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Topic: Brand New PowerWatch (Read 792 times) previous topic - next topic

Brand New PowerWatch

When I bought my '93 U225 the PowerWatch A/C monitor was broken and the two lights were very dim. I looked around a bit for a while trying to find a replacement and ended up with a couple of devices from Amazon that sort of did the job. But that broken PowerWatch kept staring me in the face. I've installed the TriMetric 2025RV below it and it would be nice if they BOTH worked.

So the other day I was dinking around on the 'Net and decided to try again. A brand new PowerWatch showed up. For only $16. I practically broke my finger clicking on the Buy It Now link on eBay. It arrived last night and is white (not black like the original) but it matches the TriMetric. Gonna put that in as soon as I'm done with my nap. :P

1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #1 –
Congratulations on a very cool find!  It's amazing what turns up for sale on eBay...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #2 –
The new PowerWatch is in and working. It doesn't tell me anything I didn't already know... but it's pretty cool. :P

1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #3 –
You're right - the light colored panel looks a lot better with the TriMetric.  I am considering the TriMetric, but have been wondering how to integrate it (visually) with my OEM PowerWatch and Inverter control panels, both of which are black.  Hmmm.....

Any particular reason why you picked the surface mount over the flush mount (TriMetric)?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #4 –
Quote from: cajk –
Any particular reason why you picked the surface mount over the flush mount (TriMetric)?
I was not sure where I wanted the TriMetric when I wanted to use it. The U225 really doesn't have any consolidated electronics panel and since the PowerWatch didn't work then, my thoughts were that I would put the TriMetric where the PW was and just remove the PW. After all, there are now several devices that will do what the PW did and most of those just plug right in to a socket. Now that the PW works I may have to reconsider that. :)

Now I'm wondering if I can route the wire from the Classic 150 solar charge controller and put the remote readout in that area, too. Sort of an ad hoc electronics area.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the lead. I picked up a new in the box Powerwatch probably from the same ebay'er today for $16. My gage worked but the lights were dim so I wanted to change it out on our 96 U295.
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #6 –
Alan,
Don't throw the old one away. You can replace the bulbs.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #7 –
I decided to flush mount the TriMetric 2025Rzv under the PowerWatch to make them match better. However the "RV" designation has a panel with greater edge clearance. The result was that I had almost no margin for error; and I managed to make the hole slightly too large and when I put the TriMetric in place it is just slightly skewed.

So I plan to make a bezel using my bench-mounted jigsaw, mount the TriMetric to that, and then put it back in place.

The idea to flush mount was a good one and I do think the Power Watch and the TriMetric look better mounted like this.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #8 –
@John,

Got that info on the bulb replacement and ordered two. I am collecting spare parts when I can get them at a good price. We are redoing/modernizing/maintaining our new-to-us 96 U295. Learning lots from this group!
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #9 –
Allen and others...

Be sure to check the resistors that are in series with each of these green bulbs in the power monitor. A manufacturing error in reading the color codes I'm sure. Mine were off by a factor of 10 which was the reason they burn out. I memory serves me correctly, they should be 220 ohms, not 2200 ohms which causes too much current flowing and that takes them out.

Jim

2002 U320
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Jim Frerichs –
Allen and others...

Be sure to check the resistors that are in series with each of these green bulbs in the power monitor. A manufacturing error in reading the color codes I'm sure. Mine were off by a factor of 10 which was the reason they burn out. I memory serves me correctly, they should be 220 ohms, not 2200 ohms which causes too much current flowing and that takes them out.

Jim - this thread refers to the PowerWatch monitor from older coaches (as you can see in the photos), not the Power Line Monitor with the green phosphor bulbs that we have in the later coaches.  Different piece of equipment.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #11 –
Michele,

Are you sure? My green G3 (something number as I remember) were constantly blowing and replacing them was of little value until the resistor values were corrected. Maybe the newer or older coaches have a different system in the power monitors. Just my two cents.

Jim

2002 U320
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Jim Frerichs –
Michele,

Are you sure?

Jim - take a look at the photos posted.  It's a completely different piece of equipment in a 1993 coach that the thread is talking about.  Not the Power Line Monitor we have in the 2002/2003 and several other year coaches.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Brand New PowerWatch

Reply #13 –
I am not familiar with the ones in the picture. I was speaking of the 2002 vintage. I sorry for the mistake.

Jim
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'