Digital line voltage monitor available?

RCtime · 10-21-2008, 08:03 AM

I currently have a rather inexpensive AC line voltage monitor that I keep plugged into an AC oputlet in the motorhome. I think it cost less than $15.00 at Campingworld. I suspect its accuracy.
Is there a like product available but in a digital reading?

RCtime · 10-21-2008, 08:03 AM

I currently have a rather inexpensive AC line voltage monitor that I keep plugged into an AC oputlet in the motorhome. I think it cost less than $15.00 at Campingworld. I suspect its accuracy.
Is there a like product available but in a digital reading?

Route 66 · 10-21-2008, 08:34 AM

Here ya go.

LINE MONITOR

FrankO · 10-21-2008, 08:40 AM

I have one similar to this AC Monitor.. Works much better than the analog style.
Frank O.

autofish · 10-21-2008, 08:45 AM

Why dont you cheek the accuracy with a good vom.Accuracy is often not a factor of analog vs digital but cost.

John Hilley · 10-21-2008, 09:22 AM

Onan sells one in their online parts store
Onan Digital Voltmeter It is only $10.00 plus shipping. You will have to put in a Model and Spec to get to the order page. I used BGE and P This link will work directly Digital Voltmeter

GaryKD · 10-21-2008, 10:33 AM

Hi Ron,
If your coach is 50 AMP service, you'll need two devices. One for each side of the incoming power.

RCtime · 10-21-2008, 01:02 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GaryKD:
Hi Ron,
If your coach is 50 AMP service, you'll need two devices. One for each side of the incoming power. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
------------------------------------------------
When I plug a monitor in a 110 outlet inside the coach, how do you tell which side of the incoming line you are on? Put one in the kitchen and then one in the bedroom?
What about when you are attatched to 30 amp. pedistal.
I dont understand. Shouldnt I get the same reading from every outlet inside the coach?
I do have 50 amp.setup.

AFChap · 10-21-2008, 01:51 PM

I have the digital line monitor that Dirk linked to from Camping World. It works great. I also have a hard-wire surge guard, so the line monitor basically serves as a backup. It has alarmed on a few occasions for ground or polarity faults in addition to voltage.

SCVJeff · 10-21-2008, 02:19 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Route 66:
Here ya go.

LINE MONITOR </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Same one I have and it displays accurately, even on the MSW inverter. It also has a audible GFI alarm.

GaryKD · 10-21-2008, 03:05 PM

Ron,
I'll do my best to explain what I said.

"When I plug a monitor in a 110 outlet inside the coach, how do you tell which side of the incoming line you are on?"

You will need to go to your 110V AC breaker panel. Turn off all the breakers. Turn off your inverter. Turn on all the breakers on the right or left column. Find an outlet that has power. For those outlets that have power, choose the best one to plug in the monitor.

Repeat the process for the other side of the breaker panel. Make sure you turn off everything first.

Now you are monitoring each side of your 50 AMP service. A 50 AMP service makes 100 AMPS available to the coach. 50 AMPS on each of the two incoming legs. It is important to monitor each side of the input line. One never knows:
1. if the CG pedistal is/remains balanced on both legs
2. the coach has the electric load drawing equally from both legs
3. based on how you use the coach electricity, it is good to know if your use is balanced on both legs or biased toward one side of the power input.
------------------------------------------------
The second question is "What about when you are attatched to 30 amp. pedistal."

30 AMPS is 30 AMPS and that is it. Both sides of your coach breaker panel must share the entire 30 AMPS. Both of your monitors will read the same. This is why it is important to have the line monitors. A 50 AMP service really provides 100 AMPS. A 30 AMP service provides 30 AMPS. Many do not realize when at a 30 AMP service they have only 30% of the AMPS they have when at a 50 AMP service.

RCtime · 10-21-2008, 04:05 PM

Gary
thanks so much for your explanation.
I had to read it 5-6 times and it finally sunk in.
Going to CW tomorow and get the monitor that is now on sale.
Thanks all for your input.

paz · 10-22-2008, 02:44 AM

Another option, although significantly more expensive, is a surge protector that will not only monitor the voltage, but will automatically shut down if the voltage goes beyond an acceptable level (120V +/- 10%). That way, you don't have to watch the voltage yourself and you are protected even when you're away from the coach.

We have the Progressive Industries 50A hardwired model which has its own monitor that can be mounted remotely inside the coach in case you still want to watch the numbers yourself. The surge protectors are also available in 30A and in portable models.

GaryKD · 10-22-2008, 03:03 AM

I have both a Surge Guard protector and line monitors.

Route 66 · 10-22-2008, 03:05 AM

Paz makes a good point.

An EMS is always on duty, whereas a meter will only indicate that damage may have already occurred from an electrical problem.

hamguy · 10-22-2008, 09:27 AM

Digital meters are not normally inherently better (more acccurate) than analog. I have one analog line meter that I watch and have checked it with 2 different analog and 3 different digitals. It reads within 1 tick (2 Volts extrapolated down to =/- 1Volt) mark of the digital readings. That is more than close enough for me. And, the analog is much cheaper.

becks · 10-22-2008, 10:08 AM

RC.... AS others have stated, give some thought to getting a surge protector. You want to be protected at all times. If you should have a problem it can be very expensive replacing electronics in your coach. WE have the Pro Ind's hard wire model with remote monitor. Its cheap insurance.

RCtime · 10-22-2008, 01:08 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by becks:
RC.... AS others have stated, give some thought to getting a surge protector. You want to be protected at all times. If you should have a problem it can be very expensive replacing electronics in your coach. WE have the Pro Ind's hard wire model with remote monitor. Its cheap insurance. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
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-You are so right. I have been looking at them for awhile now.
How much of a job is it to wire one in?
Do you have the same one Paz has?

GaryKD · 10-22-2008, 02:15 PM

Ron,
I have the portable Surge Guard, with the locking attachment. After 3 years it has performed as advertised. I would make the same purchase again. The only installation is to plug it in. Go here and read all about it.

cvrvr · 10-23-2008, 06:16 AM

When I first purchased our MH 5 years ago, I purchased a Good Governer plug in digital voltage tester. I won't plug into a campground pedistal until I have checked the voltage and polarity.

George