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Old 02-27-11, 01:31 AM   #1
Bmello
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Default looking for a low power modem and router

I was wondering if anybody can recommended a router/modem with the least amount of power consumption preferably with wireless N? I own a Motorola Cable Modem, Netgear draft N router, Hd homerun tv tuner and an Ooma telo. Those four devices are drawing 24 watts. They are on 24/7.
At one point I had the setup on a timer. Unfortunately I bought an Ooma telo for free phone calls, the Ooma needs to be on all the time. I'm curious if anybody has had luck with an all in one cable modem router, or knows of a separate combo that uses less energy.

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Old 03-02-11, 11:59 AM   #2
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Not sure how well this functions as the review states...but here:
wireless router » Low Power PCs
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Old 03-02-11, 12:19 PM   #3
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I think my netgear router (no idea on the model number, its older) draws about 4-5W constant. Its not horrible, but I wouldn't mind having one that draws less.
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Old 03-02-11, 12:47 PM   #4
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This guy has a few good ideas:
You could shut off the wireless transmitter (if it has one and you don't use it all of the time).

He also reduces the supplied voltage to his modem with a bit of a hack, but it is more than I would wish to do. If you were going to go that far, you may get some benefit from one power supply that provides DC to all devices.

Some ideas from me:
If it is available for your router, you can install dd-wrt which allows you to do all sorts of nifty things with it. It has some settings that would affect power consumption, mostly to do with the wireless transmitter. You can check if your device is supported here.

Also, 24 watts seems like an ideal application for solar - you may want to check out Xringer's series on his backup solar project.
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Old 03-02-11, 03:17 PM   #5
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I used to have a Netgear all in one Modem/Router that used only 6 watts.
It failed after a few months. I have been reluctant to try another all in one device.

Solar is the sole reason I am putting so much thought into lower all my appliances. I have two 110 panels, and plan on finding a place to set them up after all this snow melts.
I installed the DD-WRT filmware about a month ago, it helped with dropped wireless signal. I would be really interested DD-WRT tweaks that could decrease power.

Thanks for your suggestions.
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Old 03-02-11, 03:49 PM   #6
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My solar backup system is wired to run all my PC hardware, Fios box, combo wifi-modem unit.
It uses a MSW inverter and I've tested it out on my loads. Seems to work okay.
But, I have not been using it during times of bad weather or snow melting.
Since my primary app for back-up is to run my sump pumps.

Using Solar PV to take over a (12V 2A) 24w 24-7 load would likely cost you more than it's worth.
You would need to be able to quickly recharge the battery and feed the load at the same time.



Maybe you could build it bare-bones and could manually switch back to the grid when the battery got low.?.
A few cloudy days in a row.

Maybe a 100w panel and a charge controller that had a load controller built in.
The load output would shut down when the battery got too low. Like this one. Saves the life of you battery..

Morningstar SunSaver Charge Controller, 10A, 12 VDC
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Old 03-02-11, 04:18 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmello View Post
I installed the DD-WRT filmware about a month ago, it helped with dropped wireless signal. I would be really interested DD-WRT tweaks that could decrease power.

Thanks for your suggestions.
I am using the Tomato firmware which is similar to DD-WRT.
To reduce power consumption and add security I reduced the Wi-Fi transmit power and reduced the time that Wi-Fi is enabled.

On my router I reduced the transmit power from 42mW to 30mW and disabled wireless from 12PM to 5AM.

My router is a Linksys WRT54G V2.0 with Tomato 1.28.


(I finally registered here after being a member at ecomodder for a year)

Last edited by Angmaar; 09-01-11 at 10:47 AM..
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Old 03-02-11, 04:31 PM   #8
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Welcome to ER.

What kind of power reduction at the plug did you see from your tweaks?
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Old 03-02-11, 07:44 PM   #9
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@Xringer

I have a real amateur setup Two Mitsubishi 110 panels
Xantrex 1,500 Watt Portable Powerpack and an extra 63ah Concord deep cycle battery, It's enough energy to power my small devices for several hour.
The powerpack has a built in inverter and it beeps really loud when the batteries are getting low.

I had the Morningstar charge controller you posted and sold it.
I need one that could support more than one panel.
I picked up Sunforce 30 Amp Digital Charge Controller.
I really want to see what it would cost to grid tie, and pick up a few more panels. You can purchase 200watt panels for the around the same price I paid for the 100watt panels

@Angmaar
I will surely be looking at the Tomato firmware

Thanks!
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Old 03-02-11, 08:17 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox View Post
Welcome to ER.

What kind of power reduction at the plug did you see from your tweaks?
I don't have a KillAWatt yet. I'll test it if/when I get one though.

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