The Win7 PC on which I write this is plugged into one of my CyberPower UPS units, which is also connected to a USB port on the PC. This PC is not running their PowerPanel software. I see a battery icon identical to the one that displays on a Win7 notebook.
I just pulled the UPS plug from the wall socket. Since the monitor is also connected to the UPS, I was able to watch Windows and BOINC respond. BOINC properly responded and suspended computation, writing the following into the log:
04/03/2015 18:40:18 | | Suspending computation - on batteries
Well I will have to experiment also then. I wonder if the previous failure was because of the APC software running. I have it mostly disabled since I didn't want all the logging and monitoring. I stopped all of the automatic services. It is only loaded to the Tray and all it does is shutdown the PC when the power is lost and it goes on battery. I didn't currently have the project preferences set for preventing computation while on batteries. Have changed it for each project and will experiment. I don't have the battery icon in the Tray however. Also I don't see a battery option in Power Settings. Just the normal plans. I do know that if I choose Power Saver or Balanced, the system will down processing in BOINC. Not what I want.
The Win7 PC on which I write this is plugged into one of my CyberPower UPS units, which is also connected to a USB port on the PC. This PC is not running their PowerPanel software. I see a battery icon identical to the one that displays on a Win7 notebook.
I just pulled the UPS plug from the wall socket. Since the monitor is also connected to the UPS, I was able to watch Windows and BOINC respond. BOINC properly responded and suspended computation, writing the following into the log:
04/03/2015 18:40:18 | | Suspending computation - on batteries
That's what I noticed as well, Windows and BOINC handle the UPS just like a laptop battery without the PowerPanel software installed. However, I like to have the desktop widget that shows wattage, voltage, time remaining, etc., and to set automatic shutdown when X minutes of battery are remaining.
I had sent a message to CyberPower support a while ago asking about this (seems PowerPanel takes over some power management functions from Windows) and they said I can't have it both ways.
The Win7 PC on which I write this is plugged into one of my CyberPower UPS units, which is also connected to a USB port on the PC. This PC is not running their PowerPanel software. I see a battery icon identical to the one that displays on a Win7 notebook.
I just pulled the UPS plug from the wall socket. Since the monitor is also connected to the UPS, I was able to watch Windows and BOINC respond. BOINC properly responded and suspended computation, writing the following into the log:
04/03/2015 18:40:18 | | Suspending computation - on batteries
Well I will have to experiment also then. I wonder if the previous failure was because of the APC software running. I have it mostly disabled since I didn't want all the logging and monitoring. I stopped all of the automatic services. It is only loaded to the Tray and all it does is shutdown the PC when the power is lost and it goes on battery. I didn't currently have the project preferences set for preventing computation while on batteries. Have changed it for each project and will experiment. I don't have the battery icon in the Tray however. Also I don't see a battery option in Power Settings. Just the normal plans. I do know that if I choose Power Saver or Balanced, the system will down processing in BOINC. Not what I want.
Keith
It is likely that, on install, the APC software is taking control of the battery-related settings. This could be a holdover from back when Windows didn't handle UPS as well. Microsoft probably allowed vendors to install hardware-specific software and take control of battery-related functionality.
I would be willing to bet that, if you uninstall the APC software, the functionality in Win7's Power Options dialog would return. In glancing at some support forums, some users report simply uninstalling the software via Programs and Features doesn't completely remove all of the associated drivers. It may be necessary to disconnect the USB cable, and then visit Device Manager and uninstall any APC devices listed. Then restart the computer. Once you are back at the desktop, plug the UPS back in, and Win7 should detect the UPS. So other forum users say . . .
That's what I noticed as well, Windows and BOINC handle the UPS just like a laptop battery without the PowerPanel software installed. However, I like to have the desktop widget that shows wattage, voltage, time remaining, etc., and to set automatic shutdown when X minutes of battery are remaining.
I had sent a message to CyberPower support a while ago asking about this (seems PowerPanel takes over some power management functions from Windows) and they said I can't have it both ways.
I just glanced over the Power Management API functions at MSDN, and it seems rather sophisticated. I have been a Windows programmer for longer than I care to admit, and although my software can respond to changes in Power States, like BOINC does, I've never had a need (plus never had the time) to determine if I could actually affect those Power States (e.g. directly forcing the processor to reduce speed, or asking Windows to do it indirectly by invoking a different Power State). But I have a feeling it is doable, just "not worth it" to the hardware vendor.
I've ordered from Amazon the current $19.95 version of the Ensupra "electricity usage monitor", which clearly differs from the one I own.
I'll give it a try and post my impressions by late next week
On first impressions I think the (apparently current) version of the Ensupra electricity usage monitor offered on Amazon Prime for $19.95 appears suitable for the uses contemplated in this thread.
The back label asserts this is a "PM001-CU" unit, with maximum 1800W 15 Ampere capability, and claimed accuracy of +/- 2%.
Good things:
1. resolution in Watts--0.1 watt resolution
2. resolution in input voltage--0.1V
3. resolution in current--.001 Ampere
4. displays power factor (though it omits that name)
5. displays maximum wattage since reset
6. displays maximum amperage since reset
7. resolution in KWh since reset is 0.001 KWh (at least up to 1 KW--may up to 10, probably not up to more
8. displays "total time" since reset in Days, HH:mm
9. It has a reset button, so you can accumulate energy consumption for a period in which the system is in a state of interest. Also the time for that period is reported with more than adequate resolution for most purposes (to the second for the first hour, and to the minute in 23/24 of the subsequent hours).
10. $19.95 for (the many) Amazon Prime members is pretty competitive for this function level.
Bad (or less good) things
1. Does not display VA
2. Total time display gives mm:ss in the first hour after the start of each elapsed day, then switches to hh:mm without any units indications--you have to watch the update rate to distinguish.
3. Instructions state that energy consumption will not be logged when the power is lower than 2 watts (not a problem for most PCs, but could limit such applications as monitoring battery chargers).
4. If you bother setting up the Utility cost per KWhr, is it wiped out each time you use Reset
5. The display is not backlit, and does not have excellent viewing range. Many users will want to use a short extension cord in order to put the display in a good viewing position.
6. This unit has a USA standard socket
7. one-third of the LCD display is wasted with an extremely low-resolution bar-graph representation showing 7 days/weeks/ or months of power consumption. (unlike the previous model)
Things to check (and report here) later
1. as the accumulated energy (KWh) goes up, how is the displayed resolution affected?
2. What is the minimum power it will display?
Unexplored by me:
1. The facility for user-specified utility power charge appears to allow for two different rates with a standard switching schedule by day. As I don't have time-of-day power rates here, and the user input is forgotten with each reset, I don't expect to find this function useful.
the current $19.95 version of the Ensupra "electricity usage monitor"
Things to check (and report here) later
1. as the accumulated energy (KWh) goes up, how is the displayed resolution affected?
For the first 9.99 KWhrs, the Ensupra has one extra digit of resolution, as the Kill-a-watt displays n.nn KWhr, while the Ensupra displays n.nnn KWhr.
Between 10 KWhr and 99.99 they both display nn.nn.
I plugged the Ensupra into the Kill-a-Watt, and my main PC into the Ensupra (so in series, and should read the same power ignoring voltage drop from the series resistance).
Encouragingly, they appeared to agree well on instantaneous measurements of voltage, amperage, power and elapsed time. With almost 12 KWhr of consumption accumulated across a couple of days, the disagreement on energy consumed (KWhr) was 0.5%. The disagreement in elapsed time was 0.04%.
It appears likely that the Kill-a-watt will suffer a resolution of elapsed time disadvantage after about 4 elapsed days, as it displays hh:mm and will need to do a format shift. The Ensupra is using d:hh:mm, so seems likely to maintain resolution out to nearly ten days, and perhaps 99 or more.
The minimum power measurement testing will come later.
I advocate this model of the Ensupra monitor for users making PC power measurements for whom USA spec sockets are acceptable.
RE: The Win7 PC on which
)
Well I will have to experiment also then. I wonder if the previous failure was because of the APC software running. I have it mostly disabled since I didn't want all the logging and monitoring. I stopped all of the automatic services. It is only loaded to the Tray and all it does is shutdown the PC when the power is lost and it goes on battery. I didn't currently have the project preferences set for preventing computation while on batteries. Have changed it for each project and will experiment. I don't have the battery icon in the Tray however. Also I don't see a battery option in Power Settings. Just the normal plans. I do know that if I choose Power Saver or Balanced, the system will down processing in BOINC. Not what I want.
Keith
RE: The Win7 PC on which I
)
That's what I noticed as well, Windows and BOINC handle the UPS just like a laptop battery without the PowerPanel software installed. However, I like to have the desktop widget that shows wattage, voltage, time remaining, etc., and to set automatic shutdown when X minutes of battery are remaining.
I had sent a message to CyberPower support a while ago asking about this (seems PowerPanel takes over some power management functions from Windows) and they said I can't have it both ways.
