Control panels and Electric Meters

[Joe Camper]

I need a source for a set of meters for a 50 amp coach with both 12 and 24 volt DC house battery banks as well.

The bus has Magnum 24 volt inverters and the deluxe remotes that give inverter volts and amps so I do not need those perticular gauges.

I am looking for 8 meters, preferably digital, but I am willing to look at analog if I like the look.

I want 2 a/c volt meters and 2 a/c amp meters (a set for each leg) and 2 d/c voltage meters and 2 d/c amp meters (1 set for the 12 volt and 1 set for the 24 volt)

If I can I would also be interested in a prefabbed panel for them to set in so I did not have to fab it up.

I have seen this stuff before but can't remember where and I know I will get results here.

Thanks in advance.

[luvrbus]

Check the marine dealers Blue Sea has a nice panel with ac and dc meters with switches


good luck

[Sean]

Joe,

If you are running you main electrical through the Magnums, you should already be getting volts and amps there.  Not sure I understand why you would need separate meters.

With regard to dual AC voltmeters, if you intend to use these to verify proper incoming power before connection (by, for example, having a main breaker downstream of them), I recommend you use only a single voltmeter and a double-throw switch to select between the two legs.  This is to avoid a false "good" reading in the event the shore power has an open neutral.  (I discussed this more extensively here:
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=3209.msg68651#msg68651
and subsequent posts in that thread.)

Ammeters will require current transformers in the appropriate ratings, and you will need room in your panels for them.  The transformers need to be slipped over the hot legs, so you'll need to find a spot where you can easily disconnect your main feeds to install them.

All kinds of panel-mount meters available from Newark, Allied, and Del City.  You can spend $100 or $1,000.  The Blue Sea stuff that Clifford suggests is very nice, but, IMO, very spendy for what it is.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Joe Camper]

Well this is for sure a project that is gonna get tackled in the very immidate future.

Yes  I can meter the inverters with the Magnum stuff and that is what I intend to do for inverter draw and voltage.

I have feeds for both a/c legs to plug into close by where that panel is, that is how the original stuff was done.

This is a Marathon and the supplier is gone for the original meter panel, no stuff available and the entire meter board is inop.

Marathon wires thier buses different than anyone else. I've been told because of Origon code............. I think odd.

Thanks again I will go thru the links and I wil for sure be continuing this thread to its conclusion with undoubtably way more help before its done.

One meter for the a/c comming in with a toggle to switch back and forth but then still 2 amp meters to see what is the load on each leg.

Then 2  meters for the 12 volt d/c house stuff  1 for voltage and 1 for amp draw and the meters on the 24 volt Magnum inverter remotes will monitor what the 24 volt house bank is doing?

Is that what you suggested sean I think so.

[Joe Camper]

Marathon is using those donut rings (are those transformers for the meters?) around the feeds it would be really nice if I could utilize the ones that are there???

[Sean]

Marathon is using those donut rings (are those transformers for the meters?) around the feeds it would be really nice if I could utilize the ones that are there???

The "donut ring" is called a Current Transformer, and, yes, that's what's needed for an ammeter.  The good news is that current transformers come in standard ratios, and you just need to get the meter to match.  The turns ratio for the transformer should be stamped or printed on it someplace.  If you can find that number I can help you with what meter you'll need.  That will save you a ton, as the CTs themselves are spendy.

I would not give up on the meters in the original panel, either.  It's unusual for them all to go out at once, perhaps some of them can be reused.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Joe Camper]

Someting occurred to me as I worked today.

Our camper has both 12 and 24 volt house systems, just as this other camper with the bad panel, but our house batteries are configured very differently.

On ours we have 2 separate battery banks.....4-12 volt batteries all parallel for 12 volt stuff AND 4 more 12 volt batteries 2 parallelled pairs series together for the 24 volt stuff.

This Marathon simply configures all 8 12 volt batteries 24 volt and then taps in the between 2 to also provide 12 volt service.

This seems like a smarter way to do it.

Should I reconfigure my house batteries this way and if so I may under stand why you suggest i do not need both sets of DC meters??

Thanks in advance.

[Joe Camper]

There are 2 meters registering completely wrong readings and the lights work . When I remove it I will not throw it away, we can play with it some.


Marathon suggested we find an aftermarket replacement.

If I can meter the DC stuff with the Magnum remote  the way they configured the batts the 12 volt will always be 1/2 so all we are talking about is 1 volt meter with a toggle for either leg on the a/c current and two amp meters for their draw?


That simplifies things some for sure.

Where am I thinking wrong?

On a side note I am carting back 2 2800w 24v heart inverters with the remote panel that we replaced with the magnums. 1 has a charging problem the other is been overworked and overheated in a bay with no ventilation at all ZIP. I couldn't believe it. Those inverters are mounted up in the top of the bay cooking.

I have a fellow in Santa Fe who I am sending the boards and the remotes to and IF they are worthy I will spend the doe.