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Electrical info

Yahoo Message Number: 5288
Is there anyway to simply read amperage that you are using inside the coach with a plug in device? For example, I have a Good Governor meter that plugs into an outlet and reads voltage or frequency (digitally) when plugged into shore power or running ones genset. You can see the change in voltages when different items are turned on/off and watch carefully when voltages get down to 105 v or so to protect motors. I have checked the readouts against my multimeter and they seem fairly accurate. I would like to be able to watch amperages as carefully. If no such meter exists can a multimeter be used? How? I have compiled a list of the amperages used by various items in my Allure 2000 which might be of help to others. (I assume these numbers mean per hour). When on AC: Inverter Battery Charger 5.5A; Air conditioner 13A; Heat pump 16A; electric hot water 9A; micro-convection oven 13.2A; washer dryer 15A; frig 3.5A; ice maker 4A; hair dryer 13A; toaster 8.3A...Especially at a campground with 15A one would have to watch the items being used very carefully. Even at a 30A campground one may have to be careful. If my chart is accurate one can keep a tally of the amps being used and turn items off if necessary.
With DC the one heavy item is the furnace at 11Amps.
Remember too that there are always phantom loads...
Back to meters...I am familiar with the Link units and the Trimetric but they require wiring and the addition of a shunt. My skills are not too good and I am not ready to try such a wiring job. Hence my desire for a simple plug in device or use of a multimeter...Any help would be appreciated.

Sorry to ramble but the phantom loads and amperages listed above have relevancy to the battery problems many of us experienced last winter.
Our batteries are draining and one big culprit is the battery charger of the inverter. If you are not plugged into power turn off the inverter at the power box in the rear bedroom or it will drain 5.5A from your battery...This info came from CC techs after the winter season had ended...

Mike Y2K Allure 98 CRV

Re: Electrical info

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5303
I just saw on on the latest edition of RV Today. It was an "inductive meter" that clamps to the battery post, then you turn devices off and on to isolate the drain. They should be able to share the brnbd name.

They said that fridge humity minders, in dash stereos left in standby positon (I did this!!), LPG sniffers, and inverters in stand-by mode were the most likely culprits.

I'm going to give up and switch off my chassis disconnect switch from now on. I am going to make sure the battery charger will still work first, as I'm on two hour per day rotational power.

Chuck Gauthier
Intrigue 11142
La Quinta, CA
 

Re: Electrical info

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5326
You could install a device such as a Link meter which is primarily designed to monitor battery condition. I have a simple one in a boat that has 4 functions including the condition of 1200 amps of gel cell house batteries including amps in the batteries, what is being put into or pulled from them, and current usage. I didn't install it so don't know exactly where all the wires connect.
Doug Allure 30929