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Topic: TulsaTrent's Power Line Monitor (split from Re: Isolator Rewired) (Read 471 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Re: Isolator Rewired ...

TulsaTrent's Power Line Monitor (split from Re: Isolator Rewired)

Quote from: TulsaTrent –
One other thing, that may or may not help figure out what "one of the top five diesel engine mechanics in the country" did to me is the Powerline Monitor display. Since I bought this Foretravel on 8/8/14, the display for line one has always been "1"; the display for line 2 had been about 125. Now, line 2 reads "01" which did not change when I moved the chassis connector back to its proper location.


TT - did you ever verify the 120Vac breakers that the Power Line Monitor is attached to (or it's electrical connections, since it basically plugs into 2 outlets)?  See my response to your question about this last year:

FT Power Monitor

FYI I just verified that if I shut off our breaker that is for 1 leg of the Line Monitor and the block heater (the only things on that circuit/breaker) the readout for that leg on the Power Line Monitor says "01".

If there is nothing else on 120VAC in your coach (i.e. both air conditioners run fine is a good test to verify both legs of 50 Amp have power) that isn't working, check to see if one leg of your Power Line Monitor is on the engine preheat breaker and check the function of that breaker.  We had that one (and others) get weak over time and had to replace them (readily available at Lowes, BTW).  We discovered this after our Line Monitor would show one line at "01" after driving and we would find the breaker needing to be switched fully off then on again to reset it.

If it is not the breaker, check to see that both plugs of the Line Monitor are plugged into outlets.

Michelle
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: TulsaTrent's Power Line Monitor (split from Re: Isolator Rewired)

Reply #1 –
Michelle,

I don't have full access now because Innovative Coachworks has  begun work on my list of ten items to be done this week.

I do know that  both air conditioners do both work at the same time. I did check the breakers previously, but maybe not since I discovered the recent problems. I think they installed some cheap  no-name alternator that is not Duvac, or not hooked up properly. The main problem still seems to be no sense wire, which might cause the symptoms I am seeing. For the record, I told them I thought the problem was the sense line from the beginning. They charged me  $730 and made matters worse. Now I have to pay another chunk to get their careless stupidity repaired.

Sorry for the cryptic reply but I left my notebook in the RV. Hopefully I can get it back in the morning, so I don't have to spend too much time in the Kansas Star casino while the work is being done. Typing on my phone with one finger is very frustrating.

Thanks,

Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: TulsaTrent's Power Line Monitor (split from Re: Isolator Rewired)

Reply #2 –
Update and results of a forensic investigation of my Power Line Monitor.

My Line 1 has always displayed "1" since I purchased Ducky on 8/8/2014. Line 2 normally shows about "125". Recently, it has started jumping around, so I decided to open it up and see what makes it tick. These are my findings.

After removing the PLM faceplate, we see the main circuit board (inside a metal box):
The selected media item is not currently available.







The primary inputs to the circuit board are attached on the seven screw terminals at the top of the circuit board:
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For convenience, I have named them from left to right as 1-7. The actual connections are labeled on the  circuit board as follows:
    1 = LINE2 (black wire from line 2 cable)
    2 = NEU2 (white wire from line 2 cable)
    3 = GND2 (green wire from line 2 cable)
    4 = BOX GND (green wire to screw on box)
    5 = GND1 (green wire from line 1 cable)
    6 = NEU1 (white wire from line 1 cable)
    7 = LINE1 (black wire from line 2 cable)

I took voltage measurement among the different screw terminals with the following results:
    1-2 = 119.4
    1-3 = 119.4
    1-4 = 119.5
    1-5 = 119.6
    1-7 = 240
    5-7 = 119.7
    6-7 = 119.8

Obviously, both Line 1 and Line 2 voltages were getting to the main circuit board. After removing the circuit board from the box, I discovered signs of a burn on the top right of the box, under the Line 1 area of the input:
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Whatever caused those burn marks did even more damage to the bottom of the circuit board:
The selected media item is not currently available.

That certainly explains why I never got a reading for Line 1 voltage on the PLM output display for line 1.





The display circuit board did not appear to have any problems on the top side:
The selected media item is not currently available.







But the backside also had a slight burn mark at the edge:
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True confession time: that mark was NOT there when I was taking my voltage readings. After the readings, I moved the box to the side and heard that ZAP, POW sound, along with a flash and that great electrical burn odor. Do you know how long it takes to go from standing there to flipping all three of the circuit breakers on the two power panels? I don't either, but I think I may have set an Olympic record.




The next questions is, "What now?"

More about that tomorrow  later,

Trent




ETA: I tried to embed the images, but it did not work.  With Michelle's help, I think I got it now! Thank you, Michelle (and Steve).

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385