Title: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 12:44:05 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 12:44:05 pm
Tell me a good way to monitor whether I'm on SHOREPOWER or INVERTER,...................If you have the Shorepower go off (Power Outage), it is such a smooth transition when it switches over to Inverter,,,,,,,you don't even notice it. Sometimes you can go hours and hours without discovering your on the Inverter using from you batteries rather than Shorepower....
I can't seem to find a wall socket that is not powered by the Inverter................Is there is one (a wall socket) where I could plug my little "power Off" warning light in, so it will start beeping and flashing letting me know Shorepower has gone off,,, and I can start shutting down stuff to save my batteries?
Hope you all can follow what I'm saying, or do I have everyone totally confused? (including myself) ;D
Thanks for any suggestions
Mike
I can't seem to find a wall socket that is not powered by the Inverter................Is there is one (a wall socket) where I could plug my little "power Off" warning light in, so it will start beeping and flashing letting me know Shorepower has gone off,,, and I can start shutting down stuff to save my batteries?
Hope you all can follow what I'm saying, or do I have everyone totally confused? (including myself) ;D
Thanks for any suggestions
Mike
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Michelle on November 21, 2010, 12:54:54 pm
Post by: Michelle on November 21, 2010, 12:54:54 pm
You might want to take a look at your schematics. Ours shows which items are run off the inverter. The assumption being anything not on that list would be an appropriate monitor location. Hopefully one of them is an outlet :)
Below is what's on our inverter, but I don't have a quick look at what's not. The circuits on the inverter have their breakers in a separate panel at the foot of the bed - in ours it is the panel that has the exposed breakers.
(Edited to add - I checked our schematics and the only duplex outlets that aren't on the inverter are either in the storage bays or behind the fridge. Or what the power line monitor is plugged into).
Michelle
Below is what's on our inverter, but I don't have a quick look at what's not. The circuits on the inverter have their breakers in a separate panel at the foot of the bed - in ours it is the panel that has the exposed breakers.
(Edited to add - I checked our schematics and the only duplex outlets that aren't on the inverter are either in the storage bays or behind the fridge. Or what the power line monitor is plugged into).
Michelle
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Barry Beam on November 21, 2010, 01:46:58 pm
Post by: Barry Beam on November 21, 2010, 01:46:58 pm
Tell me a good way to monitor whether I'm on SHOREPOWER or INVERTER,
Thanks for any suggestions
Mike
i think if you just look at the Power Watch meter and see if it shows any shoreline voltage.
If there is no voltage reading than you are on inverter. (Assuming you have the inverter on)
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 02:09:26 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 02:09:26 pm
Barry,
Thank's, I realize that, but I don't sit around all the time watching that Power Meter,,,,,,,,, I want some thing that will "FLASH" and/or "BUZZ" when it switches to Inverter,,,,,before it runs my batteries down...... I have a "Power Off" warning light/buzzer that does just that. I used it in a couple of my previous rigs. It just plugs into a wall receptacle that isn't powered by the Inverter... It immediately calls your attention to the fact that your Shorepower is OFF,,,,,and your using 12VT battery power.
Michelle,
That's good info.........I found the separate panels,,,,,,,but hoped someone knew of a receptacle right off that wasn't on the inverter side... I found that the Washer/Dryer wasn't, but that plug in is hard to get to.... I just hoped that FT in their good wisdom had the foresite to furnish something like that... They seem to have lots of other useful gadgets and switches......
I can go into the shorepower panel and wire a separate line for a place to plug in my "Power Off" monitor warning light. In fact I can do it right there at the foot of the bed,,,so it won't be any big deal..........Just didn't want to do that if there was already something available.
Thanks to you both for the help...
Mike
Thank's, I realize that, but I don't sit around all the time watching that Power Meter,,,,,,,,, I want some thing that will "FLASH" and/or "BUZZ" when it switches to Inverter,,,,,before it runs my batteries down...... I have a "Power Off" warning light/buzzer that does just that. I used it in a couple of my previous rigs. It just plugs into a wall receptacle that isn't powered by the Inverter... It immediately calls your attention to the fact that your Shorepower is OFF,,,,,and your using 12VT battery power.
Michelle,
That's good info.........I found the separate panels,,,,,,,but hoped someone knew of a receptacle right off that wasn't on the inverter side... I found that the Washer/Dryer wasn't, but that plug in is hard to get to.... I just hoped that FT in their good wisdom had the foresite to furnish something like that... They seem to have lots of other useful gadgets and switches......