Click Here to see My Detailed BOINC Stats
RE: RE: The Win7 PC on
)
It is likely that, on install, the APC software is taking control of the battery-related settings. This could be a holdover from back when Windows didn't handle UPS as well. Microsoft probably allowed vendors to install hardware-specific software and take control of battery-related functionality.
I would be willing to bet that, if you uninstall the APC software, the functionality in Win7's Power Options dialog would return. In glancing at some support forums, some users report simply uninstalling the software via Programs and Features doesn't completely remove all of the associated drivers. It may be necessary to disconnect the USB cable, and then visit Device Manager and uninstall any APC devices listed. Then restart the computer. Once you are back at the desktop, plug the UPS back in, and Win7 should detect the UPS. So other forum users say . . .
RE: That's what I noticed
)
I just glanced over the Power Management API functions at MSDN, and it seems rather sophisticated. I have been a Windows programmer for longer than I care to admit, and although my software can respond to changes in Power States, like BOINC does, I've never had a need (plus never had the time) to determine if I could actually affect those Power States (e.g. directly forcing the processor to reduce speed, or asking Windows to do it indirectly by invoking a different Power State). But I have a feeling it is doable, just "not worth it" to the hardware vendor.
RE: I've ordered from
)
On first impressions I think the (apparently current) version of the Ensupra electricity usage monitor offered on Amazon Prime for $19.95 appears suitable for the uses contemplated in this thread.
The back label asserts this is a "PM001-CU" unit, with maximum 1800W 15 Ampere capability, and claimed accuracy of +/- 2%.
Good things:
1. resolution in Watts--0.1 watt resolution
2. resolution in input voltage--0.1V
3. resolution in current--.001 Ampere
4. displays power factor (though it omits that name)
5. displays maximum wattage since reset
6. displays maximum amperage since reset
7. resolution in KWh since reset is 0.001 KWh (at least up to 1 KW--may up to 10, probably not up to more
8. displays "total time" since reset in Days, HH:mm
9. It has a reset button, so you can accumulate energy consumption for a period in which the system is in a state of interest. Also the time for that period is reported with more than adequate resolution for most purposes (to the second for the first hour, and to the minute in 23/24 of the subsequent hours).
10. $19.95 for (the many) Amazon Prime members is pretty competitive for this function level.
Bad (or less good) things
1. Does not display VA
2. Total time display gives mm:ss in the first hour after the start of each elapsed day, then switches to hh:mm without any units indications--you have to watch the update rate to distinguish.
3. Instructions state that energy consumption will not be logged when the power is lower than 2 watts (not a problem for most PCs, but could limit such applications as monitoring battery chargers).
4. If you bother setting up the Utility cost per KWhr, is it wiped out each time you use Reset
5. The display is not backlit, and does not have excellent viewing range. Many users will want to use a short extension cord in order to put the display in a good viewing position.
6. This unit has a USA standard socket
7. one-third of the LCD display is wasted with an extremely low-resolution bar-graph representation showing 7 days/weeks/ or months of power consumption. (unlike the previous model)
Things to check (and report here) later
1. as the accumulated energy (KWh) goes up, how is the displayed resolution affected?
2. What is the minimum power it will display?
Unexplored by me:
1. The facility for user-specified utility power charge appears to allow for two different rates with a standard switching schedule by day. As I don't have time-of-day power rates here, and the user input is forgotten with each reset, I don't expect to find this function useful.
RE: the current $19.95
)
For the first 9.99 KWhrs, the Ensupra has one extra digit of resolution, as the Kill-a-watt displays n.nn KWhr, while the Ensupra displays n.nnn KWhr.
Between 10 KWhr and 99.99 they both display nn.nn.
I plugged the Ensupra into the Kill-a-Watt, and my main PC into the Ensupra (so in series, and should read the same power ignoring voltage drop from the series resistance).
Encouragingly, they appeared to agree well on instantaneous measurements of voltage, amperage, power and elapsed time. With almost 12 KWhr of consumption accumulated across a couple of days, the disagreement on energy consumed (KWhr) was 0.5%. The disagreement in elapsed time was 0.04%.
It appears likely that the Kill-a-watt will suffer a resolution of elapsed time disadvantage after about 4 elapsed days, as it displays hh:mm and will need to do a format shift. The Ensupra is using d:hh:mm, so seems likely to maintain resolution out to nearly ten days, and perhaps 99 or more.
The minimum power measurement testing will come later.
I advocate this model of the Ensupra monitor for users making PC power measurements for whom USA spec sockets are acceptable.