AC Outlet Analyser

[Les Gilliam]

Just thought I would let everyone know that Radio Shack is having a clearance sale on their AC-Outlet Analysers. They normally sell for $5.98, but while they last they are going for 98 cents each. They are great for checking the campsite AC before hooking up your shore power.

[Zed2]

Do you have the part number?
Thanks,
Keith

[Les Gilliam]

Hi Keith,

The receipt I have shows "AC Outlet Tester" and a number 2200101. The container which it came in has a number 22-101B on it. I am not sure which is the part number, but I suspect it is the latter. In he store where I bought mine, it was in the same rack as the mult-meters.

[ALANSD]

Thanks for that info, I was just looking to buy one of these.
Also how about a question from one with limited electrical experience- when I use my digital volt tester what settings should it be on for testing dc outlets in the coach, and ac also?

If I probe the dc outlets , I get a reading of what seems
way higher than 12v when on shore power. Lights and all seem to be working ok, but I want to be sure of the reading for voltage
If it is not right that indicates a problem with the univolt?

[john hd]

alan,

what do you have for a meter? what are the settings available?

john

[ALANSD]

I have an elktro-tek digital
Settings are 600 or 200 V~

600 200 20 2 V-...

mA 200m 20m 2m

or the ohm sign side=
20m 2m 200k

20k 2k/> 200/>

probes plug into com and V ohm M A or 10A

I am somewhat clueless on this and the manual might as well be in chinese.
However I am willing to learn

[john hd]

alan,

~ equals a.c. voltages, i.e. your shore power

- equals d.c. voltages, i.e. your 12v circuits, batterys in general.

connect to com.(black lead) and v(red lead) terminals with your probes. avoid the 10a terminal as this is used to connect your meter in series with a circuit(you will never use it unless your trouble shooting a circuit board)

the 20 200 600 denotes voltage. you will notice the decimal point moves between 20 and 200.

what are the "strange" readings you are getting on shore power?

john

[ALANSD]

evidently the strange thing is how I have been using the meter, I will try again now and see what happens.
Would you plug the two probes right into an ac outlet to check it?

What alerted me to a problem in the making was-
My tv/vcr has been acting up these past few days, the tv works, but vcr won't and the power light flashes...but now it is also doing that when plugged in my house as well, so I think the motorhome is ok and the tv is screwed. Thanks for the help, I will post again after I check voltage again.

[john hd]

yes you would put both probes in the outlet, if you are testing modern outlets put the black probe in the left side. then the red one goes in the right.

to test the outlet for proper polarity, take the red lead and insert it into the ground hole. you should get zero volts. then move the black to the ground and take the red and check both sides of the outlet you should only have voltage on the right side.

if you have 120v on the left the out let is wired backwards.

of couse this is assuming you are looking at it like this.

I i
.


the left side should always have a larger slot.

john

[ALANSD]

Thanks again- basic info for some of us is a good thing.
It is amazing how bad the manual for my meter is.