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Topic ClosedVoltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel
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k4fcp View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Location: Blacksburg, VA
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Posts: 25 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel
    Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 10:13am
I like it except it would have to be mounted where you could see it.  I put a 12v plug in the side of the dinette nearest the refrigerator (easy to pull power from) and use a Vector monitor.  It can be turned,twisted, etc. so I can easily glance at my battery voltage.  A Y plug is great for charging two
devices or charging one and still monitoring the battery.
Rich
2013 R-177
2013 Ford F 150 4X4
(yeah, bought a new truck)!
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 9:11am
Wow, nice set up. It looks like you know exactly what your AC feed is doing. I use a plug in surge protector at the feed point, but it doesn't provide any performance data except for some LED lights that indicate ground and polarity status.  
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 8:47am
Our surge protector monitors the incoming 120v feed, and has a remote display. We added two 12v charge points and a 120v plug with built in USB points. I built my own 12v monitor panel for $3 from ebay parts.








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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 8:26pm
I unplugged the pod for the afternoon until the voltage rose again.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 309 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 4:28pm
Or fire up the generator.  Big smile
John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 3:33pm
Originally posted by techntrek

... but I'm glad I caught it.  

Ok, so if it's bad what do you do? Shut it down and go without? Or pack up and leave the campsite. 
Cliff & Raelynn
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 2:22pm
Correct on the voltage - once you get down about 10%, or around 108 volts, you can start damaging equipment in the pod like the A/C compressor.  Like on a hot summer day when everyone has their A/Cs on high.  I've only found one campsite where this was a problem, but I'm glad I caught it.  Same goes on the other end, once you get above 132.  It is easier to just remember 110-bad 120-good 130-bad.
 
As long as the 30 amp breaker on the power pole doesn't trip, you are fine. 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 309 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 12:18pm
Originally posted by Podster

...
Question: Why do I need to monitor my AC feed?

From what I've been reading, the voltage in different parks can vary quite a bit, ranging from spikes down to brown outs & worse.  In other words, you can't just plug into a 30-amp outlet and know you're getting 110 (or 120 or whatever it's supposed to be). Bad mojo for A/Cs, computers & Lord knows what else.

I don't know how to test for whether the line is delivering 30 amps or not.  Maybe that new Kill A Watt gadget will tell me.  Doug?
John & Teri
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E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 10:25am
I use my TV to charge and maintain my low voltage gizmos. I also have a 400w power inverter for other stuff. 

Question: Why do I need to monitor my AC feed?

A little off-topic but Dang! I do like the mutli-panel device and wish I would have know about it when I built my Solar rechargeable 24 Amp Hour QRP field battery power supply for operating on High Frequency Radio. 
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 9:46am
Bonjour, if you search the forums for 12 volt socket or voltmeter, you'll find lot's of different ways we have done installs.

I preferred to keep them separate. You may click the link in my sig to see my voltmeter and 12 volt socket installs.

Hope that helps.

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
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