By my measurements the Classic has an idle power consumption of approx. 5-6 watts and draws about 10-12 watts when making power(12 volt system). How does The KID compare?
Interesting. I clocked a 150 lite at 3.01W sleep, and 15.10W idle. I think the lite has only one processor, while the full version has three. These are at 24 volts.
from a posting by boB, there are programming changes that can be/have been made to lower the tare load of a full Classic to ~ 4 w or less. I don't know if it has happened yet as there seems to be a lot of effort on the remake of the 2 other projects (My Midnite and Local App) so this my still be 'on the list'...
The Kid should be way less. I have to confess I have not checked it myself but I know Mario has and I thought I remember Chris Olsen saying it was 1w or less
Ryan
If anyone wants to measure it, you dont need to take anything apart. Attach a pair of crocidile clips to your multimeter set to the 10A range. With the PV off and the controller on, clip the croc clips across the controller breaker. Once you have a secure connection, flip the breaker off. Read, then flip breaker back to on. That way you wont get any big surges through your meter.
KID resting with no input connected, battery at 12.6V and display lit up. 38.13mA or about 0.48 Watts.
Display dimmed/sleeping. 34.87mA or about 0.44 Watts. Firmware REV 1709 BETA.
Fluke 87 DVM.
Thanks onanparts. That is great information.
Any chance you can take a reading when the Kid is in bulk mode but not getting any solar input? For example when the Classic first wakes up it goes into bulk mode, senses there isn't enough solar input to warrant staying awake, and it goes back to sleep. When it does this it appears to use 10-12 watts and I'm curious what the KID draws.