View Full Version : The Switchers Are Coming
The California Energy Commission has just published an efficiency standard dated April 2005. It requires that by 1 July 2006 most appliances made or sold in California meet state mandates for efficiency. For example, single voltage external power supplies* of between 51 and 250 watts must be 84 percent efficient, and consume not more than 0.75 watts when not under load.
I don't see an exemption for what we build ourselves.
Source: California Energy Commission
CEC 400-2005-012 (http://energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-012/CEC-400-2005-012.PDF)
Also affected will be lighting; we may expect an increased use of RF lighting and ballasts.
Don't think to wash off the smell with a hot shower, either:
The flow rate of showerheads, lavatory faucets, kitchen faucets, lavatory replacement aerators, kitchen replacement aerators, wash fountains, and metering faucets shall be not greater than the applicable values shown in Table H-1. Showerheads shall also meet the requirements of ASME/ANSI Standard A112.18.1M-1996, 7.4.4(a).
* Power supplies, which are single voltage external AC to DC and AC to AC power supplies included with other retail products, and single voltage external AC to DC or AC to AC power supplies sold separately; and consumer audio and video equipment, which are televisions, compact audio products, digital versatile disc players, digital versatile disc recorders, and digital television adapters.
Get your linear, RF-quiet power supplies while you can!
Cortland
KA5S
One more reason many of us would never live in the People's Democratic Republic of California.
Some of us even pray for a secessionist movement in Sacramento.
Enjoy the Kool-Aid.
wa6itf
01-28-2006, 08:25 PM
Quote[/b] (ka5s @ Jan. 23 2006,14:30)]I don't see an exemption for what we build ourselves.
How about we "get real" about this. No "exemptiopn" is needed.
1: Two-way radio gear is not considered consumer electronics -- with the exception of scanner radios.
2: The State of California is not going to waste its time going door to door to see if some ham built himself a non-state certified power supply. As looney as we are out here in LaLa Land" we are not that absurd.
3: The "law" is about 10 years behind reality. It has been years since the consumer electronics industry has used heavy iron supplies. Even some of the new stuff that comes with wall-warts are switchers. Its not being done for "efficiency." Its because switchers are cheaper to build -- especially using i/c's specific to the job.
Are switching supplies noisy? Some are. Some are not. Its the luck of the draw. But they are the wave of today and of the future.
de
Bill P. / ITF
WD8OQX
01-28-2006, 10:54 PM
Kinda reminds me of an episode of "King of the Hill" were Hank was fighting an ordinance about toilets - the toilets were supposed to save water but required up to 6 flushes to get all the stuff down.
Look for a lot of power supply bargains in June 06! My Diamond GZV-4000 would not make it (80% efficiency), and I really like this power supply. I believe there is also a lead-free requirement. Computer prices are going to go up in Cal too because the cheap supplies aren't going to be acceptable. Ham equipment is exempt from type acceptance most of the time, but power supplies can be used for many things and I believe they are subject to these regulations.
Actually most of the loonies are not FROM California, they just keep drifting to the left until they get to the ocean and have to stop. Then they start whining. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I was born and raised in California, came to Western PA to visit in 1973 and I'm still here. Go Steelers!
73 all, Mike w3mz
Oops, SINGLE voltage supplies only. That makes a difference. Mine is exempt and computer supplies too! Arnold is Alright
Quote[/b] (wa6itf @ Jan. 28 2006,13:25)]Quote[/b] (ka5s @ Jan. 23 2006,14:30)]I don't see an exemption for what we build ourselves.
How about we "get real" about this. No "exemptiopn" is needed. #
1: Two-way radio gear is not considered consumer electronics -- with the exception of scanner radios.
2: #The State of California is not going to waste its time going door to door to see if some ham built himself a non-state certified power supply. #As looney as we are out here in LaLa Land" we are not that absurd.
3: #The "law" is about 10 years behind reality. #It has been years since the consumer electronics industry has used heavy iron supplies. #Even some of the new stuff that comes with wall-warts are switchers. #Its not being done for "efficiency." #Its because switchers are cheaper to build -- especially using i/c's specific to the job. #
Are switching supplies noisy? #Some are. #Some are not. #Its the luck of the draw. #But they are the wave of today and of the future.
de
Bill P. / ITF
1. Yes, 2-way radios, such as CB, Amateur, FRS, etc definitely ARE considered consumer electronics. We are consumers, not professionals, by definition.
