As per the title, we are looking for something like the "kill a watt" meter that plug into a standard 50 amp 220 volt RV plug. This is so we can monitor the amount of charge current our electric car uses. This is more of a curiosity thing. I like this kinda stuff. A simple plug and play with pass through would be nice but can't seem to find anything out there. We have a kill a watt meter that we use when we are just using 110 but getting the 220 3.3 KW EVSE for the car and kinda curious on a couple things. Thanks in advance. John and Angela

http://www.technorv.com/Portable_50A_Surge_Protector_Voltage_Protection_p/pg-ems-pt50c.htm

If the car charger is purely a 240V device, or at least has practically no unbalanced (120V) circuitry, then you could build something akin to a Kill-a-watt from one of these and a box, plug, socket, bit of wire, etc. You'd connect the voltage sense lines to the two hots, and the current sense transformer over one of the hots—exactly as though it were a 240V two-wire circuit.If the legs are used in an unbalanced fashion, you'd need two—one for each leg, with the voltages each referenced to neutral—and then have to add the energy consumption values together.A used utility company electric meter would also do the trick, and old non-remote-read ones are not hard to come by for reasonable prices. Again, an appropriate box and wiring, etc. is needed.

DrewE wrote:If the car charger is purely a 240V device, or at least has practically no unbalanced (120V) circuitry, then you could build something akin to a Kill-a-watt from one of these and a box, plug, socket, bit of wire, etc. You'd connect the voltage sense lines to the two hots, and the current sense transformer over one of the hots—exactly as though it were a 240V two-wire circuit.If the legs are used in an unbalanced fashion, you'd need two—one for each leg, with the voltages each referenced to neutral—and then have to add the energy consumption values together.A used utility company electric meter would also do the trick, and old non-remote-read ones are not hard to come by for reasonable prices. Again, an appropriate box and wiring, etc. is needed.Thanks for the reply. It uses a standard RV plug with four prongs. I thought about the old meter thing but am looking for something with selectable displays something like the Kill a watt. Great idea though. I'll look into it. Thanks.

Learjet wrote:http://www.technorv.com/Portable_50A_Surge_Protector_Voltage_Protection_p/pg-ems-pt50c.htmThank you for the suggestion. I am actually looking for something where I can read off kilowatts used etc. Neat device though.

Changed as more information on what the OP wants is now available. An electric meter would certainly give you total power but not amps or volts.

Looking for a "KILL A WATT" meter but for 220 volt 50 amp.

16 Replies

John___Angela
Explorer
Oct 08, 2015
wa8yxm wrote:
Kill-a-watt does not make such a meter.

Now... If you are only interested in CURRENT then any of the RV surge guards with the proper socket adapters can do that for you THe ones with the LCD displays all show current far as I know Or you could put an HW-50C in front of the outlet.

IF you want to know watts.. Any standard watt meter (Google for em, there are dozens of different ones out there) will do the job.

Yep. After lots of googling that sums it up. I did find some nifty stuff on ebay. Maybe time for a winter project...right after my clear coat repair projects on my coach that are waiting for me when we get south this year....yay.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2015
Kill-a-watt does not make such a meter.

Now... If you are only interested in CURRENT then any of the RV surge guards with the proper socket adapters can do that for you THe ones with the LCD displays all show current far as I know Or you could put an HW-50C in front of the outlet.

IF you want to know watts.. Any standard watt meter (Google for em, there are dozens of different ones out there) will do the job.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2015
Perhaps install the device in the MH which might give you more charging options distance wise plus possible gen charging. But there are 50A extension cords for the pedestal.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2015
With a little creative wiring, you could use 2 kill-a-watts to resolve your problem. Then you could read volts, amps, watts, kilowatts, etc on each leg

Richard
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 07, 2015
Heck, I'd be happy if they made one rated for 20A with the appropriate T-shaped slot.
John___Angela
Explorer
Oct 07, 2015
CA Traveler wrote:
I'm reasonably sure you won't find a device with a 50A RV plug since that is not what EV car chargers use. The DrewE link gives you everything you want - voltage, amps, watts and watt hours. Looks like a easy DIY project. It is indoor rated.

You could consider this and perhaps add the DrewE device inside along an adapter for the incoming AC power to a 50A RV plug. In addition to adding a number of safety features it is outdoor rated. Although $$ it would have some resale down the road.

Actually there are a few level 2 chargers that come with the RV 50amp plug including the one that costco sells. Specifically done so they are compatible with campgrounds. We will probably get the costco one as it occasionally goes on sale.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2015
I'm reasonably sure you won't find a device with a 50A RV plug since that is not what EV car chargers use. The DrewE link gives you everything you want - voltage, amps, watts and watt hours. Looks like a easy DIY project. It is indoor rated.

You could consider this and perhaps add the DrewE device inside along an adapter for the incoming AC power to a 50A RV plug. In addition to adding a number of safety features it is outdoor rated. Although $$ it would have some resale down the road.
John___Angela
Explorer
Oct 07, 2015
pianotuna wrote:
Hi John and Angela,

This will do what you need--and it uses hall effect sensors.

elite watt meter

I use mine to monitor my power consumption. Works like a charm! I`ve seen a peak of 7000 watts. (I have 3 shore power cords).

Yep. That's pretty much do it Don. Yudaman.

Thanks Don
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 07, 2015
Hey Don

thanks, i Like it
i'm gonna put that on my wish list
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 07, 2015
Hi John and Angela,

This will do what you need--and it uses hall effect sensors.

elite watt meter

I use mine to monitor my power consumption. Works like a charm! I`ve seen a peak of 7000 watts. (I have 3 shore power cords).