Electric overuse?

[turtletalk]

It is most convenient for us to plug in electric blankets, electric heater, electric frying pan, electric toothbrushes, radio, chargers for phones and also use the microwave. It seems to me that the wiring in our 2001 TC would not have been designed to anticipate this use. Whenever I wonder about a TC use issue..I just read this friendly forum and ask my "friends" for advice! Any experience or advice about electric overuse? Thanks, Ann

[mkirsch]

The meter is literally called a "Kill-A-Watt Meter." If you can't find them anywhere else, look on Amazon.

It is very easy to use. Just plug it in, and plug whatever you want to read into the meter.

[turtletalk]

what meter do you recommend?

[billtex]

turtletalk wrote:
It is most convenient for us to plug in electric blankets, electric heater, electric frying pan, electric toothbrushes, radio, chargers for phones and also use the microwave. It seems to me that the wiring in our 2001 TC would not have been designed to anticipate this use. Whenever I wonder about a TC use issue..I just read this friendly forum and ask my "friends" for advice! Any experience or advice about electric overuse? Thanks, Ann

Wealwayslieinbedwiththeelectricblanketonfryingchickenforbreakfastwhilebrushingourteethlisteningtotheradiowhiletalkingonthephoneaboutthepopcorninthemicrowave.

Isn’t this what everyone does while camping?

[turtletalk]

well, mkirsch, you just introduced another morning topic at our table..thanks. We will label outlets with circuit number and power cords with Amps.

[mkirsch]

Boatycall wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
One of the best tools to carry is a kill-a-watt meter. That way you can measure every appliance to truly know the load it is presenting.

X2, I have one in the TC. Especially nice to know when you're boondocking relying on solar.

X3. Mine stays plugged into one of the outlets just to get a reading on the condition of the power coming from the pedestal or generator.

Just plug whatever appliance you're using into the kill-a-watt and set it to read Amps. If you have trouble remembering, put the Amps on a tag on the power cord near the plug as a reminder to not have too many things plugged in.

Your camper likely has at least two circuits, and it would be a good idea to identify which plug is on which circuit. Simply plug something like a lamp into each plug and turn off a circuit breaker at your power panel and see if the light goes off. Label each plug with the circuit number.

IMHO, try to keep total usage at 10-12 Amps at most per circuit.

[Boatycall]

pianotuna wrote:
One of the best tools to carry is a kill-a-watt meter. That way you can measure every appliance to truly know the load it is presenting.

X2, I have one in the TC. Especially nice to know when you're boondocking relying on solar.

[turtletalk]

thanks. We appreciate the time taken to consider our question and to answer.
David and Ann

[getpower1]

pianotuna wrote:
The outlets should have screw terminals for the wire--not ones where the wire is poked into a hole.



Pull one out before buying a bunch of replacements.

The reset is a gfi connector.

getpower1 wrote:
Stab connectors...meaning the plugs that's have the reset on all of them?

Oh I know what you're talking about. I couldn't remember what the outlets were called for some reason this morning. Lack of coffee yet, I guess.

[Kayteg1]

The plugs issue might play role as well.
Campers from the factory usually come with cheapest duplexes that are on the market.
When those last in the house for years, camper is exposed to moisture and risk of overheating plug is not acceptable.
I would replace at least the heater duplex with industrial or hospital grade one.

[pianotuna]

One of the best tools to carry is a kill-a-watt meter. That way you can measure every appliance to truly know the load it is presenting.

[pianotuna]

The outlets should have screw terminals for the wire--not ones where the wire is poked into a hole.



Pull one out before buying a bunch of replacements.

The reset is a gfi connector.

getpower1 wrote:
Stab connectors...meaning the plugs that's have the reset on all of them?

[Kayteg1]

Learn about power use.
Phone chargers, toothbrush takes marginal power, so you don't even count those.
Electric blankets can take more power, so read the label.
Now all electric heaters take 1500W on high, microwave about 800, skillet is not going to be low neither.
Meaning you can risk using 2 of those 3 at the same time, but running all 3 will give you some trouble.

[Grit_dog]

That's a lot of stuff in a TC!
It's about amp draw. You can't overuse the wires in terms of frequency.
You can overload the circuit or wiring in your camper same as anywhere else.

[getpower1]

pianotuna wrote:
Constant use for a 30 amp service should be 80% of capacity or 24 amps.

I chose to replace the "stab" connectors that were used in the outlets in my RV. I recommend that to anyone using high draw items (such as the electric fry pan).

Stab connectors...meaning the plugs that's have the reset on all of them?

My camper has these for every plug I think. Like the plugs in a residential bathroom? You replaced them all with these, or removed them and replaced them with something else?