2. There is no way to assure that, and recent history suggests otherwise. Government will find a way to control whatever it is allowed to control. Logic is irrelevant.
3. Maybe.
The problem is that California lunacy tends to creep eastward - witness the automobile industry.....
Ah, it looks like good, linear power supply availability in CA will be like trying to buy a bottle of wine or beer here in Shelby County Alabama on Sundays. (If you want to, you drive into Jefferson County (Birmingham) and buy all you want)
Cortland, the requirement is *patently* stupid. And, falls on its face.
I don't have the numbers, but, I'm willing to guess that the majority of energy waste would be found in unloaded, or under-loaded electric motors.
So, sure, they now insist on so-called high efficiency motors. About 93% when contrasted to maybe 88% or so. Assumed, of course, at full load.
Why don't they insist that all pump motors that do nothing but circulate liquids shut off? Why don't they insist all saw motors be shut off the instant the lumber or metal exits the blade? Or, better yet, all billboard lighting be Low Pressure Sodium (many fold the Lumens per Watt of incandescent or fluorescent lamps). Oh, let me guess why not. They wouldn't want to waste water. They wouldn't want to suffer extra wear and tear on the motors. And, for the last one, they wouldn't want their signs looking like the City of San Jose's streets after dark: With a distinctly YELLOW hue.
Oh yeah, just forgot a relevant one: Why not insist on suppressed-carrier broadcasting. Think of the power saved from all the AM and FM transmitters in CA.
CA moving East? You bet. Another native, born, raised and educated now living in the Southeast.
73,
Lee
Where else but from the Left Coast. #The only place I know where beach sand is classified as a carcinogen.
K2WH
Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Jan. 28 2006,14:16)]Where else but from the Left Coast. #The only place I know where beach sand is classified as a carcinogen.
K2WH
Probably from all the rad waste dumped a few miles off shore by DOE and I think DOD as well. I gave up CA clams and clam chowder a looooong time ago.
Of course, then, the entire Almaden hills area, where many exclusive homes are built, in south San Jose should be as well. Why? They used to mine cinnabar (mercuric or mercurous oxide, me thinks) to refine into the metal. Lots of water runs off those hills and into perculation ponds or into the south end of SF Bay. Even a street named after it in downtown San Jose.
Yes, San Jose pumps its domestic water from wells. Hmmm.
Of course, all the chlorinated hydrocarbons dumped by the chipsters in the old days are interesting to think about too. And, the extra special ingredient in the Livermore Valley wines (perhaps a little Curium or Plute) from the tailings from Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
Best marriage yet, come to think of it, for the thinkers at the CA Energy Commission: CA should mandate changeout of ALL incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide and even high pressure sodium lamps to gargantuan LED arrays.
That way, Silicon Valley Far East (India, China, Malaysia and Korea) will be pleased........
Lee
Reminds me of the rule that puts water flow restrictors on bathtubs. It saves no water, just makes it take longer to fill, it cools in the process and you use more electricity to heat it back up.
KI4BDS
01-30-2006, 03:52 AM
HHHMMMMMMMMM and to think you moved from Ca to Pa or as all the truckdrivers call it,Pennslomania. Golly,everyone thinks they can run from problems but they take them with em. Showerheads??? Ive go a drill motor and some small bits. Take a bath,thatll fool em.I lived in Ca and worked in LA,Long Beach,and at Edwards and Yuma. They had a forum on wether or not the official language should be English and said "SI!" The people of the Earth are doomed! Isnt it Glorius for all Christians I am ready.:D
kf4vgx
01-30-2006, 06:42 AM
Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Jan. 28 2006,09:08)]Quote[/b] (wa6itf @ Jan. 28 2006,13:25)]Quote[/b] (ka5s @ Jan. 23 2006,14:30)]I don't see an exemption for what we build ourselves.
How about we "get real" about this. No "exemptiopn" is needed. #
1: Two-way radio gear is not considered consumer electronics -- with the exception of scanner radios.
2: #The State of California is not going to waste its time going door to door to see if some ham built himself a non-state certified power supply. #As looney as we are out here in LaLa Land" we are not that absurd.
