First time living alone, and just got my first electric bill... what's using so much power? How much power does my computer really use? [more inside]
posted on Sep 4, 2008 - 35 answers

When I plug my MacBook Pro Power Adapter into most/all outlets, I see a blue spark as the prongs enter the outlet. Is this normal? [more inside]
posted on Aug 17, 2008 - 10 answers

How do national grid forecast demand acturately? [more inside]
posted on Jul 31, 2008 - 7 answers

Help me understand electricity and physics and how they apply to motors. I have my head around electricity basics and electromagnetism, but I have a few unanswered questions about the more subtle aspects. [more inside]
posted on Jun 22, 2008 - 11 answers

Can anyone help me figure out what kind of power source I need for my outdoor art project? [more inside]
posted on Jun 5, 2008 - 10 answers

Working on DIY solar charger from modified garden power lamps. Of course the panels look different than the ones in the pictures! [more inside]
posted on Feb 17, 2008 - 6 answers

British appliance, US power: can they find happiness together? [more inside]
posted on Dec 9, 2007 - 15 answers

Anyone know a simple and cheap solar panel setup to run a small boombox about 9-12V DC? [more inside]
posted on Dec 4, 2007 - 3 answers

When it rains / storms our power inevitably blinks out (usually comes right back online in a few seconds) and we have lost 1 TV and another one is now behaving erratically. Need help coming up with a plan of action. [more inside]
posted on Oct 9, 2007 - 8 answers

So the electrician said nothing was wrong. But something WAS wrong, only it fixed itself by the time he got there. Help me diagnose this maddening problem our tenant had. [more inside]
posted on Sep 21, 2007 - 17 answers

2 outlets & a ceiling light stopped working at the same time. None of the circuit breakers were flipped. What would cause this, and how can I troubleshoot it? [more inside]
posted on Aug 30, 2007 - 15 answers

Solar photovoltaic fabric. I'm trying to find or recall about a particular type of technology that I half-remember, as well as find out more about the current state of the art for flexible and/or fabric and/or imprinted solar panels. [more inside]
posted on Jun 6, 2007 - 4 answers

I have a friend visiting me from the UK that is looking to buy a Nintendo DS while he is here to bring back home. Does he need to buy a converter to use with the included power adaptor, or does he need to buy a 240 charger back home? Will the US adaptor work with UK outlets? [more inside]
posted on May 10, 2007 - 7 answers

Since December 2006, my electricity bill has shown at least a 1,000 KWH increase over the same period a year ago. We haven't purchased any new appliances, or done anything appreciably different. This month, we didn't use our air conditioning/heating unit at all, and our bill still came in 25% higher (500 KWH) than a year ago. We're at a loss. What could be the reason? We ordered a Kill-a-watt, but till it arrives, we are trying to figure it out. Any thoughts? [more inside]
posted on May 9, 2007 - 34 answers

I just picked up a 1000W step-down converter (220V-110V) to power a receiver after a 750W exploded in a blaze of glory when I turned it on one morning. I'd very much like to avoid this kind of thing again. So my question is, is it relatively safe to keep step-down converters turned on at all times? If so, will it constantly be using 1000W of power even when the receiver is turned off? I've heard differing opinions but found no definitive answer on the interwebs. Related, is it true that you should always have something plugged into the converter when it is turned on?
posted on Feb 17, 2007 - 7 answers

Do power tools need more than just a voltage converter to work in Eastern Europe (Belgrade, Serbia)? My father wants to purchase a power tool for my father in law (think a drill...). (more inside) [more inside]
posted on Jan 21, 2007 - 4 answers

What's the best way to organize a mountain of computer-related power adapters that is a) safe, and b) neat? [more inside]
posted on Jan 8, 2007 - 16 answers

My microwave is driving me nuts! [more inside]
posted on Dec 23, 2006 - 20 answers

I need some new sockets to dip my prongs into. [more inside]
posted on Nov 8, 2006 - 5 answers

