Making sure the power's on

[Stefrobrts]

Does anyone have any clever ideas for knowing if you're plugged into 110v or not? I have had several occasions where we plugged into power at the campground, and either forget to throw the breaker to turn on the power or turned on the wrong one on the campground power box. Since all our lights and accessories are 12v, we usually don't notice until a couple hours later when we wonder why the fridge isn't cold yet, or the battery starts to run out and the lights go dim. Does anyone else have this problem with their vintage, mostly 12v unit? As far as I can tell the Intellipower just sits there and blinks whether it's plugged into shore power or not. Is there any other easy way to tell if you're plugged in?

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Does anyone have any clever ideas for knowing if you're plugged into 110v or not? I have had several occasions where we plugged into power at the campground, and either forget to throw the breaker to turn on the power or turned on the wrong one on the campground power box. Since all our lights and accessories are 12v, we usually don't notice until a couple hours later when we wonder why the fridge isn't cold yet, or the battery starts to run out and the lights go dim. Does anyone else have this problem with their vintage, mostly 12v unit? As far as I can tell the Intellipower just sits there and blinks whether it's plugged into shore power or not. Is there any other easy way to tell if you're plugged in?

Stef,

Plug a night light into one of the 110V outlets or turn on the A/C. If you have a microwave, see if the clock blinks 12:00.

Bill

[SteSpot]

Actually there is a little tester that you can plug into your outlet that will tell you if your polarity is correct. If all the little lights are green, everything is fine. If the polarity is wrong, it will let you know....I don't know what it is called....perhaps a polarity tester but I keep one handy and use it each time we hook up.....it let's you know if there is something not right with the 110 hookup.....paula

[SteSpot]

It looks like this: Circuit Siren™ Audible Circuit Breaker, Continuity, and Polarity Electrical Tester Kit - Content

[richinny]

i have this one, it tests gfi's too.

Gardner Bender Ground Fault Indicator Tester; 1/Cd, 10Cds/Master - GFI-501A at The Home Depot

i'm going to use my computer UPS. it beeps when the power goes out.

[Stefrobrts]

That's a good idea. No AC or microwave, but a little nightlight or something would probably do the trick.

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by richinny

i have this one, it tests gfi's too.

Gardner Bender Ground Fault Indicator Tester; 1/Cd, 10Cds/Master - GFI-501A at The Home Depot

i'm going to use my computer UPS. it beeps when the power goes out.

guess I am going to have to upgrade to that one although I don't think I have any gfi outlets in our trailer.....perhaps we should.....thanks, paula

[azflycaster]

This is what the outlet opposite the door on my trailer looks like. Volt meter and polarity checker, can't miss them when you walk in.

[SteSpot]

Thanks Richard....that is perfect....paula

[BillTex]

Why not just look at your monitor panel or fridge?

Bill

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Why not just look at your monitor panel or fridge?

Bill

Spoken like someone with a newer trailer Caravels don't have monitor panels, and the fridge has no readouts or lights of any kind. But I did find a little led nightlight for now and plugged it in next to the intellipower and it lit up when I plugged the trailer in, so I think that will do the trick for the moment. I like the idea of one of those poliarity testers too, I'll have to look for one of those.

[CanoeStream]

Richard, is that a plug-in meter or actually part of the outlet. The perspective throws me off.

Stephanie, I keep one of these plugged into an unused outlet visible from the door of my Safari. Like Richard's, the bonus is that it tells me if I have a voltage brownout and better not run the A/C. [ We won't tell the rest of the country how little we have to run our A/C...] I also keep an eye on whether the auto-set fridge switches away from electric and over to gas.

[Westfalia]

Yep, nightlight or tester. I actually like the tester as it has caught a few miswired boxes at campgrounds.

[peegreen]

I have three of those luminous? type nightlights that sort of glow blue or green, come in very small sizes and also come in multi packs. I have one plugged in the bathroom, an outlet near the floor by the entry door and one in the kitchen. they give off a very soft glow but just enough illumination to make your way into the bathroom or get up to get a drink. My newer A/S does not have a "power on" light on the monitor panel.

[azflycaster]

Both items plug into the outlets. I have seen the volt meter at CW and the polarity tester at HD.

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

I also keep an eye on whether the auto-set fridge switches away from electric and over to gas.

You guys are really making me jealous! I have to go outside and access the back of the fridge to switch it from one source to another. Dang, AC, microwaves, monitor panels, auto-switching fridges, what's next

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Both items plug into the outlets. I have seen the volt meter at CW and the polarity tester at HD.

I have the volt meter plugged in constantly over the kitchen counter. It obviously shows whether we have power, but it's always there and on to monitor what we have coming in. It's not unusual to see that voltage fluctuate under load. It might save you an A/C compressor if campground's voltage sags under a hot summer's sun.

Keep in mind that the particular model that Richard and I have has a variance factor of plus minus 10%. If I had to do it over, I'd try to buy a unit that is a little better than that.

Jack

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

You guys are really making me jealous! ..... Dang, AC, microwaves, monitor panels, auto-switching fridges, what's next

I had another thought -- the automatic toilet seat drops to the default position (down) if the power goes out.
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[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

I have the volt meter plugged in constantly over the kitchen counter. It obviously shows whether we have power, but it's always there and on to monitor what we have coming in. It's not unusual to see that voltage fluctuate under load. It might save you an A/C compressor if campground's voltage sags under a hot summer's sun.

Keep in mind that the particular model that Richard and I have has a variance factor of plus minus 10%. If I had to do it over, I'd try to buy a unit that is a little better than that.

Jack

Since we are having our 68 Ambassador renovated, I would like to upgrade to a better unit....(voltage tester, I mean) as we will have a new 68 when we are done....do you know of a better voltage tester that has a lower variance, Jack?

[Excella CM]

A nobler answer to the problem would be to wire in a small socket and use a NEON GLOW LAMP. They use negligible power, have a comforting glow, and last forever. For example see:




B1A NE-51 NE51 Neon Lamp Bulb Qty 10 - eBay (item 130221769492 end time May-18-08 07:34:07 PDT)