Date   : Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:03:45 +0200
From   : rick@... (Rick Murray)
Subject: Leccy @ Acorn World '09

Michael Firth wrote:

> b) Each socket is taking an average of less than 0.3A, or 80W.

Yai! Some monitors take more than that, and I'm not talking big ones... 
I think my old Acorn 14" jobbie rated itself 75W, so that leaves little 
for the computer. :-(


A question I have - without actually measuring, how can one tell the 
power rating? For example, I believe my RiscPC power supply is something 
like 83W (it's the smaller of the two). My bigger PC is something like 
350W (gee, spot the difference!). Now these will apply to OUTPUT power, 
yes? The amount of ooomph given on the DC side. How does one translate 
that into input? If the PC thinks it is taking 350W then I'd crap myself 
as turning my room on would be akin to running an immersion heater! 
Thankfully I know that's not true - just looked at the meter box and 
it's a lot more docile than when a heavy load is on.

Couple this with the fact that some stuff just plain lies. My satellite 
receiver takes 30W. It says so. In actual fact, it runs about 3W in 
standby and 20-22ish when running (prob. different LNB polarisation 
power accounts for the difference?). Well, it's around 1/3 less than 
quoted. Might not sound like a lot, but imagine if everybody at the 
exhibition had one of them, the difference between quoted and actual 
could be enough to allow a couple of coffee-makers to be included!


So there's the question. Is there any elecy-techy with some spare time 
and 6502 kit who can provide some actual ratings of what stuff (Beebs, 
co-pros, RiscPCs, cub monitors...) actually consume?


Would it be better to take LCD displays instead of "authentic" Cubs? The 
power consumption is less, yes?


Just my ?0,02's worth. :-)


Best wishes,

Rick.

-- 
Rick Murray, eeePC901 & ADSL WiFI'd into it, all ETLAs!
BBC B: DNFS, 2 x 5.25" floppies, EPROM prog, Acorn TTX
E01S FileStore, A3000/A5000/RiscPC/various PCs/blahblah...