Voltage Meter Installed

[LGMI_Camping]

I started doing some mods today. To keep from having "brown-out" issues at campgrounds I installed a digital voltage meter to keep an eye on the current flow.

It fit right into the cabinet with the rest of the switches.


Rough in - Wires connected to outlet above.


Initial test - about 8 minutes into the installation




Installation complete.

Spent about $6 for the meter on ebay and took about 15 minutes to install. I am thinking about installing one now for the battery too.

[calliopeguy]

Very nice! Excellent idea. Surprised that no one thought about that before....should be a standard

[ryeja]

I thought about it recently but way too lazy to do it as there's already a tattle tale meter there and I didnt think the 12v meter would really mean much anyway. Nice job though on the install, looks nice and clean and really should be there instead of the BS gauge the manufacture puts in. I guess it would actually be benifical to see wht you voltage is when you`re on battery power.

[rock1424]

I like it, very clean install. Looks great.I've been trying to figure out the best way to install a digital volt meter for the batteries as I would like to be able to get an actual voltage reading instead of the cheesy voltage readout you get with the tank monitor panel. Would you use the same type of meter for your 12 volt? If so what brand and or model is it?

[LGMI_Camping]

I just ordered a 12volt meter to install directly under the AC meter.

Here is the ebay link: http://shop.ebay.com/giorgio11185/m.html?_nkw=volt+blue&_sacat=0&_trksid=p39 11.m270.l1313&_odkw=volt&_osacat=0&bkB tn=

Make sure to get the one that does not require power. I am unsure if I am going to run the lines down to the circuit panel or directly out to the battery. Un sure of that I am going to get into if I try either way.

Best of luck and Thanks for the comments!

[rock1424]

Larry, thanks for the ebay link. As far as running the wires, would it work to justtap into the wires to the volt meter on the tank monitoriing panel?

[ryeja]

Did you put in a amp meter or voltage meter? Is it AC or DC voltage you are reading? You will not see a "brown out" unless you are monitoring the AC voltage and unless it's recording you may never see anything at all. You converter stilloutputs the same DC voltage +/- a few volts.Still looks goodthough. There were some other posts in the mod section regarding power surge/ drop equipment available. Most of the manufactures of this type of equipment have built some good products, alot less than one can be fabricated in a small package.

[pulpwood007]

Nice job. How did you avoid cutting the wiring when you cut that hole for the volt meter? Seems some of the wiring might be laying directly against the back of the wood panel.

[LGMI_Camping]

I avoided cutting any wires by opening the access panel in the cabinet. The top half of the cabinet behind it has 2 screws in it. you can get in there and see all the mess. I also used a utility knife just sticking out of the holder. The wood is about 1/4 inch thick at the most.

[CamperNJ]

Just remember if you have a 50 Amp service, your only monitoring one leg.

[Hamops]

Originally Posted by rock1424

I like it, very clean install. Looks great.I've been trying to figure out the best way to install a digital volt meter for the batteries as I would like to be able to get an actual voltage reading instead of the cheesy voltage readout you get with the tank monitor panel. Would you use the same type of meter for your 12 volt? If so what brand and or model is it.

A voltmeter to monitor the battery is only useful when you are dry camping because if you are on shore power, then the voltmeter will be monitoring the output from the converter that goes to the battery and the rest of the trailer's 12 volt systems. As for the "cheesey" readout, the voltage reading is fairly accurate because the each LED on the panel is a specific DC voltage level.

[rock1424]

Dry camping is what I'm doing 90+% of the time, which is why I would like an accurate reading of the battery voltage. I am very rarely on shore power, and wouldn't be worried about the battery voltage when I am.

Do you know what the specific DC voltage level is for each LED on "cheesey" readout panel? I've never been able to find an answer to that question.