| Meters [message #358968] |
Sat, 26 September 2020 11:29  |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Since we've got a number of new owners, let's talk a bit about your electrical test set, the multimeter. They come in two forms, digital and analog. While the digital is normally more accurate, it doesn't show trends well. Watch the needle on an analog meter and trends are readily apparent. Here's an analog under 8 dollars shipped which will serve nicely: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Voltmeter-Ammeter-Ohmmeter-Analog-Multimeter-Tester-Meter-Volt-AC-DC-1000V-4000mA/264735286860?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo% 3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160406134228%26meid%3D3b1d6dd10f7f4933abb93e4c05ba854e%26pid%3D100625%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D7%26itm%3D264735286860%26pmt%3D 1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2499334%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2499334.c100625.m3682
For more accurate measurements, the digital meter shines. Unless you do a lot of AC measurements on reactive circuits (you probably don't) there's no need to drop the extra money for a true RMS meter, peak AC will do just fine. I bought this one because it had many more features : https://www.ebay.com/p/9032118639?iid=283654194902&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=2836541949 02&targetid=935083617307&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9011014&poi=&campaignid=10897367470&mkgroupid=108153776780&rlsa target=pla-935083617307&abcId=9300403&merchantid=118875260&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzN7JqJ2H7AIVBL7ACh1wywXjEAQYAyABEgLNFvD_BwE
If you don't use the features, eBay has digital meters for less than fifteen dollars delivered which are suitable for everything on a GMC. One caveat on all the heaten chionee cheap meters, which I have run into several times. Often the plastic outer cover on the prob banana plug (the end that fits into the meter) is a bit too long resulting in intermittent readings. Take an X-Acto and trim it back an eight of an inch or so to cure this problem.
For work (55 years in broadcast engineering) I used a Simpson 260 series analog meter and a couple of John Fluke digitals. They are way beyond anything needed in the GMC and are far from inexpensive. The ones listed above are totally sufficient for GMC work, and if you trash one by measuring all the ohms in the plughole you haven't lost a lot of money.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Meters [message #358979 is a reply to message #358970] |
Sat, 26 September 2020 18:16  |
mghamms
Messages: 466
Registered: March 2016
Location: Ware, Massachusetts
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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One that does hertz is real good for setting the idle on the generator.
Test on your home currant 60 Hz.
Set the Idle to the same.
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
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| Re: Meters [message #358981 is a reply to message #358968] |
Sat, 26 September 2020 18:51 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Actually Voltage takes priority over Hertz per the Onan manual.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Meters [message #358988 is a reply to message #358985] |
Sat, 26 September 2020 20:34 |
mghamms
Messages: 466
Registered: March 2016
Location: Ware, Massachusetts
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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good idea.
I've got mine now checking how muck power my lawn mower uses.
Matt Colie wrote on Sat, 26 September 2020 19:15mghamms wrote on Sat, 26 September 2020 19:16One that does hertz is real good for setting the idle on the generator.
Test on your home currant 60 Hz.
Set the Idle to the same.
I have found that the absolute best thing for messing with the Onan is a Kill-A-Watt. It can display voltage and frequency as easily as the other, chose one for the moment. Then you can take it inside an watch what it is doing while you do other things.
Matt
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
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| Re: Meters [message #358989 is a reply to message #358981] |
Sat, 26 September 2020 20:37 |
mghamms
Messages: 466
Registered: March 2016
Location: Ware, Massachusetts
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Yes voltage is important but can vary quite a bit,115 to 120 is ideal. You still want 6o Hz with the proper voltage.
JohnL455 wrote on Sat, 26 September 2020 18:51Actually Voltage takes priority over Hertz per the Onan manual.
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
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| Re: Meters [message #358994 is a reply to message #358968] |
Sun, 27 September 2020 07:23 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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The kill a watt is a good under $20 investment if you're in the coach away from shore power. As the frequency, the unloved varispeed Junkerac RV genset produced from 55 to 65 Hz, depending on load, winding(s) used and engine speed. Not the set to run an electric clock. All junked now I suspect. A Good Idea which fell victim to a price point manufacture.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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