skychief12
Frisco, Texas
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I use one of the volt meters that plug into a wall socket. The last time we were out in the RV I noticed the meter dropping into the 110 volt range(in the red on the meter's scale). What is the meter telling me? Does it mean the shore power is to low or that I have too many items running?
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dougrainer
Carrolton
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Those plug in voltmeters are NOT accurate. They are good for telling you if you have 120 to the RV. Get a good digital multimeter and plug it in and read the voltage while looking at your plug in tester. You will bne amazed at the variance. I have seen up to 10 volt diffrence ( Plug in showing 104 volts and a Fluke meter showing 114 volts). Doug
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skychief12
Frisco, Texas
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Thanks Doug, I'll be sure to have a good multimeter on-board. But is a lower voltage reading telling me I'm using too much power or that the shore power to my rig too low?
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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The plug in analog meters are very accurate. the plug in digital is much better and more accurate.
Onan part 302-2036 or Prime model 12-4058
The low voltage reading could be caused by several different things. Low voltage from power pedestal or bad connections. It could be an indications of heavy power draw on wiring not sized properly causing excessive voltage drop. Using an adapter, at the power pedestal to check voltage level there could determine where and what the problem is.
Bud
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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Larry202br
Olathe, Ks
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skychief12 wrote:... But is a lower voltage reading telling me I'm using too much power or that the shore power to my rig too low?
The meter does not read power, only voltage. if the voltage gets too low, it could be because something on the same circuit as the outlet your plugged into is drawing a lot of current, causing a voltage drop, or, more likely, the campground voltage is low. Best way to tell is to measure the voltage directly at the pedestal.
2006 Open Road 316 RLDS-5
2004 F-250 Diesel, short bed, SRW, Crew cab, 3.73 auto.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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skychief12 wrote:I use one of the volt meters that plug into a wall socket. The last time we were out in the RV I noticed the meter dropping into the 110 volt range(in the red on the meter's scale). What is the meter telling me? Does it mean the shore power is to low or that I have too many items running?
Well... I don't know how accurate those meters are (Suggestion Plug it into a KILL-A-Watt set on volts and compare)
However the answer to your question may sound a bit strange.. but it's YES (I realise that was not an option) but "Either of the above may be correct" would also apply.
It may be that by turning something off,, a BIG TICKET item if possible (IE: A/C) you can lower the draw enough to bring it up
It may be that so many of your neighbors are drawing that there is no hope for you.
Howeover 110, by itself, is ok.. 105 is considered minimum 110 should be yellow, not red
My rig is currently plugged in here at home.. The circuit is a 20 amp breaker feeding 12ga UF wire (around 60-70 feet) to a 30 amp style outlet feeding the RV via a very short cord.. I'm not seeing nearly the voltage drop I expected But then I never did the math either Got to do that some day
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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If you happen to be using a long or light extension cord then your voltage will read low and vary under varing loads.
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skychief12
Frisco, Texas
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Great answers, I'm lovin this! I played around with my AC (shut it off) and did notice an increase in voltage. Judging from your responses I should go to the shore power and test there to determine maximum available power (volts). The difference between the two test point shows my usage (draw). I think my new SOP will be to check the shore first before hooking up to determine a base.
That brings me to another question: How to test the 3 phase at shore power. My guess is to keep adding on adapters (50 amp to 30 amp to 20 amp)in order to test red to black on the meter? That doesn't sound smart. There must be a procedure to test directly.
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samsontdog
Sac. Ca summer, Yuma Az winter
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I have three of the volt meters that you can buy at CW plugged in to my TT. All 3 have different readings at the same time. I realize the ref could be on one and water heater on another etc so I turned them off but still have 3 different readings ! I will be buying a digital multimeter in the near future. I have a Hughes Autoformer plugged in at the pedestal. Love it !
samsontdog 
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skychief12
Frisco, Texas
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I'll have to do a search on the Hughes Autoformer. I did find some info on testing 3 phase with a multimeter.
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/RV%20tech/shore%20power.html
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