The Caravan Owners Club

[Doc]

I've posted this on other forums but I think it's a very useful gadget, for when you tour on the continent with their low amperage connections.

It's from Tchibo and costs just £9.99

It gives read outs of voltage, current, watts and cost
AND you can set current limits on it so that it beeps if the limit is exceeded.

VERY useful when on the low current hook-ups abroad so that you don't trip the CB's in their hook-up box. Much cheaper than the fancy Reich Fuse-Control.

I'm going to hard-wire it in, next to the Hobby electrics box in the wardrobe; between the RCCB and the MCB's.

Some have suggested wiring it in between the mains inlet socket and the caravan mains 'consumer unit'; easier done perhaps, but then it's not covered by the 'van's RCCB (if you've got one!!)

[beejay]

Hi Doc
I have two of these. One is an "Econometer" made by a Bedford company and on sale several years ago. The other was sold by Lidl or Aldi last year for about £4.99. Both of these measure the power factor and frequency as well as all the others. I, too, thought great for limiting usage on sites with restricted amperage. But, when the bleep sounds for overload you have already tripped the supply! Like if the water heater thermostat kicks in and you had forgotten to allow for that! You do need to know how much each appliance uses and they are ideal for measuring that, but, on a site with 3 amps you soon learn what you can (or can't!) use. On a site with "by the kilowatt/hour" can check on the cost. Whether you would want to debate any difference with the site owner !!!!!!!! It is also surprising how low a site supply voltage can drop. My lowest, so far, is 187volts. Great gadget but I soon got bored looking at it. (Yeah, I know, why did I buy a second one? I can't resist electronic gadgets).