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Open Roads Forum  >  Tech Issues  > keeping track of watts, amps voltage Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  |  Oldest first Newest first  Page of 3   Next jerb • View posts phillipsburg, KS Full Member Joined: 07/31/2008 View Profile Offline Posted: 02/03/12 06:26pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator anybody have a link to a all in one permanent mount panel that can read out voltage, amps being used? maybe even an alarm for running batteries too low? can measure both ac and dc volts? for under $100 or there abouts, thanks Golden_HVAC • View posts Fulltime, CA, USA Senior Member Joined: 08/19/2003 View Profile Offline Posted: 02/03/12 06:34pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator Yea all for under a grand! Not exactly under $100 thought. I bought a E-meter, and was thinking the $375 would be much better spend on a additional 75 watt solar panel (that is what they cost in 1997) yet the dear wife talked me into it. It carefully monitors the amp hours leaving the batteries, and what is recharged, so you get a really good idea of how much power in in the batteries while dry camping. It probably prolonged the original battery life too! As for the AC amps, I normally make good educated guesses on what I can run and not trip the 15 or 20 or 30 amp receptacle that I happened to be plugged into at any given time, and have not tripped a main breaker in a really long time. There is a simple device called a Kill-A-Watt meter that will measure the amperage or wattage of anything 120 volts that you plug into it. About $20 on e-bay nowdays. Sears sells a really nice clamp on DC and AC voltmeter, that will measure DC amperage by clamping the meter around the 1 wire. Most clam on meters only measure the AC amperage, this measures both for about $85. I spent $325 on a DC amp meter back in the 90's, that brand is still that expensive. Fred. jerb • View posts phillipsburg, KS Full Member Joined: 07/31/2008 View Profile Offline Posted: 02/03/12 06:40pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator thanks Fred, have looked at the clamp on meters, wanting something for permanent mount, and really just for the dc side of things, namely voltage and amperage, i usually have a pretty good idea what amps i am using on the a/c side, didnt know if there was an all in one panel, but thought i would ask! skylos • View posts Columbus, OH Senior Member Joined: 06/10/2009 View Profile Offline Posted: 02/03/12 07:00pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator If you were handy with analog electronics you could build one easily by placing shunts on the main lines and mounting dials on a panel. But short of that, well, no, $100 isn't very much in that kind of custom specialty. jerb • View posts phillipsburg, KS Full Member Joined: 07/31/2008 View Profile Offline Posted: 02/03/12 07:04pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator how about a simple digital gauge with a shunt for the dc side of things, just to measure volts and amps?? Chris • View posts Shelter Bay, Wa Senior Member Joined: 12/19/2000 View Profile Good Sam RV Club Member Offline Posted: 02/03/12 07:21pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/po........ccessories/linklite-battery-monitor.aspx I have older brothers Link10 in the boat and E-meter in the trailer. Chris * This post was edited 02/03/12 07:38pm by Chris * My Rig 2001.5 2500 STD CAB AUTO SLT 4x4, CTD 4:10's, Bomb'd to Tow 2005 Cardinal 29WBLX. garym114 • View posts Bluff Dale, Texas Senior Member Joined: 07/24/2006 View Profile Offline Posted: 02/03/12 07:29pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator Digital DC Boat Golf Solar Power Watt Volt Amp Meter For DC measurement: You have to select the amp range you want to measure and get the shunt for that range. 75mV shunt Selectable display, volts, amps or watts Operates on 8-30v DC About $85 delivered Two alarm outputs 2000 Sea Breeze F53 V10 - CR-V Toad Some RV batteries live a long and useful life, some are murdered. Get a Digital Multimeter and Learn How to Use It bigmurf • View posts Anywhere,USA Full Member Joined: 06/17/2006 View Profile Good Sam RV Club Member Offline Posted: 02/03/12 07:44pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator http://www.bogartengineering.com/products/TriMetric Fulltimers 2004 Montana 3655FL, Trailair pinbox and Center Pivot air ride, Disc Brakes 2004.5 Dodge 3500 Dually, 6spd, Edge Juice, RS9000, Pressure Pro System, AFE, Jake Brake, Balance Masters, Mag-Hytec, Oil Guard bypass filter. pianotuna • View posts Regina, SK, Canada Senior Member Joined: 12/18/2004 View Profile Offline Posted: 02/03/12 08:38pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator Hi, How about an inexpensive panel volt meter and a hall effect ammeter? Add a kill-a-watt meter and you are still under that magic $100.00 hall effect ammeter Regards, Don Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts solar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries 2500 watt inverter. sirdrakejr • View posts Las Vegas, Nevada Moderator Joined: 11/18/2001 View Profile Online Posted: 02/03/12 10:24pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator Moved from 5th wheels to tech issues. Frank 2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar. Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  |  Oldest first Newest first  Page of 3   Next Open Roads Forum  >  Tech Issues  > keeping track of watts, amps voltage

Search:   Advanced Search Search only in Tech Issues

Jump to Forum Dear Marcus  - Good Sam Roadside Assistance  - Good Sam Club  - Good Sam Insurance  - Camping World Accessories  - Camping World RV Sales  - Good Sam Extended Service Plan  - Camping World Service and Inst... Recreational Vehicles  - Class A Motorhomes  - Class B - Camping Van Conversi...  - Class C Motorhomes  - Fifth-Wheels  - Folding Trailers  - Hybrid Travel Trailers  - Travel Trailers  - Truck Campers  - Toy Haulers Camping  - Tent Camping  - Family Camping  - Workamping Forum General Forums  - Beginning RVing  - Rallies, Shows and Gatherings  - General RVing Issues  - RV Lifestyle  - Full-time RVing  - Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs  - RVing with Disabilities and Ge...  - RV Pet Stop Technical Resources  - Do It Yourself Modifications a...  - Towing  - Tow Vehicles  - Dinghy Towing  - Technology Corner  - Forum Technical Support  - Tech Issues Locations  - RV Parks, National Parks, Stat...  - Roads and Routes  - Public Lands, Boondocking and ...  - RVing in Canada and Alaska  - RVing in Mexico and South Amer...  - Snowbirds Other Discussions  - Around the Campfire

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