Monitoring the power line and appliances - Montana Owners Club

Ishler · 06-10-2006, 04:54 PM

Here is a neat little tool I've had for several years. I paid more than twice this for mine. http://www.supermediastore.com/kilwateldet1.html
It has a digital display and shows Volts, Amps, Watts, KWHrs, Frequency, Power factor. It's a steal for less that $20

dsprik · 06-10-2006, 05:10 PM

Mike, this will do what the one that everyone here gets for their Monty will do?

*On edit~ What I'm wondering is if this unit will constantly monitor INCOMING line voltage w/o anything plugged into it (but while it is plugged into the socket, of course)

Wrenchtraveller · 06-10-2006, 05:52 PM

That is a great idea and I want to get one of those just to see what you can run on limited power.
On my recent trip we spent 12 days at a Trailer Park that only had a standard 110 plug so we were watching our power the whole time. I would put my coffee machine on in the morning and just have one 12 volt light on over the kitchen table until the coffee was made. We never tripped a breaker the whole time and we even used our Splendide washer but always just one major appliance on at a time.

JH Sechelt · 06-10-2006, 06:15 PM

All these are all good things to have.

I put one in that monitors AC & DC. Mainly for the DC part. Gives you voltage and amperage ( Used or supplied ) AC gives you voltage and monitor shows (true RMS); AC frequency;

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...m?skunum=27392

J&D

richfaa · 06-11-2006, 01:46 AM

Perhaps the description is not detailed enough on their web site but it looks like the Kill-a-watt is looking at ONE appliance at a time only and not monitoring the incoming power to the camper. It is a handy device .

Ishler · 06-11-2006, 02:25 AM

Dave and Rich
When plugged in it monitors Volts or Frequency. When you plug an appliance into it, you can see the power draw in amps, watts, watt-hours and the powerfactor(efficency)of the item plugged in. I origionally got it to monitor my old generator during Ham Radio field events. I got a voltmeter (the one I told you about Rich) for a quick check and monitor in the trailer, but I may buy another of these to supliment it.

dsprik · 06-11-2006, 02:31 AM

So Mike, you're saying that if I bought this $18 item, I would still need an additional, more expensive, line monitor?

MikeandBarb · 06-11-2006, 02:33 AM

This tool sounds like a great gift idea for those "hard to buy for guys"! Got one ordered! Thanks Mike! Barb

Ishler · 06-11-2006, 05:32 AM

Dave
It depends, it will monitor AC voltage and frequency when it's plugged in to an outlet. What do you want/need to monitor?

dsprik · 06-11-2006, 05:36 AM

Campground line voltage drop that could fry your onboard appliances...

Ishler · 06-11-2006, 09:39 AM

Dave
It'll work fine for that as will the digital monitor that onan sells for $10 but the Kill-A-Watt will do a lot more for an additional $8. If you ever use a generator it's reassuring to know it's on frequency.

dsprik · 06-11-2006, 06:43 PM

Thanks, Mike. I'll pick one up.

richfaa · 06-12-2006, 01:44 AM

Ishler..Thanks for the tip on the Kill-a-watt//I like the idea of being able to monitor the frequency wnen on EG..Ordered one up...

D and M On The Road · 06-12-2006, 04:23 AM

Mike.... thanks for the information on this. I'm going to check to see if I can buy this locally in time for Father's Day and if not, I'll be ordering one.

EDIT: I just did some research on this product and *WOW* it's something I wish we already had.

I was going to get one anyways because I thought it's under $20 and sounds like it would be a handy gizmo and Richfaa (who is more anal than I am, sorry Rich..

) is getting one so it must be okay.

I tried to find it locally (which I can't) but I did come up with quite a few reviews of it and all are giving it high marks for doing what it is supposed to do and the ease of usage. Some of the reviews I came across were eye openers with some neat tips in how to reduce wattage use in the home.

The link you supplied is the lowest price of it I can find in my short research. The average price I am seeing it for is $30.

I think I might buy a couple of these before everyone catches onto this and the supply runs out or the price goes up.

Margee.

Ishler · 06-12-2006, 10:55 AM

D&M & Rich
That's why I made the post! I knew it was a great deal (that's why I bought another one to keep in the Montana full time).

Mike

Montana Sky · 06-12-2006, 04:20 PM

I just bought a voltage meter today for the coach. Cost was $21.36 including tax. This one is not digital, has a needle that shows the voltage and will not "fry" due to a power spike. Will be plugging this in tomorrow to see how it works.

richfaa · 06-15-2006, 10:25 AM

Received the kill-A-Watt today..what a handy gadget..18.00 well spent. Our Toaster draws 7.47amps and our electric heater on high draws 12.74amps.. Incoming freq 59.9 Cycles and voltage 121.3 steady.Thanks for the tip ishler..

D and M On The Road · 06-15-2006, 12:30 PM

Our Kill-a-Watt was waiting for me on the front porch when I got home yesterday. I don't get to play with it until I give it to Doug for Father's Day. Somehow I don't think this is what he wanted for Father's Day but I can't afford a boat or a fishing trip to Alaska so this will have to do.

Rich... sounds like you are having fun with your Kill-a-Watt. We'll have to compare toasters.

dsprik · 06-15-2006, 05:42 PM

Does this mean mine is coming in tomorrow???

Montana Sky · 06-16-2006, 08:54 AM

I have been testing the voltage in the coach while using different items. I ran both a/c's, the tv, and the microwave at the same time yesterday and found the meter to read 120volts with all that running. What really amazed me was when I ran both electric space heaters at once, volts dropped to 116 volts. Amazing that 2 space heaters pull more power than both a/c's a tv, and the microwave.

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