Tri-Metric install.

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Tri-Metric install.

November 11, 2013, 07:03:47 pm

OK you knowledgeable folks.

We have installed our Tri-metric shunt and attached the readout but have a problem. I do not see a clear path to run the wire from the basement to under the cabinets in the kitchen. From the basement I see a couple of wire clusters going up through the top of the compartment but do not see them coming out. I am tempted to drill a hole either up or down but am concerned about what I might be drilling through. I have attached a pic. that shows where the wires go through the top. The kitchen cabinets are directly above the area shown by the pic. Would love your input as to how you got the wire from the basement up through the floor.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #1 – November 11, 2013, 08:24:09 pm

I unscrewed the floor of the cabinet under the sink and lifted it up (won't come all the way out in mine as there are hoses that were drilled through the flooring (not the best engineering job). Then you can see those wires coming up from the compartment and where they go. The hole had a bunch of white silicon sealing the area, but it wasn't too hard to poke a small screwdriver down in the silicone to make a path in the center of the wire bunch and then push the wire up through. The silicon tends to reform itself, but didn't take all that long to get the wire thru that way.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #2 – November 11, 2013, 10:53:00 pm

On our 320 I just drilled a separate hole. Almost a straight shot to this mounting point.
jor

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #3 – November 12, 2013, 01:42:38 am

Drilled a separate hole. On our coach, the power monitoring panel is on the passenger side, beside the pantry, so I pulled the wires up through the pantry (in a corner, almost invisible).

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #4 – November 12, 2013, 08:01:39 am

Thanks guys - I will drill a separate hole under the sink and mount the panel on the back of the sink cabinet facing forward.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #5 – November 13, 2013, 07:53:57 am

Got out our trusty drill and drilled a hole, ran the wire and mounted the display panel. Had a couple of questions so I called their office and talked to Randy. Very helpful. We chatted for a while and explained how to set up the display and how it worked.

Was watching the display out of the corner of my eye during the afternoon and saw that we were using amps?

Went down to the Magnum and turned ON the unit. Turned it off during the install and forgot to turn it back on. Another Duh moment. Guess it works.

Thanks again.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #6 – November 13, 2013, 09:50:23 am

You probably already covered this Scott but for others that may install a Trimetric, it's vital to set the correct values for the several "P" settings on the Trimetric. Otherwise the percentage and accumulative amp draw won't be right. The process is described in the instructions although if you are like me, you'll have to read them more than once!
jor

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #7 – November 13, 2013, 10:03:47 am

Jor -

You are correct. I read and reread the setup instructions numerous times but I did not understand the written instructions in terms of setup. Randy at the Factory/Sales office walked me through the set up of the "P" values.

(Note: I often have problems reading instructions and must rely upon my DW to interpret same. As part of my professional duties in my previous live, the writing of Policies, Procedures and Instructions fell within my Job responsibilities.)

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #8 – November 13, 2013, 12:02:32 pm

With being on Solar the Trimetic to me is something I look at many times a day. Once set up correctly it is a great tool to have.
John H

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #9 – November 13, 2013, 12:06:47 pm

We are in the process of moving into the solar world (slowly). Dave K. has recommended our Magnum 2820 with the ARC 50 and the Tri-metric unit for solar preparation. 2014 may be the time for panels and controllers. Next to learn about the controllers and panels.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #10 – November 13, 2013, 12:18:17 pm

You lucky people in US can get a 30% rebate on cost but we cannot here in Canada. (I think that still applies)
I am glad we did it, even though it was a tad expensive. We still have not used our gen set and have been able to live off the grid doing all the normal things each day and that is with only 750 watts. We also have a residential fridge. Of course you do need sun, but then if we had 2000 watts we would still need some sun, but refresh time would be faster.
We do not bother looking for RV parks any more, just a safe place to park.
John H

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #11 – November 13, 2013, 12:32:43 pm

Quote from: Carol & Scott – November 13, 2013, 12:06:47 pm

We are in the process of moving into the solar world (slowly). Dave K. has recommended our Magnum 2820 with the ARC 50 and the Tri-metric unit for solar preparation. 2014 may be the time for panels and controllers. Next to learn about the controllers and panels.