I can go into the shorepower panel and wire a separate line for a place to plug in my "Power Off" monitor warning light. In fact I can do it right there at the foot of the bed,,,so it won't be any big deal..........Just didn't want to do that if there was already something available.
Thanks to you both for the help...
Mike
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Barry Beam on November 21, 2010, 02:37:03 pm
Post by: Barry Beam on November 21, 2010, 02:37:03 pm
Quote
I realize that, but I don't sit around all the time watching that Power Meter,,,,,,,,, I want some thing that will "FLASH" and/or "BUZZ" when it switches to Inverter
The 2 outlets that the power watch is plugged into behind the power watch monitor should be off the inverter. would that work for you? When A/c power is off there is no reading on the monitor.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 02:54:40 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 02:54:40 pm
They might work,,but I can't see them......I have to plug in this little "power off" monitor that has its own rechargable battery and I would have to be able to see and hear it...... I can't see the plug your talking about unless I take the power watch monitor out...
I'll probably just have to put in an additional line and wall plug from the A/C panel....... I've had to do that before on my Last Teton.... Its hard to believe I'm the only one to have this problem or desire.....I thought sure a METER and SWITCH guy like you would have this all figured out......LOL!!! I admitt, I'm strange!!!
Mike
I'll probably just have to put in an additional line and wall plug from the A/C panel....... I've had to do that before on my Last Teton.... Its hard to believe I'm the only one to have this problem or desire.....I thought sure a METER and SWITCH guy like you would have this all figured out......LOL!!! I admitt, I'm strange!!!
Mike
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on November 21, 2010, 02:59:16 pm
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on November 21, 2010, 02:59:16 pm
Mike, In my coach, if the shore power goes off and your on the inverter, no worry, when the batteries get low, the generator should start up, as the BCM-12 will not let the batteries get too low without starting the generator.
Another way to detect, the air conditioner will not operate from the batteries.
On my coach, it is a easy view of the pair of 120 VAC displays to verify.
Agree, it would be nice to have a audible alarm to wake you up to the power loss, you cold wire on in to the normal side of the transfer switch.
Another way to detect, the air conditioner will not operate from the batteries.
On my coach, it is a easy view of the pair of 120 VAC displays to verify.
Agree, it would be nice to have a audible alarm to wake you up to the power loss, you cold wire on in to the normal side of the transfer switch.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Bill Willett on November 21, 2010, 03:49:38 pm
Post by: Bill Willett on November 21, 2010, 03:49:38 pm
Home depot has a power failure alarm for $14.99 with flashing led, if I was a computer guru I would post a link, but you know the rest.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 04:11:07 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 04:11:07 pm
Dave,,,,That is a point.... Thanks for calling that to my attention..... I'm not used to having a Generator,,,,,,15 years of full timing, I never had a generator. I forget that option. It would be neat not to have to keep it in "Auto" all the time... I did learn well how to use Solar and battery power management..... I watch it like a hawk!
Thanks Bill, I do already have the alarm. Its the receptacle I'm needing.......
Mike
Thanks Bill, I do already have the alarm. Its the receptacle I'm needing.......
Mike
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Horace B. Cupp on November 21, 2010, 04:19:45 pm
Post by: Horace B. Cupp on November 21, 2010, 04:19:45 pm
Mike. Forgive my naivete, but why is your inverter "on' when you are plugged in to shore power? I never turn my inverter "on" unless I am somewhere that I feel awkward or am prohibited from starting the gen-set.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Rick on November 21, 2010, 04:52:22 pm
Post by: Rick on November 21, 2010, 04:52:22 pm
Mike,
On my 1995 U-300SE there are three duplex outlets that are powered directly from shore power. They are
1. the duplex outlet where the engine block heater plugs in.
2. The duplex outlet under the sink where the small tankless hot water heater plugs in
3. The washer dryer duplex outlet, located under the refrigerator.
I gleaned this info from my schematic, as Steve mentioned, because I wanted to plug an electric heater in without that load going through the inverter.
On my 1995 U-300SE there are three duplex outlets that are powered directly from shore power. They are
1. the duplex outlet where the engine block heater plugs in.
2. The duplex outlet under the sink where the small tankless hot water heater plugs in
3. The washer dryer duplex outlet, located under the refrigerator.
I gleaned this info from my schematic, as Steve mentioned, because I wanted to plug an electric heater in without that load going through the inverter.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Barry & Cindy on November 21, 2010, 05:25:08 pm
Post by: Barry & Cindy on November 21, 2010, 05:25:08 pm
We leave our inverter on ALL the time. And we also care to know if we accidently loose shore power.
We have added several outlets that are not on inverter for small electric heaters, coffee pot, toaster and our 'shore power lost alarm'.
We ran a length of #12 romex from behind fridge into kitchen area, putting a 15/20 amp male plug on one end and plugging it in to the behind fridge outlet.
This way we are not cutting into OEM outlets or cables. We did the same for the washer/dryer OEM outlet on the other side of the coach. Our coach also has an OEM outlet in bay area.
We have also added several new outlets from the main breaker box.
Since we don't run our microwave on the inverter, we moved that OEM romex from the inverter breaker panel to the main breaker panel.
We have added several outlets that are not on inverter for small electric heaters, coffee pot, toaster and our 'shore power lost alarm'.
We ran a length of #12 romex from behind fridge into kitchen area, putting a 15/20 amp male plug on one end and plugging it in to the behind fridge outlet.
This way we are not cutting into OEM outlets or cables. We did the same for the washer/dryer OEM outlet on the other side of the coach. Our coach also has an OEM outlet in bay area.
We have also added several new outlets from the main breaker box.
Since we don't run our microwave on the inverter, we moved that OEM romex from the inverter breaker panel to the main breaker panel.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 05:56:28 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 21, 2010, 05:56:28 pm
Rick,,,Barry,, Thanks!! That's what I was looking for........Lots of good ideas there, I'm sure I can find some workable solution.....
Much obliged!!,,,,,, I can't even think about not having my Inverter on ALL the time....That's what it was designed for and the main reason its wired in the way it is....
Thanks again......
Mike
Much obliged!!,,,,,, I can't even think about not having my Inverter on ALL the time....That's what it was designed for and the main reason its wired in the way it is....
Thanks again......
Mike
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: amos.harrison on November 21, 2010, 07:45:10 pm
Post by: amos.harrison on November 21, 2010, 07:45:10 pm
Mike,
I'm with Dave. Make sure you leave the generator on AUTO all the time, and remember to use the generator regularly.
I'm with Dave. Make sure you leave the generator on AUTO all the time, and remember to use the generator regularly.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: George Hatfield on November 21, 2010, 08:28:01 pm
Post by: George Hatfield on November 21, 2010, 08:28:01 pm
I never have my inverter on unless I intend to use it (e.g., when we are stopped for lunch and need to heat something in the microwave). If we loose shore power, the lights go out.... time to turn on the generator! The inverter is a very "costly" source of 110 volt power as far as your house batteries are concerned.
Also, I NEVER leave my generator switch on AUTO. If I could, I'd remove it. The concern I have is that I might leave it on AUTO when I store the coach inside. If the house batteries go dead (and they have) while in storage and the generator came on it would create a huge mess not only for me, but also for everyone in my storage unit.
Also, I NEVER leave my generator switch on AUTO. If I could, I'd remove it. The concern I have is that I might leave it on AUTO when I store the coach inside. If the house batteries go dead (and they have) while in storage and the generator came on it would create a huge mess not only for me, but also for everyone in my storage unit.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Peter & Beth on November 21, 2010, 08:35:44 pm
Post by: Peter & Beth on November 21, 2010, 08:35:44 pm
I consider the use of the inverter as a personal choice. If we're driving down the road and need 110AC, we might use the inverter if the genset is not needed at the time. Otherwise, the inverter goes on when the coach is not plugged-in to shore power and we're in it and in need of 110AC.
Since our coach sits for over 90% of the time, I just disconnect all batteries when in storage.
Since our coach sits for over 90% of the time, I just disconnect all batteries when in storage.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: George Stoltz on November 21, 2010, 09:52:02 pm
Post by: George Stoltz on November 21, 2010, 09:52:02 pm
Hi Mike,
As we learned to live in our motorhome, for us it included often looking at the Power Monitor. Especially after it gave us an error code as soon as we took it home in April of 2009 and found out the old Xantrex had died. When the new one was installed we must have looked at it hourly.
