A/C on 116 volts?

LadyRVer, that was a clever tip about taking the fridge off-line if the voltage gets a little low. Thanks for posting that!

Lynnmor wrote:

RoyB wrote:
I have one of these RV120VAC VOLTMETER (AMAZON) installed in one of my AC receptacles to alow me to watch the AC VOLTAGE all the time... This has the GREEN SCALE on it for easy viewing...

That green scale is off quite a bit since anything above 105 volts is acceptable. I suggest buying a digital voltmeter.

YEP IMO that meter is fairly worthless, but if it makes you feel good go for it:E

Larry

When in doubt, listen to the compressor startup, if its a good positive startup, you good to go. If the compressor start up is sluggish, you playing w/ possibledamage, no matter the volt meter. Its always been that way.

solismaris wrote:
I've run it occasionally with voltage reading as low as 100. Not recommended I know. But no problems yet. Crossing fingers.

Low voltage damages the windings on AC motors due to overheating the insulation. The damage is cumulative over time and an AC unit can suddenly fail one day for no obvious reason.

Also, when an AC unit starts up, it draws a momentary inrush current of around 50-60 amps. Even if you're at a borderline of 104 volts when running and you think you're okay, the voltage can dip very low and still damage the motors. The voltage dips so fast you can't tell how much on a voltmeter.

Replacing AC units is an expensive affair and not worth gambling IMO.

I installed a flush-mounted mini LED panel meter on the wall near the door. I got a quality US-made Datel meter but any of the inexpensive ones out there should be just fine. Available in a plug-in version too. And 'cos it's a hobby and time & money is no object, I also installed one of their ammeters right above the voltmeter. Current rarely goes much above 15-20 amps and it's the voltmeter that is by far most useful.

If you had a hard-wired EMS with remote display inside, you could also read volts & amps that way but I find the constant scrolling of the data to be annoying.

RoyB wrote:
I have one of these RV120VAC VOLTMETER (AMAZON) installed in one of my AC receptacles to alow me to watch the AC VOLTAGE all the time... This has the GREEN SCALE on it for easy viewing...


Google image

I have the same one. Quick and easy to see the voltage, don't even need my glasses on. :)

I've run it occasionally with voltage reading as low as 100. Not recommended I know. But no problems yet. Crossing fingers.

I was told by my converter (Liberty Coach) to not run below 110v to stay on the safe side. The coach is in a large storage garage and I can check everything from my iphone. This morning I was showing 111v on leg #1 with one air running. I also have two refrigerators (small one in basement) and the battery charger will charge as needed.

Apparently when I checked, the battery charger was on and then turned off and the volts changed to 114v. So, I turned off the front air and turned on the bedroom air as it's on leg #2. It was showing 116v on leg two with the air running and leg one went to 119v.

MM.

Good point on the GREEN SAFE marking alittle above what the spec is. I still like seeing he GREEN marking zone being visible...

I also have the digital version here on my social media console here which is probably more accurate than the analog scale version... It is reading 115VAC this morning... Usually around the 120VAC reading...

Looks like this from AMAZON


The point here was getting a readout inside the trailer to observe your AC VOLTAGE on a regular basis... Even if it is a VOM with the test leads pushed into the AC SOCKET and meter hanging on a nail haha...

Roy Ken

I have one like RoyB posted, but it shows the voltage to be a little less than actual. I bought a new digital one, that is much more accurate, and shows the same as my digital multi-meter.

Jerry

RoyB wrote:
I have one of these RV120VAC VOLTMETER (AMAZON) installed in one of my AC receptacles to alow me to watch the AC VOLTAGE all the time... This has the GREEN SCALE on it for easy viewing...

That green scale is off quite a bit since anything above 105 volts is acceptable. I suggest buying a digital voltmeter.