Web Power Switch price increase

bp2008

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Some of you may know about the Web Power Switch by Digital Loggers. 8 remotely switchable outlets for $130. A couple months ago apparently the price went up to $195 (a 50% price hike). They're also launching a new "Pro" model of web power switch that includes wifi (why the hell would I want this?) at $169. Either way, it is a higher price, and I've personally had 3 out of 9 web power switches fail so I'm not enthusiastic about continuing to buy their products.

Anyone know of a good alternative?
 

Nathan

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I have an EPCR5 from them, bummer about the price increase for the other models. What do the failure modes look like? How long in service? I have both APC and Raritan managed/metered PDUs at work but they are significantly more expensive and have weak scripting/API capabilities compared to DL. I always felt DL found themselves in a unique niche pro-sumer market and at a nice price point.
 

bp2008

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In my experience when one of the relays fails the outlet will no longer turn on. My most recent web power switch failure, when I try to turn a failed outlet on or off it instead blinks on for a split second and turns back off.

I have an Ubiquiti mPower-Pro now that I'm going to try instead of buying another web power switch (it cost only $68 used). As I understand it, it doesn't have a standalone web interface of its own for outlet control, but I should be able to SSH into it to control outlets according to an amazon review.
 

bp2008

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It doesn't seem to be possible to set device names (maybe that requires the mFi controller software). But the controls in the web browser work fine. For some reason it uses a web socket to do outlet controls which makes it more difficult to automate with other software.

No AutoPing like a web power switch has.

But per-port voltage and power usage readouts are nice!
 

bp2008

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Benak

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I'm not planning on using this for automation right away. Mostly I want to be able to remotely reboot things if they become unresponsive while I'm not at home. Thanks for the API links, @tangent and @Nathan. Those will come in handy if I ever decide I need to automate one of the outlets.

I also came across this Solved: mpower - how to change port name without mfi controler? - Ubiquiti Networks Community which will definitely be useful.
Not the cheapest but has alarms for low or high temp too:

http://tyconsystems.com/index.php/products/tycon-power/tpdin-monitor-web/751-tpdin-monitor-web2

No AC rated relay contacts but you could add a relay and drive that DC coil to switch AC devices
 
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