3: #The "law" is about 10 years behind reality. #It has been years since the consumer electronics industry has used heavy iron supplies. #Even some of the new stuff that comes with wall-warts are switchers. #Its not being done for "efficiency." #Its because switchers are cheaper to build -- especially using i/c's specific to the job. #
Are switching supplies noisy? #Some are. #Some are not. #Its the luck of the draw. #But they are the wave of today and of the future.
de
Bill P. / ITF
1. #Yes, 2-way radios, such as CB, Amateur, FRS, etc definitely ARE considered consumer electronics. #We are consumers, not professionals, by definition.
2. #There is no way to assure that, and recent history suggests otherwise. #Government will find a way to control whatever it is allowed to control. #Logic is irrelevant.
3. #Maybe.
The problem is that California lunacy tends to creep eastward - witness the automobile industry.....
Logic prevails! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
KD6NIG
01-30-2006, 04:10 PM
Likely what this will do is cause the "baseline" quantities set by your local electric utility to go lower. After these requirements are in place, the average quantity used by an average household will drop lower, and any person exceeding these quantities won't be fined-they will simply pay the 'penalty' by having higher prices for going over "baseline" useage.
I guess building more power plants for all the homes they are building would be too logical of a solution to the energy problem. Oh well, at the rate we're going, pretty soon a 1 hour daily outage will become the norm here in the state. Why not, most people are at the beach every day for a few hours, they won't know the difference *SNICKER*
Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Jan. 28 2006,23:40)]Reminds me of the rule that puts water flow restrictors on bathtubs. #It saves no water, just makes it take longer to fill, it cools in the process and you use more electricity to heat it back up.
Yup. Almost as stupid as the toilet tank maximum flush volume limit. Most folks just pull the handle twice.
Now, your favorite state, FL, has some more GRAFT to put money in special interest pockets:
All homes built in recent history (not the old ones with corroded, leaky pipes that may cross contaminate water) have to have back-flow preventers where the water line enters the property. And, they have to be checked once per year by a certified tester.
Every home built and connected to public water supply, then, has to have an ugly pipe riser loop, back flow prevention device,tap valves and shut off valve out in their front yard, for all to see. And, on top of that, pay some plumber $50 a year to come out and test it to see if its working.
Again, never mind the old places with rusty, corroded, broken pipes that could allow sewage and chemicals into the domestic water system.
Good 'ole Florida. At least in CA, all you needed was a back flow preventer on your sprinkler valves.
Now you know one of the reasons I left Florida.
Lee
W6EM
n4piq
01-30-2006, 11:25 PM
For all u folks on the left coast,, # U get what u vote for..
If u put all of the tree huggers and the loony left in office, what do u expect?
Steve # N4PIQ
My neighbor put up a 10 ft. privacy fence around his entire property, 3 acres. He has several shotguns. I think he has the right idea. I have the shotgun but can’t afford the fence yet.
N9WB
N2JBE
01-31-2006, 12:29 PM
This is mostly designed to deal with the millions of transformer wall warts that sit there and use 10 watts whether or not they're loaded. Granted, many wall warts are switchers now, but most are not. There are two ways to save electricity on a grand scale. Either force huge reductions on a small number of large users, or force tiny reductions on millions of small users. Large users already cut back as much as they can to save money, so that route is not often practical. Small users don't care because the bill for 100Wh is small. So, it makes more sense to design out the 10W wall wart and reduce it to 1W when idle or say 6W under load. If there are 100 million wall warts in the state that eventually get phased over to switchers, the savings are ginormous. 400 Megawatts continuous under load (assuming 5-6W per device). Even saving 1W would be significant on the grand scale.
In any case, it is getting cheaper to make switching wall warts than it is to make transformer wall warts, if for no other reason than it is expensive to ship large quantities of heavy things. So, this law is really going to be meaningless over time, like most other laws that spew forth from the state of CA.
Quote[/b] (N2JBE @ Jan. 30 2006,08:29)]This is mostly designed to deal with the millions of transformer wall warts that sit there and use 10 watts whether or not they're loaded. Granted, many wall warts are switchers now, but most are not. There are two ways to save electricity on a grand scale. Either force huge reductions on a small number of large users, or force tiny reductions on millions of small users. Large users already cut back as much as they can to save money, so that route is not often practical. Small users don't care because the bill for 100Wh is small. So, it makes more sense to design out the 10W wall wart and reduce it to 1W when idle or say 6W under load. If there are 100 million wall warts in the state that eventually get phased over to switchers, the savings are ginormous. 400 Megawatts continuous under load (assuming 5-6W per device). Even saving 1W would be significant on the grand scale.
