OK, I';ve been hearing the commercials, and endorsements.
Is This a scam, or is it real?
I see prices from $300- to $500 plus installation. Whats a good "real" price? How much to install?
If I can save on my electric bill, I may want this; if its a scam, I need to know.

For those who don't know its basically a capacitor that gets wired in after your meter, and before your distribution panel. It stores electricty that is then used to supply the starting surge on electric motors.
That much seems to make sense to me, So I am ripe to be ripped off/ scammed. What is the truth?
Has anyone installed one? Do you have "actual use" figures on the savings?

I know that when people install gas-saving devices on their cars, they tend to drive in a more economical manner, and so somethimes, they see savings--but not due to the device; merely their new driving patterns. Is it the same with this, or is it real?

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

exploding capacitors are fun

Even if the device worked as advertised (which I sincerely doubt), the capacitor is charged with juice after the meter. When the capacitor is used to assist in starting the motors, it's done with electricity that is already bought and paid for.

Can't see any savings from that scenario.

solar powered flashlights? anyone? anyone?

If it looks like snake oil, smells like snake oil...

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

The only place I can see that working is a house with a hyperactive well motor or AC unit and it would still be minimal.

...but the ad speaks so highly of it.

And the testimonials are soooo sincere.....

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I sure hope so..........there's a sucker born ever minute.........

I'm pretty sure that there is a use for something like this in an industrial environment where most of the current is consumed by motors, which have a high lagging power factor (Oh SNAP - there goes my navy training again).

A place I once worked at (made aircraft parts, injection molding) needed a capacitor bank - they were getting charged a fee from the power company becuase their power consumption was mostly motors/lagging PF. according to the maintenance guy I talked to, all you needed to do was install this capacitor bank to "balance" the power out, and the fee would go away, but the plant manager thought it was a hoax so he never approved the funds for the capacitor bank.

On a factory - maybe. On a house ? never.

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
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12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

I know a guy who worked for the UI, there was one company I forget there name but they had some massive electric motors. When these motors started the surge would actualy cuase brown outs and they would get complaints!


Seems like a scam. The best way to save on the electric bill is to use less of it. Turn off all lights when you are not in the room, install engery saving appliances. Heck even hanging cloths up to dry vs putting them in the dryer.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

It will NOT save on your electric bill, unless you are being penalized for low Power Factor.

They are common in industry where high surge demand is required. Here in the NE they charge a premium for surge demand and monitor it. On residential house surge demand isn't that great unless you have several welders and a few 100 hp motors.

OK, I'm convinced. Not one credible word in its defense.
I put my credit card away.
Now I have to email my bank account information to some guy so he can put money in my account---I'll get $$millions........

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags