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[Auto Addict]

Sorry, caravan subject.

Is there a reliable (cheap) gadget I can fit in my caravan to actually check how many amps the 240v supply is really chucking out on site?

Although all sites quote how many amps there are at the electric bollard, I sometimes doubt how accurate their figures are.

A recent site was quoting 10 amps, but was tripping out at about 7 amps.

[Auto Addict]

I was thinking of something like this :-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DROK-80V-300V-Transformer-Voltmeter-transformer/dp/B00GXZ403O

[Kevin Wood]

That might well do the job.

Or you could go for something like this:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/analogue-panel-ammeters/0312741/

Mount it on a panel in the caravan and wire it in series with the incoming mains supply. Doesn't need a power supply itself, just reads current passing through it. Various measurement ranges available.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Might be an idea to try to get a true RMS type as you may well find that what you are getting is not overly sinusoidal and may damage any internal measurement coils (they can saturate if a bit of DC is present)

[Bigron]

I am unclear as to why the question; are you estimating the trip current by the consumption of the items you have connected before the trip goes?
If you suspect that the trip device is incorrectly specified, it is possible to change it for a 16 Amp trip - not suggesting that you do this, of coursr, but electricians can make mistakes with installations.....

Ron.

[Ever Ready]

Might have fitted a 6A instead of a 16A breaker.

[Auto Addict]

I am unclear as to why the question; are you estimating the trip current by the consumption of the items you have connected before the trip goes?
If you suspect that the trip device is incorrectly specified, it is possible to change it for a 16 Amp trip - not suggesting that you do this, of coursr, but electricians can make mistakes with installations.....

Ron.

The trip activated on the site power supply bollard, not in the caravan.

It doesn't need to be constantly monitored, I just want to know how many amps are entering the caravan, so I can use the internal mains equipment accordingly.

Ideally, if I could test the site socket with a meter or something, as a one off when I arrive, that would be ideal.

[Entwood]

I have something similar to this, although much older, it is simply a plug through meter that gives information on supply, including current (amps).

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/15a-plug-in-energy-saving-monitor-l61aq

To check a bollard I use one of these ..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-Amp-Plug-to-13-Amp-Socket-Adaptor-/331754911198

plug in the meter, then one of these

http://www.underbrand.co.uk/p/Bike-Pump-Accessories/detail/B00CIULAYU/240V-UK-Caravan-to-3-Pin-Mains-Supply-Adaptor-Lead-Hook-Up-Cable-Converter.php

to connect the mains lead. Once I've finished testing I remove all the extras and just use the mains lead, as none of the items shown are waterproof enough for my liking ..

[Auto Addict]

I have something similar to this, although much older, it is simply a plug through meter that gives information on supply, including current (amps).

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/15a-plug-in-energy-saving-monitor-l61aq

To check a bollard I use one of these ..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-Amp-Plug-to-13-Amp-Socket-Adaptor-/331754911198

plug in the meter, then one of these

http://www.underbrand.co.uk/p/Bike-Pump-Accessories/detail/B00CIULAYU/240V-UK-Caravan-to-3-Pin-Mains-Supply-Adaptor-Lead-Hook-Up-Cable-Converter.php

to connect the mains lead. Once I've finished testing I remove all the extras and just use the mains lead, as none of the items shown are waterproof enough for my liking ..

Thanks for that but doesn't that set up only show how many amps the caravan is drawing?

I don't need to do that, I just want to know how many amps I have available at the site socket, I don't need to know how many amps I'm drawing.

[Kevin Wood]

The only way to know what you can draw is to look at the rating of the circuit breaker on the socket. Depending on their characteristics, they will all allow an overload for a period of time before finally tripping, so you can't even turn on loads until it trips and then limit yourself to that. If you know what you are drawing in the 'van, however, and it trips, you at least know what draw you have to limit yourself to.

I have one of those gadgets from Maplin too and they are  very handy. Not ideal for keeping an eye on your consumption, though, as you'll have to keep going out the to socket, and it won't be waterproof either.

[Auto Addict]

The only way to know what you can draw is to look at the rating of the circuit breaker on the socket. Depending on their characteristics, they will all allow an overload for a period of time before finally tripping, so you can't even turn on loads until it trips and then limit yourself to that. If you know what you are drawing in the 'van, however, and it trips, you at least know what draw you have to limit yourself to.

I have one of those gadgets from Maplin too and they are  very handy. Not ideal for keeping an eye on your consumption, though, as you'll have to keep going out the to socket, and it won't be waterproof either.

On a particular site the circuit breaker read 10 amps, but was tripping at about 7 amps, must have been a faulty circuit breaker then.

I know how to work out how many amps each piece of equipment draws in the 'van, so I don't have a problem with that.

[Mister Rog]

Amps. I know a bit about them   


Ah . . . . . sorry I thought you meant something like this . . . . Guitar amps   

[TD]

I have something similar to this, although much older, it is simply a plug through meter that gives information on supply, including current (amps).

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/15a-plug-in-energy-saving-monitor-l61aq

To check a bollard I use one of these ..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-Amp-Plug-to-13-Amp-Socket-Adaptor-/331754911198

plug in the meter, then one of these

http://www.underbrand.co.uk/p/Bike-Pump-Accessories/detail/B00CIULAYU/240V-UK-Caravan-to-3-Pin-Mains-Supply-Adaptor-Lead-Hook-Up-Cable-Converter.php

to connect the mains lead. Once I've finished testing I remove all the extras and just use the mains lead, as none of the items shown are waterproof enough for my liking ..

Thanks for that but doesn't that set up only show how many amps the caravan is drawing?

I don't need to do that, I just want to know how many amps I have available at the site socket, I don't need to know how many amps I'm drawing.

Your link for the amazon product will not do what you want, it will just show the amps being consumed by the van.

The only way to know how many amps you can draw before the trips goes is to believe what the breaker has printed on it or to load the circuit up gradually until the breaker trips.....

[Bigron]

Auto Addict, my earlier reply DID refer to the trip at the bollard - it needs changing/upgrading by "somebody" under cover of darkness.....

Ron.

[zirk]

Auto Addict, my earlier reply DID refer to the trip at the bollard - it needs changing/upgrading by "somebody" under cover of darkness.....

Ron.

Preferably with a low lit tough.