In any case, it is getting cheaper to make switching wall warts than it is to make transformer wall warts, if for no other reason than it is expensive to ship large quantities of heavy things. So, this law is really going to be meaningless over time, like most other laws that spew forth from the state of CA.
When I left "the know" in the power business in CA in 2000, the state's peak demand was about 120,000 MW. Yes, Mega-Watts.
400 MegaWatts is about the size of one, very small (and very old) fossil-fueled generator.
The "every little bit helps" mindset is a nice idea, but, really, unless they do something to ALL incandescent lamp use, well, its not much.
Besides, the core losses in transformers are way under 1%, typically. Now, lets talk about the power system transformers. Most substation transformers are in the neighborhood of 30-75MW each. And, they're loaded to that. Large substations have banks of single phase transformers anywhere from 100-500MW each. And, often times groups of three or more sets. Nine or ten of these monsters energized at one time.
The 500kV interties, (500kV line to line) carry up to about 2500 Amperes on each line (each bundled, 2300kcmil Al conductor set). Thats about 2200MW per line. How about figuring the I squared R losses? Minimize long distance transmission demand, and, well, you've saved a lot of needlessly dissipated energy.
The laminated iron cores have been around for a long time. Some work was done on amorphous steel replacement designs and cryogenic cooling of transformers. Park the fancy designs in substations, not in all consumer equipment.
My point in all of this: Politics. Plain and simple.
Like I said earlier, replace all incandescents with the highest efficiency light sources available. LP Sodium, or perhaps, LEDs. Of course, they don't want any "off color" hues.
While we're at it, how about mandating the demise of all CRTs and vacuum tubes?
400 MW, if correct, is a drop in the bucket.
Lee
N2JBE
01-31-2006, 02:18 PM
Quote[/b] (w6em @ Jan. 31 2006,06:36)]400 MW, if correct, is a drop in the bucket.
It's more than a drop in the bucket. 400MW for a year is 3.5 Million MWH, or 3.5 Billion kWh, which is 12 Trillion BTU, which, at 80% conversion efficiency, is 68.7 million gallons of diesel. Annually.
A 68.7 million gallon drop is a pretty darn big drop.
As far as CF lighting goes, it's a very nice, completely impractical idea. I live where the cost of electricity is the highest in the nation - around 16c/kwh. Even at that high energy cost, CF Lightbulbs will NEVER pay for themselves. They may use 1/2 the energy, but cost 20x as much and last only twice as long as incandescent bulbs. The light is also extremely poor in quality and the "100W" CF bulb in reality gives you the usable light quality of a 40W light bulb, and uses 21 watts to do it. Not worth it at all, IMHO. If you want to pile on the environmental impact of people throwing away these mercury-filled devices, the argument cannot possibly be won in favor of CF lighting. In fact, I am very surprised that CF lighting is even LEGAL in CA, let alone MANDATED...
K8ERV
01-31-2006, 04:55 PM
Outlaw night lights, better yet,outlaw the night.
TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo
Quote[/b] (N2JBE @ Jan. 30 2006,10:18)]Quote[/b] (w6em @ Jan. 31 2006,06:36)]400 MW, if correct, is a drop in the bucket.
It's more than a drop in the bucket. 400MW for a year is 3.5 Million MWH, or 3.5 Billion kWh, which is 12 Trillion BTU, which, at 80% conversion efficiency, is 68.7 million gallons of diesel. Annually.
A 68.7 million gallon drop is a pretty darn big drop.
As far as CF lighting goes, it's a very nice, completely impractical idea. I live where the cost of electricity is the highest in the nation - around 16c/kwh. Even at that high energy cost, CF Lightbulbs will NEVER pay for themselves. They may use 1/2 the energy, but cost 20x as much and last only twice as long as incandescent bulbs. The light is also extremely poor in quality and the "100W" CF bulb in reality gives you the usable light quality of a 40W light bulb, and uses 21 watts to do it. Not worth it at all, IMHO. If you want to pile on the environmental impact of people throwing away these mercury-filled devices, the argument cannot possibly be won in favor of CF lighting. In fact, I am very surprised that CF lighting is even LEGAL in CA, let alone MANDATED...
