Installed an ammeter and voltmeter in panel

[thinder]

Though someone might like this. It's a bayite power information panel. It has amps, volts, watts and kWh. I installed it in my CB panel with the induction coil around the AC input line to give me total power into the trailer

[HiJoeSilver]

Thanks for the info, they're pretty cheap, I'll have to look into getting one.

[bkahler]

Thanks for posting this. I recently bought the same AC display unit and also an identical one for DC but have not yet installed them so it's nice to see one in action

Brad

[thinder]

I wired mine in on the supply side of the breaker so it's immediately powered when shore power is available. That probably has some negatives and I installed it in the CB box cover and that's probably got a few detractors too

[DRPREECE]

I wired mine in on the supply side of the breaker so it's immediately powered when shore power is available. That probably has some negatives and I installed it in the CB box cover and that's probably got a few detractors too

Well, you did violate a few NEC codes on both accounts - just sayin'.

The wiring to the supply side is placing the protection of the device and connection wiring at the hands of the power pedestal breaker - which is most likely 30 Amps (or even worse - 50 amp). This makes the connection wire or more likely a trace on the circuit board the "fuse". Hope and pray nothing shorts to ground in the device as it will just burn into the clear - and fail the device.

The placing the device in the cover of the CB box negates the protective purpose of the cover - and - also violates the UL or ETL or CSA listing of the CB box since it has been modified for an unlisted purpose.

Believe it or not, circuit breakers fail - sometimes in an "eventful" (industry term for explosive) manner. The cover is there to contain these failures and prevent the spread of the burning debris.

The violation of the UL / ETL / CSA listing is probably your biggest issue - if you ever have an insurance claim due to any electrical event or an electrically caused fire, your insurance investigator will most likely deny your claim. All insurers in the USA require the use of UL/ETL listed devices in electrical circuits and their use must be in the manner of the listing. Else, the owner pays.

You had your reasons for installing the device the way you did - and as the owner, you have the right to do so - it is YOUR risk (and the risk is also shared by all who are with you in your RV). I just wanted to let others know there are actual reasons for electrical codes and why certain devices are the way they are.

Best of luck.

[dmbecke]

Can someone explain how what this data is telling me and how to use it?
Thanks

[thinder]

Originally Posted by dmbecke

Can someone explain how what this data is telling me and how to use it?
Thanks

The data is voltage on the AC system, amperage draw on the AC system, total wattage being used and the total power used since the button was reset. You can use it to see what load you're putting on your gens or the load on your shore power. Particularly valuable for us rule breakers.

[thinder]

Originally Posted by DRPREECE

Well, you did violate a few NEC codes on both accounts - just sayin'.



The wiring to the supply side is placing the protection of the device and connection wiring at the hands of the power pedestal breaker - which is most likely 30 Amps (or even worse - 50 amp). This makes the connection wire or more likely a trace on the circuit board the "fuse". Hope and pray nothing shorts to ground in the device as it will just burn into the clear - and fail the device.



The placing the device in the cover of the CB box negates the protective purpose of the cover - and - also violates the UL or ETL or CSA listing of the CB box since it has been modified for an unlisted purpose.



Believe it or not, circuit breakers fail - sometimes in an "eventful" (industry term for explosive) manner. The cover is there to contain these failures and prevent the spread of the burning debris.



The violation of the UL / ETL / CSA listing is probably your biggest issue - if you ever have an insurance claim due to any electrical event or an electrically caused fire, your insurance investigator will most likely deny your claim. All insurers in the USA require the use of UL/ETL listed devices in electrical circuits and their use must be in the manner of the listing. Else, the owner pays.



You had your reasons for installing the device the way you did - and as the owner, you have the right to do so - it is YOUR risk (and the risk is also shared by all who are with you in your RV). I just wanted to let others know there are actual reasons for electrical codes and why certain devices are the way they are.



Best of luck.

Thanks for the info.

[tjdonahoe]

A friend wired one with outside air temperature, when he unrolled his awning, he found about a dozen spaced holes drilled in it....lol

[thinder]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

A friend wired one with outside air temperature, when he unrolled his awning, he found about a dozen spaced holes drilled in it....lol

That is AWESOME!!! Poor guy! But if you can't laugh, you'll cry!