Eric S
Boston
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Joined: 05/29/2008
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We're taking our first trip with an RV to Mexico this summer. The Church book recommends taking an electrical tester to test the electricity at RV parks. What kind of tester do I need exactly? I have one at home that is a little three prong plug with several lights on it that tells you if you have proper ground and polarity. Or do I need something with a meter that shows the voltage?
If I need a voltage meter, what do I do with the information it gives me? Not use the hookup if it's outside a certain range? We have a 25 ft. class C if that makes a difference.
Also, where could I buy the meter? Hardware store?
Thanks a lot.
Eric S.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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Lots of answers to that one. I always use little lite gadget you describe before hooking up to be sure wires are connected properly in CG socket.
I also have a voltmeter (from Camping World) plugged into socket inside TT. Some folks use a Kill-A-Watt meter. If the voltage is below 110 VAC I connect a Hughes autoformer, as operating some things, mainly A/C, with voltage below 110 VAC is risky. If voltage with autoformer is STILL below 110 VAC we find another spot (yes, have had that happen in USA, we do not do Mexico so can't comment on their power).
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
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Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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We use the simple little Tester that You have!
We have found the Odd place that has Open ground and/or reversed polarity in Mexico! The current has usually been adequate for Lighting and keeping the Batteries Charged however We will Never trust using it for the Refrigerator and Seldom Run the Air Conditioner!
We have several Electric Fans which do an adequate job of "Cooling". They are pretty inexpensive to replace so We don't worry if they malfunction due to horrible Electric!
When Dry Camping , which is what We prefer to do in Mexico , there is no problem!
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
" Everything in it"Still" Works"
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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The polarity tester with digital meter is the best way to go. Onan model 302-2036 or Prime model 12-4058.
I would stay away from the analog meter.
Bud
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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A Kill-A-Watt is a real handy device to have in any RV along with the little plug-it tester with the three lights that tell you if the receptacle is wired right. It will tell you a lot of things that are nice to know and they are only about $25.00.
120v AC powered devices are designed to tolerate 10% + or - voltage so 108-132v is OK.
Jim
Jim, Sharon and Buddy the Yorkie
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bilmo
Fulltime
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Keep the meter plugged in to your unit where you can monitor it throughout the day. The voltages will often change. Have seen it go from 94v to 138v and back as power demands increase and decrease.
BillMoRex&Princess
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Fulltiming since 8/93
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almcc
Ontario, Canada
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We have the plug in polarity checker as described above and a clamp on multimeter from Sperry that I bought at Home depot. It allows voltage checking and by making a short extension cord and exposing the black wire (but leaving the insulation on!) you can check your current draw.The folks in the electrical trade call this gadget a "megger"
http://www.awsperry.com/sperry/catalog?item=digisnap-500
We used this a couple of times in Mexico to check our draw to the RV when 4 of us were sharing a 30 amp source.
We found most RV campgrounds had high voltage in Mexico (between 130 and 135 volts, rendering the surge guard inoperative (shuts the power off at around 130). I contacted an autoformer manufacturer who are working on a unit that drops the voltage. They will let me know when it's available. All the autoformers that I am aware of out there can increase the voltage, none drop it.
When the voltage was above 130 or so, we ran the fridge and water heater on gas.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Top left of page has electric testing explanation: http://www.myrv.us/electric/
To fix high (or low) voltage look at Tripp Lite LC2400
Should bring 89 to 147 volts into a safe range. Rated 20 amps only.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
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Turtle-Toad
Wherever I park (orig Kingston, WA. USA)
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In the US, a Megger is a device used to test the insulation on a generator, motor or some other device where the resistance between the conductor and ground (earth) needs to be determined. It generate a very high voltage to do this (about 10Kv if I remember right).
The device you're describing is a called a "Clamp-on" or Clamp-on Ammeter". The newer ones can also be used as a volt/ohm meter.
For Mexico, I recommend the little polarity tester, and a volt meter, and an autotransformer, and a surge/spike protection device. You can find some of these combined into a single device.
Finding low voltage, reversed polarity, and missing ground in Mexico is a lot more common than it should be. Fluctuating voltage is also a BIG concern. Low voltage will eat motors (such as your ac compressor) and high voltage will get to your electronics.
Of course if you're boondocking and/or relying on Solar, you don't have to worry about all that.
Turtle & Toad, On the Road
37' Georgetown XL w/3 slides, 1 1/2 bath, & 275 watts of solar power
06 Taco TRD (for "Off the Road")
www.turtleandtoad.com
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almcc
Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for the information smkettner.
In terms of voltage correction, I'm looking for something that will be "plug and play" and handle 30 amps, some of the campgrounds down there that have 30 amp service also have 130 + volts.
I will wait for an autoformer that reduces voltage. I have a Tripp Lite surge guard that protects our electronics, it works well, but it doesn't reduce the voltage. I also run the electronics off an inverter running off the batteries in cases where the voltage is high.
Turtle Toad, I would be interested in knowing if you found an autoformer that reduces voltage!
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