I feel the need to find a good primer on solar. All that roof....going to waste.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #12 – November 13, 2013, 01:04:02 pm

I'm with you Brad. Have been all over the web looking - but have not found definitive answers that work for me. Also I am not quite mentally ready to effectively attack and digest all of the info available.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #13 – November 13, 2013, 02:25:45 pm

I find it really hard to sort out the realities from all the hype. We have many, many solar panels going up here on houses in Havasu, and now we even have new "Solar Panel Cleaning" services starting up. I plan on keeping this house, but the last time I did any cursory research, it seemed that it would take 20 years for payback. That didn't bother me, until I read that the panels were expected to last 10 years. So I just check every so often and am waiting for data that shows a 10 year payback and 20 year durability. Someday.....

The coach currently spends most of its time in its garage, so I haven't really focused on outfitting it, but I'd love to get educated. With my Trimetric installed, I should be able to get a good sense of my actual use/needs.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #14 – November 13, 2013, 03:40:39 pm

Brad - I was looking at the cost vs benefits re: stix and brix house for years but couldn't find anything that made sense. Now the house is sold so....

Not so much the cost side now but the ability to unplug. Of course we would also have to practice water and power conservation practices which might be more demanding.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #15 – November 13, 2013, 04:19:33 pm

Actually, the power and water issue conservation is an easy one. Power- change over to LED totally it does not have to cost a lot either.
Water-depends on your own personal use, but keep switching off the faucets as soon as you have enough water to do the things you want to. Do not stand under a shower with it running while soaping. Do not flush if just the water is coloured (nice way of saying it). Save dishes till you have a bunch to wash. We even use paper ones while travelling and will wipe them clean to use twice if possible.
There are many ways to save.
Turn off inverter if not needing 120 right then. We only leave it on enough to do the job, then system is off.
John H

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #16 – November 13, 2013, 04:43:27 pm

My daughters take on conservation as a result of having a house on an island in Peurto Rico..(sp).
If its yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down.

Gary B

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #17 – November 13, 2013, 05:39:07 pm

Gary -

We first heard that one when we were on the island of Jost Van Dyke in the BVI many years ago. Funny - every time I go I still think of that....

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #18 – November 13, 2013, 06:26:29 pm

Living here in the desert, with higher and higher sewer rates, based on water usage, has given us good water conservtion habits. With 3 kids in the house, showers are taken in a reasonable time or there is a penalty. When they first moved to the desert, the oldest girl had the attitude engendered by her grandparents, that "we live high where water is plentiful...we don't ned to conserve." When she took a 17 minute shower, she got very re-educated. Now she generally takes about half the time we set at a limit.

LED lighting is another aspect I need to get into. We replaced the TVs with LED LCDs, buth haven't tackled replacing the Thin-lites. I think someone covered them in another thread.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #19 – November 13, 2013, 09:12:57 pm

I need to check again, but I looked into the Thin-Lites a few years ago. As I recall, they are pretty efficient already. Almost as power thrifty as LEDs. Go after the incandescents first, especially halogens.

Re: Tri-Metric install.

Reply #20 – November 14, 2013, 12:56:46 am

I cannot be sure as I did not document this but my recolection was that, with ALL of my interior lights on from front to back after changing to LED, equalled in amp draw the same as one bank(4) of the halogen undercabinet ones as of old!!
It was dramatic.
Another big draw is the inverter when it is not doing anything, by that I mean you are not cooking or using 120v from it. The stand by power usage is big. That is why we turn ours off all the time. The residential fridge is run off a 1000 PS inverter seperately along with the tv and stereo and a couple of up front plugs.
John H

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