I think it is more what a person is accustomed to doing.
As we learned to live in our motorhome, for us it included often looking at the Power Monitor. Especially after it gave us an error code as soon as we took it home in April of 2009 and found out the old Xantrex had died. When the new one was installed we must have looked at it hourly.
I think it is more what a person is accustomed to doing.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Kent Speers on November 21, 2010, 10:12:13 pm
Post by: Kent Speers on November 21, 2010, 10:12:13 pm
Since we are talking about inverters, I have a Prosine 3000 inverter but when we turn on the Advantium microwave using the inverter, the inverter shuts down. It says low voltage but when I check the battery voltage, it is fine. A load test says the batteries are OK. Do I have a problem? Should the Prosine 3000 handle the Advantium when there is no other appliances drawing on the inverter? Do others run their microwave on their inverter?
I tried to figure this out when I first bought the U300 but never came to a conclusion.
I tried to figure this out when I first bought the U300 but never came to a conclusion.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: George Stoltz on November 21, 2010, 10:17:30 pm
Post by: George Stoltz on November 21, 2010, 10:17:30 pm
Kent,
I can't answer your question, but you might play it safe by only using the Advantium when either connected to shore power or running you generator. Because the Advantium is such a power hog, it would probably burn through the stored amp hours in your batteries pretty quickly. But now I am really over my head.
Just added this: we, too, have the Prosine 3000.
I can't answer your question, but you might play it safe by only using the Advantium when either connected to shore power or running you generator. Because the Advantium is such a power hog, it would probably burn through the stored amp hours in your batteries pretty quickly. But now I am really over my head.
Just added this: we, too, have the Prosine 3000.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Barry Beam on November 21, 2010, 10:44:24 pm
Post by: Barry Beam on November 21, 2010, 10:44:24 pm
I have a Prosine 3000 inverter but when we turn on the Advantium microwave using the inverter, the inverter shuts down. It says low voltage. Should the Prosine 3000 handle the Advantium when there is no other appliances drawing on the inverter? Do others run their microwave on their inverter?
So we never use the microwave on the inverter because it draws so much power.
Since using the microwave on the inverter will use up battery cycles (each battery is good for so many cycles) that will need to be recharged, why not just use the generator to begin with and save the (limited) battery cycles.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Barry & Cindy on November 21, 2010, 11:23:56 pm
Post by: Barry & Cindy on November 21, 2010, 11:23:56 pm
Using a microwave on inverter works and is convenient.
But it does draw batteries down a lot, and all inverters will last longer if not loaded anywhere near maximum watts. Microwaves are the highest wattage draw in our coach at about 1,500 watts.
And if the inverter generates a modified sine wave, the microwave may have an additional risk.
Anyone who stores a motorhome inside MUST turn auto start generator and generator off to prevent damage from diesel exhaust. Some coaches have been almost totaled from accidental running generator in an enclosure.
This potential problem should not prevent anyone from using their inverter to power DVRs, computers, TVs and lots of other 120 volt 'toys'.
In our coach we always have 120 volt items powered like weather radio & DirecTV DVR. Solar helps during the day.
When dry camping we usually leave our Inverter on, but with power strips turn off all TVs, electronics & computers. But we usually leave our DVR on. After many nights of dry camping house batteries are not full anymore and we usually turn our Inverter off to conserve battery drain.
But it does draw batteries down a lot, and all inverters will last longer if not loaded anywhere near maximum watts. Microwaves are the highest wattage draw in our coach at about 1,500 watts.
And if the inverter generates a modified sine wave, the microwave may have an additional risk.
Anyone who stores a motorhome inside MUST turn auto start generator and generator off to prevent damage from diesel exhaust. Some coaches have been almost totaled from accidental running generator in an enclosure.
This potential problem should not prevent anyone from using their inverter to power DVRs, computers, TVs and lots of other 120 volt 'toys'.
In our coach we always have 120 volt items powered like weather radio & DirecTV DVR. Solar helps during the day.
