$$$$$ question$$$

[wa8yxm]

I agree with the Kill-a-watt suggestion.. However a caution.

If ALL you are running is your converter and fridge (you must run the converter or the fridge will soon stop working) that is likely well under 1,000 watts peak, (Closer to 400 in fact) and the Kill-a-watt will pass that no sweat.

HOWEVER..... if you were to fire up a "Big ticket" item, like the water heater, Microwave, or Air conditioner,, ,You might pop the Kill-a-watt's non-replacable internal fuse.

This is just so you will be aware of said fuse.. The unit is only rated for 15 amps (less you get the special 30 amp one, which is expensive and rare) .

[mrcandml]

As of Dec 2011 the cost of one kw hour is 12cents...what would the ballpark figure per month be if we ran all our appliances full tilt every day...THANK YOU EVERYONE for responding...what a great great group!!!!!!

[okmunky]

If you want to know exactly what you are using, this $58 meter will tell you.

Basic kWh Meter 18mm 120 volt, 2-wire, External CT Meter. 50 Amp. Pulse output EKM-15E

I have one but always run a bunch more than the fridge.

[Ramblin]

Originally Posted by mrcandml

As of Dec 2011 the cost of one kw hour is 12cents...what would the ballpark figure per month be if we ran all our appliances full tilt every day...THANK YOU EVERYONE for responding...what a great great group!!!!!!

This is a tough question.

A kw is 1000 watts, so if you have a 1500W space heater, it consumes 1.5kw. If you run that space heater for 1 hour, you will consume 1.5kwh, and so the cost (at 12 cents/kwh) will be 18 cents.

Since the space heater will likely cycle on/off while keeping your coach toasty, it's hard to say how much energy it will use per day because it's not on all the time.

Other appliances similar. Your fridge and A/C unit(s) will cycle on/off during the day depending on ambient temperature, how often you open the door, etc.

So, even if you know the wattages of every appliance, its tough to estimate with any accuracy how much you will consume per day.

That's why you need to buy a Kill-a-Watt or similar device, and record the energy usage of your WHOLE camper over a period of time. Only then can you come to a reasonably accurate estimate of your power consumption.

[Ramblin]

Originally Posted by okmunky

If you want to know exactly what you are using, this $58 meter will tell you.

Basic kWh Meter 18mm 120 volt, 2-wire, External CT Meter. 50 Amp. Pulse output EKM-15E

I have one but always run a bunch more than the fridge.

Hey that's nice! And for an extra $20, you can get an optional pulse counter display to remotely display usage in the coach.

Just ordered one!