AC Usage

[revump]

I have an 06 Alfa SeeYa. Recently, I spent 2 months at the same RV Park. My SYA used more power than any other unit in the park by almost double. The utility company checked the meter and it seemed to be okay. So, I am trying to discover if I have a problem in my rig. Any suggestions would be great.

[sflabrkr]

Your probably going to find it was your block heater

[JC2]

Have you thought about using a Kill-a-Watt plugin. It tells you not only the incoming voltage but will also let you monitor electrical usuage of individual devices.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009MDBU/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=3212817909&ref=pd_sl_8v3ml4scx1_e

[revump]

Yep ... will work on this at the next resort

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I assume that you have your own separate power meter. Watch the meter and switch off one circuit at a time, at the circuit breaker in your coach, and you should see what is drawing the most power.

[rgatijnet1]

I assume that you have your own separate power meter. Watch the meter and switch off one circuit at a time, at the circuit breaker in your coach, and you should see what is drawing the most power.

[Coyote74]

Hot water on all the time(thermostat sticking) and a/c running all the time draws most wattage. I was at a rally and they show up with rigs with 3 A/C's or 4 and the staff wanted them to pay separate elec or pay a higher fee.

[wolfe10]

Ya, not a good idea to leave the block heater on all the time.

Unless temperatures are below zero F, a couple of hours is all you need for an easy engine start. No heater ever needed if you are not going to start it-- most are 1500 watt heaters. And yes 24/7 they can use a lot of power.

[revump]

We have been in the NW. So, we have used block heater. We will try shutting it off next time we have a metered site. Thanks.

wildmanbaker wrote:
I would look at an engine block heater, but you are in Las Vegas. Try turning off the electric hot water heater. Do you have a space heater in an basement compartment, that is plugged in and running? If you have a electrical watt meter at you site, check it to see if you are using any power. If so, start turning things off and checking the meter to see what differences it makes. If everything you can think of, is off, start opening breakers one at a time and checking the meter to see if usage drops off. Keep doing this until all you have closed is the main. If you still have usage, there is probably a problem with the lead-in wiring. Bad inverter/charger?

Good luck

[dougrainer]

Just because you use a LOT of electricity, does not mean you have a "problem" with your RV. Alfa motorhomes were notorious for Air Conditioner cooling problems. The design of the basement air and return duct system meant that in temps above 80 degrees the AC units ran almost 24/7. You may have a little more air leakage than other units next to you. As others stated, make sure your Engine block heater is off. Doug

[the_bear_II]

How do you use your A/C ?
Do you turn it on once it gets uncomfortable inside or turn it on and leave it on ?

Do you have and use a Washer Dryer and they don't ?

In the resort we've been in for the past 3 hot months, most of the RV'ers run the A/C 24 hours and rarely turn it off. Even if they leave to go shopping or to the pool the A/C stays on.

I'm guessing if you turn it on and off frequently you may actually use more power. The A/C works hard to cool down the interior. If the A/C is left on all of the surfaces get cold and the A/C doesn't have to work as hard to maintain the temp inside.

We leave ours on unless the temp outside gets below 65 and there is a breeze..then we open up all the windows and shut of the A/C. Our electric bill in the San Diego area RV resort for August was $139.00 don't know how many KW we used. Washer / Dryer used every other day and A/C plus all of the other fun electronics daily.

[CA_Traveler]

Poor insulation, leaks, open vents, doors etc.

[wildmanbaker]

I would look at an engine block heater, but you are in Las Vegas. Try turning off the electric hot water heater. Do you have a space heater in an basement compartment, that is plugged in and running? If you have a electrical watt meter at you site, check it to see if you are using any power. If so, start turning things off and checking the meter to see what differences it makes. If everything you can think of, is off, start opening breakers one at a time and checking the meter to see if usage drops off. Keep doing this until all you have closed is the main. If you still have usage, there is probably a problem with the lead-in wiring. Bad inverter/charger?

Good luck

[SWD]

I'd go and check to see how much you are pulling, amps wise, from your unit. Are you comparing units like for like?