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Topic: 'Amp-Hours+' meter (Read 929 times) previous topic - next topic

'Amp-Hours+' meter

We are sitting here at MOT pouring over our new-to-us 1996 U295.
Its like opening Christmas presents!!

I only have a few questionable things (NOT questions) that don't appear to work and am told "nope, doesn't work".

One of them is the 'Amp-Hours+' meter located in the panel containing the remote Heart Inverter display.
The LCD just sits there and increments by 20  every second  up to 2000 and then back to 0. There is a toggle  that purports to switch something (I assume the display) between Volts and Amps. This toggle has no effect on the display.

I had expected this device to measure 12v electrical usage of the house bank. (I am possibly misapplying my experiences with a Link battery monitor).

Comments?
Suggestions?

It looks like the house bank has been replaced recently. I havn't had a chance to look but could a shunt need to be connected/reconnected for the device?

Or is it "nope, doesn't work" time?

TIA

elliott.bray@tamu.edu

Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
 

Re: 'Amp-Hours+' meter

Reply #1 –
Welcome to your new "Land Yacht".

We are sitting here right now in Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas on our "Water Yacht".  The Foretravel has the winter off in its garage.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 'Amp-Hours+' meter

Reply #2 –
Quote from: TheBrays –
and am told "nope, doesn't work".

One of them is the 'Amp-Hours+' meter located in the panel containing the remote Heart Inverter display.
The LCD just sits there and increments by 20  every second  up to 2000 and then back to 0. There is a toggle  that purports to switch something (I assume the display) between Volts and Amps. This toggle has no effect on the display.

I had expected this device to measure 12v electrical usage of the house bank. (I am possibly misapplying my experiences with a Link battery monitor).

Comments?
Suggestions?

It looks like the house bank has been replaced recently. I havn't had a chance to look but could a shunt need to be connected/reconnected for the device?

Or is it "nope, doesn't work" time?

TIA

elliott.bray@tamu.edu


Congrats on the new U295!!

Re you question.  Sounds like you know what it is.  And sounds like they have no intention of replacing or repairing it.  Would do a search here and on archives to see if anyone has had same problem and how they resolved it.  It might be a bad connection or could be the unit is dead.  But I am sure it is fixable somehow.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: 'Amp-Hours+' meter

Reply #3 –
Elliott,
Unless you've already closed on the deal, I would request that the coach be in working order on all mechanical/electrical/hydraulic devices. FWIW
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: 'Amp-Hours+' meter

Reply #4 –
Quote
To Quote Peter: "Unless you've already closed on the deal, I would request that the coach be in working order on all mechanical/electrical/hydraulic devices. FWIW"
I agree with Peter: I wouldn't leave MOT without that meter working, even if you have to pay for it.  There will be enough "do-it-yourself's" without starting out with a known one. IMHO.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.
 

Re: 'Amp-Hours+' meter

Reply #5 –
I am making some headway on my amp-hour meter issue.

I have tracked down a schematic and have determined how it is installed.
At the same time I am constructing my pictorial documentation collection:
 AmpHourStuff

Bill Willett has put me on the track of a nice replacement, a Victron BMV 600  which I like better than the Xantrex units I see but I still have a slight problem that I am mondering on.

I suspect I will have to use the same wires that come from the shunt to the meter (Who could be the cause of my problem anyway). The shunt is forward on the driver's side and the meter is mid-ships on the passenger side. I suspect there are too many corners and/or the wires are bundled such that I can't use one as a messenger to pull a new cable.

When I feel up to getting as close to the shunt as I'll need to I'll test the continuity of the wires. I still have to think about what the new meter is expecting.

All helpful comments appreciated

OH well    great fun!
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB