the sheer fun/nerd factor involved

In the UK... Maplin version - 25 quid.

Maplin are selling a version of the kill-a-watt meter for twenty-five quid at the mo so that makes the LIDL version look like a steal.


As for the rest of Europe.. they do sell them at LIDL stores in France at least, I saw one here last year for €8 I think so they're great value for money.

[Madpaddy]

I got the Maplin one for 16 euros but it must have been one of those special offers. Still twice the Lidl price though. Buy now.

[Oily_Bill]

I got the Maplin version last year. A very handy device.

Interesting results, eg fridge uses 1.25kwh per day. Pulled it out, stuck some insulating foil between the radiator coils and the fridge body, clean off the coils, moved the machine another inch away from the wall.... cut the usage to 0.9kwh/day.

Also found some devices which chew up power even in standby - eg entertainment center 40 watts, VTR 30 watts. Just keep them off now. I got hold of remote-controled sockets from Maplins again, that allow control of devices plugged into hard-to get at outlets - eg, behind the setee. Neat, allows me to keep eg the computer turned off when not actually using it

I estimate reduced electric use by 15% without any real 'lifestyle' impact whatsoever.

[Barbara]

This week in Italy they offer a great accumulator/battery multipurpose with many wires and switchable 9v, 12V etc for 19,90!!! (euro) Here is the photo/description: http://www.lidl.it/it/home.nsf/pages/c. ... essionale_

I was asking myself if you can plug in a PV in it without any other spending... anybody knows?

[Beat]

Hi Barbara,

I was looking for it too, I have the same question, since I have a portable pv that charge batteries, mobile phone etc..

I would be interested to buy too but at this time I haven't yet found the time to go and see it.

It seems that you can charge it only thru in wall plugin, I'd like to see the transformer spec. to understand if you could cut the cord and plug it directly to your pv modules.

Ciao,

Vito

[Beat]

I've bought it!

Yes you can charge the battery with inwall plug thru a transformer or from a cigarette lighter plug from another source like battery or PV.

Ciao,

vito