Amperage Monitor. Anyone ever use one?

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Redrockerstl55

Redrockerstl55

Active member
Joined
Aug 5, 2017
Posts
41
Location
St Louis Suburbs
Hey Guys,

I bought one of these devices to measure how many amps my RV was pulling.  I was headed to Northern Indiana to visit family for Christmas.  We took our travel trailer which has a 4 seasons package.  I was parked in my fathers driveway and only had access to a 15 amp connection.  So this P3 P4460 monitor was a huge help estimating what I could run in the way of furnace, lights and electric heaters why we were subjected to temperatures around 5 degrees and wind chills at -20F. 

Hope this video helps someone out. 

https://youtu.be/GIZhXHxJEM0
 
any of us here in the forum suggest you invest in a good SURGE PROTECTOR such as the Probressive Industries HW 30 or 50 C (the number refers to your RV 30 amp gets a 30, I will let you figure out the 50)

These show amprage (per leg on the 50) in addition to their other functions.
 
Punomatic said:
I installed one of these in my trailer so I can monitor volts and amps.
Click to expand...

I wonder if this meter can be mounted in an electrical box.  It is usually unacceptable to run individual 120 volt wires to exposed terminals.
 
I don't know why it couldn't be installed in a box. You might have to modify a blank cover plate to accept the meter. In an RV, finding room in a wall for a box might be a challenge. Perhaps you could make a custom box from some sheet metal.
 
Many RVs come factory equipped with a power monitor panel, either as part of a 30A management system or with a surge-protector type device. They read up to 30A or 50A, depending on the RV.

The Kill-A-Watt is excellent (I've owned one for years) but limited to 15A max, so be careful when you turn things on. If you forget and have an a/c on, you might dry the Kill-A-Watt.
 
Thank you for the tip on that Gary.  Much appreciated.  This was a great device to give me an idea of how many things (ceramic heaters and LED lights) I could plug into a 15A outlet when we were in 5 degree temps.  I had no idea a device like this existed until I googled it. 

I appreciate your insight on being careful not to overload it. 

Thank you. 
 
The Kill-A-Watt also measures frequency, which is an easy way to verify a conventional generator is running at the correct speed.  This doesn't apply to inverter generators where the frequency is set by the electronics, not engine RPM.
 
My Kill A Watt did everything but read the voltage correctly, off by about 20 volts.
 
WILDEBILL308 said:
When it is riley cold you can run a second extension to power your electric heater. Just use a different circuit for the power source.  ;)
Bill
Click to expand...
When using the heater, it can be powered from the pole on a different circuit.  Run a cord to the camper and then run a FLAT cord (appliance extension) through the door or window so the opening is small, then to the heater.
 
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