Unplugging Cell Phone Chargers When Not In Use: Real Savings?

[Musicat]

@Q.E.D.

In the interest of Science, I used my Fluke DMM to measure the AC current draw with the charger plugged in with no phone connected. The result: zero. Z-E-R-O. Apparently, it’s a smart charger and only draws current when the phone’s connected.

Some of my chargers have a power LED on at all times when plugged in even if nothing is being charged, so they must draw something.

Still, it’s easier to leave them connected to the wall. I don’t plan to lose much sleep about it.

I’ve gotten away from rechargeable batts where I can – when reliability, length of use from full charge, peak voltage, shelf life and convenience are important factors, nothing beats discardable alkalines, IMHO. Before I began that policy, I had three different kinds of chargers on the desk just for AA’s alone (different chemical formulas) and had to worry about which batt went with which charger and how long ago I recharged each. Too much hassle.

[groo]

I use two power strips that have all of my AC adapters; if I charge anything, I turn the relevant power strip on, but that means that four other chargers are turned on at the same time.

Most of my apartment is run off of X-10 switches. For awhile, I experimented with tying a power strip to an X-10 module with some of my AC adapters, but it would occasionally turn on by itself (I think it had something to do with the combined inductance of the adapters). Now I’ve positioned my power adapters so they’re easy to switch by hand.

[blast from the past]
Back before 9/11, Bush gave several speeches about the problem of energy vampires. Life was simpler then.
[/blast]

[Projammer]

I have seen a power strip that has the switch on a 6 foot extension that you can move to a convenient location on the nightstand or desk. I couldn’t find one quickly with google, but I did find this, a power strip with a wireless remote that controls 6 of the 8 outlets on it.

@Belkin

Conserve’s wireless remote control keeps you from having to reach below desks, behind home theater equipment or around furniture to easily access inconvenient places where surge protectors typically sit. With this handy remote control, you can completely shut off the power to devices that consume standby power, such as TVs or computer monitors, when you are done using them. Two “always-on” outlets allow you to leave devices that typically need to stay on, such as set-top boxes or modems.