R-pod Owners Forum : Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel

R-pod Owners Forum : Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 02 Aug 2026 14:05:48 +0000 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 10:13:41 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=5495 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : I like it except it would have... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53496#53496 Author: k4fcp
Subject: 5495
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.
]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2014 10:13:41 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53496#53496 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : Wow, nice set up. It looks like... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53492#53492 Author: Podster
Subject: 5495
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. ]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:11:10 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53492#53492 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : Our surge protector monitors the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53491#53491 Author: furpod
Subject: 5495
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.

]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:47:53 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53491#53491 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : I unplugged the pod for the afternoon... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53465#53465 Author: techntrek
Subject: 5495
Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 8:26pm

I unplugged the pod for the afternoon until the voltage rose again.]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:26:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53465#53465 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : Or fire up the generator. https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53451#53451 Author: Luv2Q
Subject: 5495
Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 4:28pm

Or fire up the generator. Big smile

]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:28:09 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53451#53451 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : Originally posted by techntrek ...... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53449#53449 Author: Podster
Subject: 5495
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.

]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:33:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53449#53449 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : Correct on the voltage - once... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53445#53445 Author: techntrek
Subject: 5495
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.

]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:22:54 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53445#53445 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : Originally posted by Podster...Question:... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53434#53434 Author: Luv2Q
Subject: 5495
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?

]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:18:27 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53434#53434 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : I use my TV to charge and... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53424#53424 Author: Podster
Subject: 5495
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.

]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:25:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53424#53424 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : Bonjour, if you search the forums... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53419#53419 Author: fwunder
Subject: 5495
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

]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:46:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53419#53419 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : Bingo! Just ordered one. Thanks,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53416#53416 Author: Luv2Q
Subject: 5495
Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 9:20am

Bingo! Just ordered one. Thanks, Doug ...]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:20:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53416#53416 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : To monitor 120 AC I leave... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53413#53413 Author: techntrek
Subject: 5495
Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 8:22am

To monitor 120 AC I leave my Kill-A-Watt plugged in where I can see it throughout the day. Since it doesn't get used day-to-day for anything else it is a good use of it on camping trips.]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 08:22:00 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53413#53413 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : This looks pretty slick! I... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53408#53408 Author: Luv2Q
Subject: 5495
Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 6:36am

This looks pretty slick! I personally would like to see one more meter, though: 120v AC (though that complicates the install). Can't help you with your questions. I'd guess an on-off switch is probably not a bad idea to keep drain to a minimum when boondocking. Does it need to be fused? Well, what if you plugged something that sucked a ton of juice through the wiring (please excuse my technical terminology) and ended up overloading your wiring? I'd say a fuse is probably a good idea. What's the max amperage you might plug into either of the chargers (but especially the 12v)? That would probably give you an idea of the wire size and fuse rating you'll need.

Good luck on this .. Hope you get some good quality answers. Smile

]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2014 06:36:04 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53408#53408 Voltmeter, USB, socket multi-panel : It seems pretty clear that a separate... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53401#53401 Author: Bonjour
Subject: 5495
Posted: 29 Oct 2014 at 10:58pm

It seems pretty clear that a separate voltmeter would be useful to monitor the battery. Also it would be be nice to have additional ways to power/charge various electronics. I found this multi-panel device on Amazon and wonder how well you think it would work?

How important would it be to have an on/off switch?

Would this need to be connected into a fuse slot?

My electrical ability hovers around zero and I would need someone to install it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

]]> Wed, 29 Oct 2014 22:58:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5495&PID=53401#53401