Monitoring the Hz as well as voltage question

[JimInMich]

My 1987 MH doesn't have a monitoring panel thats worth a hoot. So I am building one. I am buying 3 meters. One for chassis battery, 1 for house batteries and one for the 120v.

I'm wondering if I should buy a volts only or get a dual volts/Hz. The small meter I'm looking at has a Hz range of 45-65. Is that enough of a variation for monitoring purposes?

[SaltiDawg]

Deleted. No value added. :B

[SCVJeff]

JimInMich wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
Since you are building a panel, THIS will do nicely. And there are cheaper ones down the page.

That one does cover a larger range. THIS is the one I was looking at.

saw that one too. If you are outside of that range you're in trouble anyway and at least you can see it, but you'll probably hear it first. The nice thing about an analog meter is you can watch hunting (if it occurs) way better than a digital meter, but again you will hear it.

I used to have an analog AC and Freq meter test box I used for tuning my old Onan. 'Twas a great device for service.

[JimInMich]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Yes and would love a link please...

A link to what, may I ask?

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Jim,

A kill-a-watt meter can monitor frequency. It is a best bang for the buck and is plug and play.

I have one already. My plan is to make a panel I can see from the driver seat. You see, I have a large void above the motor clam shell where an old analog tube type TV was sitting. I have removed the TV and am going to build me an info display center, along with some shelves for what not's. Then while driving, I can keep an eye on my alternator ( I have an old analog type on the dash thats hard to see ). Also would be easy to keep an eye on the 110 voltage while the genset is running the roof air.

scrubjaysnest wrote:
Trimetric or similar for monitoring the batteries is the best thing. It can be wired to monitor house batteries with a cranking battery voltage input or switch the second input between solar panels and cranking battery.

Trimetric is too expensive right now, but thanx for the info.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:

Correct analog resolution is much preferred to digital because speed hunting vs digital sample rates causes unreadable values. From the school of hard knocks.

Ahhh, makes sense. Ok, maybe I'll find a reasonable analog, I check it out.

[JimInMich]

SCVJeff wrote:
Since you are building a panel, THIS will do nicely. And there are cheaper ones down the page.

That one does cover a larger range. THIS is the one I was looking at.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Suspect the generator is hunting ever so slightly A digital gauge will have blurred segments. I much prefer analog. The vibrating reed type over a period of 100 years has proven itself as being both the most reliable and longest lived.

[MrWizard]

RLS7201 wrote:

MrWizard wrote:
You mean 'meter'

Governor is on the generator motor/throttle

Good Governor Meter

Richard

yes.. meter
good governor is the Name of the meter
it watches the line, it does NOT control the generator

[SCVJeff]

Since you are building a panel, THIS will do nicely. And there are cheaper ones down the page.

[wa8yxm]

I use a Kill-a-Watt to monitor both HZ and Volts and agree with it. A stand alone Hz meter either electroinc or the vibrating reed type (WW II surplus) will do nicely.

normal HZ is 50-60,(50 overseas 60 IN North America) so 45-65 is a good range for the meter. in fact if HZ is outside that range you have problems.

[RLS7201]

MrWizard wrote:
You mean 'meter'

Governor is on the generator motor/throttle

Good Governor Meter

Richard

[MrWizard]

You mean 'meter'

Governor is on the generator motor/throttle

[colliehauler]

I use a Good Governor, don't know if they even make them anymore. It plugs into a outlet and show voltage and hz. Bought it from Camping World years ago.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Whatz ghe definition of close?
With a hydraulic governor my Kubota varied 57-63 and a tightening of the span resulted in hunting. That's when I sprang for the Woodward electronic governor. Span is now 59.7 to 60.1 no load to full engine load.

Correct analog resolution is much preferred to digital because speed hunting vs digital sample rates causes unreadable values. From the school of hard knocks.

[scrubjaysnest]

For shore power a freq meter isn't needed. Maybe for a large inverter or ginny but most of them will be so close to 60 Hz probably doesn't matter. Trimetric or similar for monitoring the batteries is the best thing. It can be wired to monitor house batteries with a cranking battery voltage input or switch the second input between solar panels and cranking battery.
Kill-A-Watt is a good thing for 120 vac systems.

[RoyB]

I also use the KILL-A-WATT meter here... My model is the P-4400...

A very useful meter to have with several different functions...


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When I got mine the word on the forum was to use caution using the front 120VAC receptacle. It apparently it not a good quality receptacle and may fail on you if used extensive for plugging in various cords for testing. I use one of those three position 120VAC adapters here. If this fails not much expense involved replacing it.


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I also have one of those 120VAC circuit testers plugged into one of the three sockets...


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Using a RV30A-15A long cable adapter this combo setup makes for a great portable meter to use on camping trips testing the 30A campground pedestal before plugging in my trailer shore power cable.

I made up my own DC MONITOR Panel for my trailer with two 12VDC meters for looking at each of my two switchable battery banks and one 70AMP DC Current meter to measure my selected DC load. This 70AMPS DC Current meter always reads in reverse measuring the amount of DC Current being demanded from my converter/charger unit when re-charging my batteries.

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I have this meter mounted right inside my entrance door where I can monitor the status of my battery bank with ease from both inside and outside positions. The only other thing I wish I had would be a settable DC VOLTAGE level alarm to sound off when I am approaching the battery 50% charge state level (12.0VDC)

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I watch this meter panel like a hawk when camping off-grid keeping me alert to my approximate battery bank status.

I also had to install a OFF-ON switch to the monitoring panel as the readouts turned to be very bright to leave on 24/7. Even too bright to be a nite light haha...

Roy Ken