Let's fix your numbers, first. #400MWX8760 yields 3.5040MMWH per year. #Converting to KWH, we have 3.5040X10**9kWH. #Assuming a great heat rate of 9,000BTU's per kWH, that makes for 31.5MMBTU's per year. #One barrel of crude makes ideally 500MBTUs. #So, it takes 6.3X10**4 or 63,000 barrels to operate a 400MW, oil fired thermal prime mover at full load, 99 percent power factor for one year.
#
Now, on to the rest. #CF's are a lot cheaper than you think. #I just bought a screw-in 13W, 75W equivalent for just over $3 at Home Depot. #Spectra of the light is quite good, as well.
So, you live in NY where the rates are REALLY high. #How much of that is tax to feed big brother?
If people were smart enough to recognize that an UNLOADED wall wart consumes only iron losses and a small trickle current through its shunt regulator, perhaps they'd have acted otherwise. #Admittedly, until recently, series-drop regulators have had at least 2 to 3 volts of drop across them, which is quite wasteful. #However, recent low drop out types are much more efficient. #Plus, switching chips can use a transformer input as well. #Sure, its cheaper to rectify the 120V and use a piece of ferrite, since the switching frequency's up in the hundred kHz range.
Ah, but sometimes they talk just total current, not just the real or resistive component. #The reactive component can be corrected with shunt capacitance and is done by the power distributor. #To be correct, losses should be strictly expressed as I**2XR.
Power quality is already smelly, thanks to all of the existing switching supply-generated current distortion. #And, from solid state electric motor drives.
Before too long, people (especially in CA) may have to buy input smoothing filters to put in their main services to be able to use appliances without the noise created on the 60Hz system by all these switchers.
In my last assignment, we actually had to oversize three phase neutrals because they often carried more current than the phase conductors, thanks to 3rd order harmonic current from the above.
Lee
W6EM
Quote[/b] (ka5s @ Jan. 22 2006,17:30)]For example, single voltage external power supplies* of between 51 and 250 watts must be 84 percent efficient, and consume not more than 0.75 watts when not under load.
I don't see an exemption for what we build ourselves.
Source: California Energy Commission
CEC 400-2005-012 (http://energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-012/CEC-400-2005-012.PDF)
Also affected will be lighting; we may expect an increased use of RF lighting and ballasts. #
Don't think to wash off the smell with a hot shower, either:
The flow rate of showerheads, lavatory faucets, kitchen faucets, lavatory replacement aerators, kitchen replacement aerators, wash fountains, and metering faucets shall be not greater than the applicable values shown in Table H-1. Showerheads shall also meet the requirements of ASME/ANSI Standard A112.18.1M-1996, 7.4.4(a).
* Power supplies, which are single voltage external AC to DC and AC to AC power supplies included with other retail products, and single voltage external AC to DC or AC to AC power supplies sold separately; and consumer audio and video equipment, which are televisions, compact audio products, digital versatile disc players, digital versatile disc recorders, and digital television adapters.
Get your linear, RF-quiet power supplies while you can!
Cortland
KA5S
Alright, it took me a while to wake up and see the complete illogic in this, as expected. Now, how to *evade* this and what's wrong with it in the first place.
OK, quite simply, on its face, non-switching supplies at 13.8V out, must have a rating of 18.1 Amperes or less than 3.69 Amperes. So, Astron and others must make their supplies capable of at least 18.15A (or less than 3.69 Amperes) to avoid the problem.
Oops, the last time I looked at a 13.8VDC Wall wart of any size at all, the largest I can remember was about 1.8 Amps. Sorry folks, about 99% of Wall Warts just crept under this stupid regulation. I chose 13.8V, for obvious reasons, since the lower voltage units are obviously all under the minimum.
Secondly, any reasonable, fact-based standard would state no-load losses as a percentage of full load rating.
Hence, if 0.75 Watts is permissible for a 51Watt supply, it should serve as a BASIS for maximum losses allowed for all larger units. Works out to about 1.47% of supply full load capability.
So, if one were to simply apply 1.47%, to all supplies, could they meet this requirement? Who knows. Obviously, the politicians either didn't bother to look, or, as usual, carved out a "niche" to protect special interests. If they meant to catch the wall warts, they would have made the minimum capability much lower.