When dry camping we usually leave our Inverter on, but with power strips turn off all TVs, electronics & computers. But we usually leave our DVR on. After many nights of dry camping house batteries are not full anymore and we usually turn our Inverter off to conserve battery drain.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: John S on November 22, 2010, 10:53:10 am
Post by: John S on November 22, 2010, 10:53:10 am
My inverter goes to standby if I am plugged into shore power. The genset stays on auto and I just live. If I lose the power then the inverter kicks in. I can hear the transfer switch drop out if I am in the coach. Also the TV will blink off for a second. The beauty of the MOtorhome is that it is seamless. I have a whole house genset at home too. I had to go to a back room to tell I was not on regular power one day.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 22, 2010, 01:29:55 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 22, 2010, 01:29:55 pm
Living with an inverter in "standy" position is the only way to go!!!!!!......I love it!!! Thanks to you all I will NOW also live with my genset in "auto". But I will also build myself a direct line from shorepower only that I can plug my "Power Off" warning blinker/buzzer into. I want to know BEFORE the batteries get so low that the generator has to start......but that would be nice for when I was away from the coach...
Thanks to you all for the help......I'm loving this group more and more......
Mike
Thanks to you all for the help......I'm loving this group more and more......
Mike
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Barry Beam on November 22, 2010, 01:52:48 pm
Post by: Barry Beam on November 22, 2010, 01:52:48 pm
They might work,,but I can't see them......I have to plug in this little "power off" monitor that has its own rechargable battery and I would have to be able to see and hear it...... I can't see the plug your talking about unless I take the power watch monitor out.
I'll probably just have to put in an additional line and wall plug from the A/C panel. Its hard to believe I'm the only one to have this problem or desire.....I thought sure a METER and SWITCH guy like you would have this all figured out......LOL!!!
Mike
Why not run your warning buzzer to those outlets instead of all the way back to the A/C panel?
4 small screws to remove the power watch and have access to those outlets.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 22, 2010, 02:29:39 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 22, 2010, 02:29:39 pm
Barry,,,Tell me how you do that "quote" bit, I've tried and can't seem to master it....
I really need a standard receptacle plug in outlet.....The waring/light plugs into that outlet. I don't see much room up there where I could put an outlet,,,,,,,,,,, Same with the Microwave,,,,I could just switch the Micro over to the shorepower breaker box and then it would be a good place to plug the warning,,,,,but close the door and its out of sight..... I'm still trying to figure out exactly where I'm going to put it. I want the easiest, most convenient, visible location that is also out of the way......
I believe mine is just as Rick says his is and has 3 current locations that are not inverter powered..... The most convenient and accessible one is under the sink,,,,,,,,where the Hot Water quick heater plugs, I never use that little water heater and keep it unplugged. So i need to check that one out and maybe use it one way or another......
Mike
I really need a standard receptacle plug in outlet.....The waring/light plugs into that outlet. I don't see much room up there where I could put an outlet,,,,,,,,,,, Same with the Microwave,,,,I could just switch the Micro over to the shorepower breaker box and then it would be a good place to plug the warning,,,,,but close the door and its out of sight..... I'm still trying to figure out exactly where I'm going to put it. I want the easiest, most convenient, visible location that is also out of the way......
I believe mine is just as Rick says his is and has 3 current locations that are not inverter powered..... The most convenient and accessible one is under the sink,,,,,,,,where the Hot Water quick heater plugs, I never use that little water heater and keep it unplugged. So i need to check that one out and maybe use it one way or another......
Mike
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Barry Beam on November 22, 2010, 03:04:09 pm
Post by: Barry Beam on November 22, 2010, 03:04:09 pm
Quote
Barry,,,Tell me how you do that "quote" bit, I've tried and can't seem to master it....
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10264.0 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10264.0)
Quote
I really need a standard receptacle plug in outlet.....The waring/light plugs into that outlet.
I don't see much room up there where I could put an outlet
I wasn't sure where you wanted the buzzer.
That's another issue. ::)
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 22, 2010, 03:51:20 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 22, 2010, 03:51:20 pm
Quote
[Instructions are here with diagrams.
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10264.0 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10264.0)
OK,,,does this do it???
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Barry Beam on November 22, 2010, 03:58:12 pm
Post by: Barry Beam on November 22, 2010, 03:58:12 pm
Quote
OK,,,does this do it???
Highlight only the portion you want to 'Quote" and not your reply.
Title: Re: How do you Monitor your POWER?
Post by: Mike McFall on November 22, 2010, 04:00:42 pm
Post by: Mike McFall on November 22, 2010, 04:00:42 pm
Quote
Highlight only the portion you want to 'Quote" and not your reply
Maybe this is better.....Thanks!