I live in a hundred-year old house (in Los Angeles, no less!) that has limited electrical outlets. I have unlimited (it seems) electronics - three computers, monitors, two laser printers, two air conditioners, electric heater (in the winter), etc. The house was upgraded from old-style fuses to circuit breakers a few years ago. It is a rental so I am not able to do any upgrades. None of the wall outlets are three prong, so I am using adapters. In the summer, my office is just overdone with things drawing power - all three computers, the printers, AC, and probably 20 (or more) smaller items - cell phone, postage scale, radio, etc.... [more inside]
posted on Sep 16, 2006 - 12 answers

Electric Eel powerplant, why not? [more inside]
posted on Sep 2, 2006 - 12 answers

The power in our downstairs is out but there are no breakers in the fuse panel showing red. Can any electricians out there 'shed some light' (groan....) ???? [more inside]
posted on Aug 27, 2006 - 11 answers

ChargerFilter: Do chargers for things like mobile phones, digital cameras, camcorders etc. use power (and cost money) if they are left plugged in? [more inside]
posted on Jul 28, 2006 - 21 answers

I just found out our new neighbors are stealing our power. What to do? [more inside]
posted on Jun 5, 2006 - 61 answers

I've been living in my apartment since December, and I still haven't received an electric bill from ConEd. It was made clear that we had to sign up to receive power and we did that -- my wife called in, gave them her social security number, address, etc. Still, no bill. The meter man comes by every month and checks the meter. Still, no bill. [more inside]
posted on Apr 26, 2006 - 28 answers

On our property there's a rather substantial brook running through it, which runs year round and doesn't freeze over. It's probably too wide for a traditional undershot waterwheel (at least 12 feet across at its most narrow), to supply some alternate power to our house, but maybe there's something else that could make the most of the constant flowing water?
posted on Feb 25, 2006 - 16 answers

Can you buy power strips in the US that have separate on/off switches for each socket? [more inside]
posted on Dec 22, 2005 - 15 answers

Why is electricity so much more expensive then natural gas? Am I reading my bill wrong, or is it really an order of magnitude cheaper? [more inside]
posted on Nov 30, 2005 - 18 answers

I'd like to help power the house and exercise, both solved with one solution, and need some suggestions. [more inside]
posted on Nov 21, 2005 - 21 answers

I have two computers, each with something like 350W power supplies. By keeping them on 24/7, am I consuming the equivalent of seven 100-watt light bulbs around the clock? What can I do (either software or hardware) to make my machines more power-efficient? Also - while I'm on the subject - does an incandescent bulb consume less when it's on a dimmer and that dimmer is turned down? [more inside]
posted on Jul 7, 2005 - 18 answers

Electricity: I'm wiring up a new dishwasher with the power cord from the old dishwasher. Just to make things interesting, the power cord has absolutely no indication of which side is positive and which side is negative. Is this because it's AC and it doesn't matter? I'm in the US on 110.
posted on Dec 6, 2004 - 14 answers

I'm sitting in my living room watch my dining room light turn on and off, dim and brighten, turn off again, then turn on. I know the house isn't haunted, but what is happening to my light? Should I be worried? [MI]
posted on Dec 2, 2004 - 13 answers

TransformerFilter: I've just relocated to the US and have a rechargeable drill that uses a 17V DC transformer. I need to replace the transformer, since the one I have runs on 240V power (and has the UK prongs). The problem here is that I can't find a suitable replacement at the likely suspect places: hardware stores, Radio Shack...

I know that the voltage must match precisely and that the amperage must be at least as high as the noted amperage, and that the polarity must also match. So where can I go to find a good transformer? I'm in NYC, but I prefer to shop online.
posted on Nov 28, 2004 - 9 answers

I have a Vector MAXXsst 225 Watt DC to AC power inverter that I run in my truck. Problem is, it keeps blowing the truck fuses... It's gotta be a short, right? What am I missing?
posted on Sep 11, 2004 - 5 answers