Guess you guys on the left coast will still be able to buy those big Astron linear supplies and keep your shacks quiet.
Thanks for posting this, Cortland.
73,
Lee
W6EM
K4SFC
02-01-2006, 02:11 PM
Wouldn't it be nice if the U.S. gave California to Mexico! #Talk about "sweet revenge".
K8ERV
02-01-2006, 03:37 PM
Quote[/b] (w6em @ Jan. 31 2006,13:55)]. #Assuming a great heat rate of 9,000BTU's per kWH,
My refs show 3413 btu/kwh, so that is a great rate. Where can I get some?
TOM K8ERV #Montrose Colo
kb2vxa
02-01-2006, 07:37 PM
Hi all,
Sometimes I'm actually glad to be living in Nazi Jersey and this is one of them. I like your comments too!
"As looney as we are out here in LaLa Land" we are not that absurd."
Have you ever been to Berzerkley?
"Kinda reminds me of an episode of "King of the Hill" were Hank was fighting an ordinance about toilets - the toilets were supposed to save water but required up to 6 flushes to get all the stuff down."
When that was passed we had to modify an old Polish joke, "Flush twice, it's a long way to Washington." Somehow returning the favor hasn't worked, toilets in the White House have been backed up for years.
"I was born and raised in California, came to Western PA to visit in 1973 and I'm still here."
Ah, so THAT'S why it's called Pissburgh!
"There is no way to assure that, and recent history suggests otherwise. Government will find a way to control whatever it is allowed to control. Logic is irrelevant."
Someone said left wingers drift left until they come to the ocean and stop, Not so, they bounce back! NJ has Cali to thank for the vehicle emission standards that cost us so much money but a Diesel bus still stinks as bad as ever.
"The problem is that California lunacy tends to creep eastward - witness the automobile industry."
Didn't I just say that? Actually what I'm witnessing is the demise of the greedy US auto industry that kept pushing gas guzzlers while import sales soared. VW + Audi = Skoda, so where are those surprisingly powerful, fuel efficent, noise and vibration free 3 bangers?
"...just makes it take longer to fill, it cools in the process and you use more electricity to heat it back up."
Sounds like somebody's wife.
I once heard it called Californication in a song, perhaps the writer knew how F-ed up it is. Then again I live in New Jersey and we now have a drug for a governor. It remains to be seen whether Corzine will cure our headache or give us one. Never mind the rest of the comments, I've said enough already.
KI4NGN
02-02-2006, 11:40 AM
I have never understood shower flow restrictors, and remove them from every shower head I've purchased. I use half the water (without the restrictor) that it would take to fill a bathtub. So until bathtubs become illegal, there will be no restrictors in my showers.
Wow! This one even surprises me (a certified cynic). I'm worried sick that my power supplies might not make the cut. I'm sure my electric range, clothes drier, lighting systems, etc. are much more efficient than 80%. K7UA
Quote[/b] (w6em @ Feb. 01 2006,06:55)]OK, quite simply, on its face, non-switching supplies at 13.8V out, must have a rating of 18.1 Amperes or less than 3.69 Amperes. So, Astron and others must make their supplies capable of at least 18.15A (or less than 3.69 Amperes) to avoid the problem.
I see I misquoted the standard:
http://people.delphiforums.com/KA5S/PS%20eff%20std.JPG
Efficiency required is now 84 percent for PS's 49 watts and up. 85% in 2008.
FWIW, lower power doesn't get much of a break; a 3-amp 12 V PS at 36 watts must (using the formula given) be better than 81 percent efficient.
It's the non-operating, plugged in but turned off current that gets a break after 250 watts. For two more years, anyway.
And by the way? It is illegal (with some reason) to dispose of the "boat anchors" except as
hazardous or universal waste. (http://proceedings.instep.ws/2002_11_20_INSTEP/content/pdf/Coveno.pdf)
Cortland
KA5S
Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ Feb. 01 2006,12:37)]...Actually what I'm witnessing is the demise of the greedy US auto industry that kept pushing gas guzzlers while import sales soared. ...
Great comments!!! :o) But what gas guzzlers? I hear import maker bragging about their fuel-efficient cars getting 30 mpg. My 335 hp Firebird with a big 5.7 litre V-8 gets 28-29 on the highway (as long as I can keep it above 75 or so).
