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Topic: Odd reading on power watch meter (Read 287 times) previous topic - next topic

Odd reading on power watch meter

I had to re-store my coach for a while in my rv park area as I usually do for winter.
I plugged into a 15 amp receptacle as I always do and my power watch meter reads low and the green light is off. The magnum monitor says it is absorb charging which is what I see every year but the power watch  reads about 100 volts instead of the roughly 110 volts it did every other time. Anyone have suggestions why?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #1 –
You may need to set you max amp draw on the magnum charger to 10 amps, looks like your batteries are down a bit. Do you have any thing running on ac? Aquahot, fridge, and so on.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #2 –
No there is no large draw for power. Some parasitic draws but that is all. I guess I will try the setting for 10 amps on the 2812 and see where it goes. How long before I see a change ?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #3 –
Verify voltage with your digital voltmeter-- check at any 120 VAC outlet in the coach.

Could be a problem with low voltage. Could be a problem with he Powerwatch display.

To check polarity at a house-type outlet-- check at house side outlet you are plugged into and an outlet in the coach):

Long straight is the neutral.
Shorter straight is hot.
Round is ground.

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: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #4 –
First thing I would do is make sure youhave 110 volts, you may only have 100 coming in..
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #5 –
As others says check you incoming voltage. If it is in fact only 100 volts you May damage things with that low of voltage. With changing the settings you should see results quickly.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #6 –
I seem to remember a past discussion about the PowerWatch meter...where it was noted that the meter only reads the voltage on one leg of the 110V circuit, or something like that.  Does that sound correct?  If so, there might be different voltage reading on different outlets in the coach.

OR, the PowerWatch meter might just be getting wonky.
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: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I seem to remember a past discussion about the Power Watch meter...where it was noted that the meter only reads the voltage on one leg of the 110V circuit, or something like that.  Does that sound correct?  If so, there might be different voltage reading on different outlets in the coach.

OR, the Power Watch meter might just be getting wonky.


Yes, if on a 50 amp outlet (two hots L1 and L2) you are correct.

But, on 30 amp or 15/20 amp there is only ONE hot, so "what you read is what you have to the whole coach".
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: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #8 –
For some reason unbeknownst to me the meter and magnum are working correctly now and the meter show 110 and the magnum shows float charging now. Perhaps the batteries were depleted....not sure
Thanks all for the suggestions!
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Odd reading on power watch meter

Reply #9 –
Peter,

If on limited shore power (15/20 or even 30 amp service) program your inverter charger (called either power save or power share) to 5 amps.  That limits battery charging to 5 amps @ 120 VAC which give over 40 amps of battery charging.
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