Oh, SUVs? But the importers are building some huge ones of those, too.
Quote[/b] (K8ERV @ Jan. 31 2006,11:37)]Quote[/b] (w6em @ Jan. 31 2006,13:55)]. #Assuming a great heat rate of 9,000BTU's per kWH,
My refs show 3413 btu/kwh, so that is a great rate. Where can I get some?
TOM K8ERV #Montrose Colo
Duke Energy's claim to fame...... Best heat rate.
Their numbers, not textbook. 3413, is ideal, of course. Throw in the inefficiency of the boiler, and it takes almost three times that many to make a kWh.
You might have been thinking the other way around.
Lee
K5BTV
02-04-2006, 01:44 PM
Switching effeciency regulation may also cause severe QRN. I am having to add ferrites to neighboring house to eliminate S9 QRN on 40 & 30 meters when their under counter kitchen lamps are on! These low voltage halogen lamps using 60 Hz electronic ballasts are BAD BOYS. Manufacturer says they are going 20 KHz ballasts. Tried several manufacturers low voltage halogen lamps and they all radiate like crazy.
n7scq
02-05-2006, 01:39 PM
As an "official" resident of Sac-A-Tomatoes, and the Peoples Republic of, these politicians that have got nothing else better to do than think up stupid stuff like this? they can kiss my ____ #(you fill in the blanks), they should be doing something more worthwhile like figuring ways out to give law enforcement here more strength and getting criminals of the streets! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
I guess AES over in Nevada will have lots of business (selling linear power supplies) while HRO in CA won't be able to.
Now, the real question: Will the Energy Police show up at ham flea markets in CA, inspect incoming mail and UPS shipments to hams, and censor eBay to prevent the black market in linear power supplies?
Sweet Home Alabama! Lord, I'm comin' home to you....
73, from Leeds, AL
Lee
W6EM
P.S. When the CA Energy Commission was formed back in the '70s, a few of my colleagues and I all agreed it was going to be wackier than the Coastal Commission.
The original purpose was to validate a utility's need for additional 230kV and higher voltage transmission resources. Its a horror prediction come-true.
m0dcd
02-06-2006, 01:54 PM
Of course when CA joins the EU in 2011, it'll adopt all the European legislation like RoHS and WEEE, or is it already too late?
Andy
M0DCD
Quote[/b] (m0dcd @ Feb. 06 2006,06:54)]Of course when CA joins the EU in 2011, it'll adopt all the European legislation like RoHS and WEEE, or is it already too late?
Andy
M0DCD
People are already stocking up on leaded solder to build Elecraft K2's (http://www.elecraft.com/k2_page.htm) with.
But to give the Devil his due... it is a really good idea that what you buy today can safely be disposed of next year when it breaks and you have to throw it out.
Cortland
KA5S
Quote[/b] (ka5s @ Feb. 05 2006,15:04)]Quote[/b] (m0dcd @ Feb. 06 2006,06:54)]Of course when CA joins the EU in 2011, it'll adopt all the European legislation like RoHS and WEEE, or is it already too late?
Andy
M0DCD
People are already stocking up on leaded solder to build Elecraft K2's (http://www.elecraft.com/k2_page.htm) with.
But to give the Devil his due... it is a really good idea that what you buy today can safely be disposed of next year when it breaks and you have to throw it out.
Cortland
KA5S
Yep, kind of amazing. Anyone over 50 used to brush their teeth with toothpaste out of a lead tube. Until at least the late '50s. Unless, of course, our parents were really archaic and insisted on tooth powder out of a can. Hey, maybe that's what's wrong with us older folks.
All that lead must have affected our thinking.
One of my first supervisors when I began working in 1971 said his son used to save the tubes and melt them down. :-) And, yes, in CA.
Cortland, even the EPA recognizes the inability to control small quantities. Remember PCBs and all the big hullabaloo back in the mid '70s? Anything less than 2.5 lbs, as I remember could be tossed in household garbage. Of course that didn't apply to industry. Only individuals. And, these days as I walk along hamfest tables and see an occasional old pcb (oil-filled in the vernacular) filled capacitor sitting on the table for sale, I just smile and walk on past.......
Glad I have about 10 rolls of the good hi tin content stuff. I figured that it would disappear, so had to grab some while I could... Oops, I might just have an industrial-sized quantity. No dumping here. I'll sell it to one of my neighbors if I have to, so he can cast it into bullets. Bunch of deer slayers down here.
Lee
Quote[/b] (w6em @ Feb. 06 2006,14:47)]while I could... Oops, I might just have an industrial-sized quantity. No dumping here. I'll sell it to one of my neighbors if I have to, so he can cast it into bullets. Bunch of deer slayers down here.
Relax.
" 'Small Quantity Handler of Universal Waste' means a universal waste handler (as defined in this section) who does not accumulate 5,000 kilograms or more total of universal waste (batteries, thermostats, or lamps, calculated collectively) at any time."
California Universal Waste Rule DTSC Control Number R-97-08 Final Text
Your kids could inherit a Superfund site!
Cortland
KA5S
KC5TER
02-07-2006, 05:36 AM
hmmm....... how many guys and gals are gonna just be running out to build switching power supply's to drive thier legal limit tube amplifiers...NOT! Sounds like more worthless red tape and useless rederic from the left coast. What starts in California usually makes its way east over time. We right here in Oklahoma have to endure alot of the nonsense legislation that has been adopted out west over the past who knows how long! #I keep hearing the big one is on its way to drop 6 land into the drink, well nothing against the majority of the hams in 6 land but your legislative bunch of yahoo's need a good dip in the drink to bring them back to relality! de KC5TER
What makes me nervous about this is all the RFI from all the cheap switchers in poorly designed consumer gear. I understand the wall-wart type charger power supplies that hang off an electric outlet are going that way too.
ve7gun
02-08-2006, 06:18 PM
Quote[/b] (ka5s @ Jan. 22 2006,15:30)]The California Energy Commission has just published an efficiency standard dated April 2005. It requires that by 1 July 2006 most appliances made or sold in California meet state mandates for efficiency. For example, single voltage external power supplies* of between 51 and 250 watts must be 84 percent efficient, and consume not more than 0.75 watts when not under load.
I don't see an exemption for what we build ourselves.
Source: California Energy Commission
CEC 400-2005-012 (http://energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-012/CEC-400-2005-012.PDF)
Also affected will be lighting; we may expect an increased use of RF lighting and ballasts. #
Don't think to wash off the smell with a hot shower, either:
The flow rate of showerheads, lavatory faucets, kitchen faucets, lavatory replacement aerators, kitchen replacement aerators, wash fountains, and metering faucets shall be not greater than the applicable values shown in Table H-1. Showerheads shall also meet the requirements of ASME/ANSI Standard A112.18.1M-1996, 7.4.4(a).
* Power supplies, which are single voltage external AC to DC and AC to AC power supplies included with other retail products, and single voltage external AC to DC or AC to AC power supplies sold separately; and consumer audio and video equipment, which are televisions, compact audio products, digital versatile disc players, digital versatile disc recorders, and digital television adapters.
Get your linear, RF-quiet power supplies while you can!
Cortland
KA5S
with this day of traveling and comm. why has this country and canada not gone to the Aussi. system of toilets 2 handle or buttons one for flushing water other for regular flush that would save several low flushes attempts http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif maybe Arnold will supply all of us with solid state amps that would be A good thing to conserve power 73 all
ke4juh
02-09-2006, 09:21 PM
This is simple, label your power supply (linear, boat anchor rig, etc) as a power supply & electric heating appliance and POW you are at 100% efficiency.
WA4RYW
02-11-2006, 06:03 PM
Well, I think we're all jumping the gun here. I think we should wait and see what Rush says about it before we adopt an opinion.
KC2ESD
02-16-2006, 06:22 AM
When is this Country going to wake up and realize the Communists Pigs are slowly trying to take America over Via High Taxes, Enviomental Rules and Anti 2nd Amendment laws.
You Communists can't fool me, I was born with Red Hair.
Rick KC2ESD the Patriot
KC5KWW
02-17-2006, 08:51 PM
Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Jan. 28 2006,21:40)]Reminds me of the rule that puts water flow restrictors on bathtubs. #It saves no water, just makes it take longer to fill, it cools in the process and you use more electricity to heat it back up.
Yep
they restrict um, and we drill um!!!
make so much sence!!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif