Community Forums

Bob Egan · 04-14-2011, 06:01 PM

In my prior motorhome (Winnebago) there was a convenient meter that displayed the combined number of amps being drawn by hairdryers, ACs, etc. It was blank when we were plugged into 50 Amp service but had a readout when we were plugged into 30 AMP service. Obviously, when plugged into 30 AMP it was very valuable to know how many Amps we were drawing so we wouldn't trip the fuse. Is there a readout anywhere in the 2011 Phaeton which displays the number of amps being drawn? It's difficult for me to think that there is not such a necessity and that it's a matter of me guessing how much power I'm drawing! Thanks for any insight.

Cruzer · 04-15-2011, 03:32 PM

No there isn't. However, you should install a good surge protector in any RV to protect against surges and low voltage. The Progressive Industries EMS HW50C (check out RVupgrades.com) is an excellent choice. You can mount the remote display inside the coach. That display will show you how many amps are being pulled on each leg, as well as voltage and frequency. That way you'll get the best power protection as well as your power consumption information all in one shot.

Bob Egan · 04-15-2011, 08:33 PM

Thanks, Cruzer...I had a whole house surge protector in my past coach and had one (Surge Guard 50AMP) put in my new coach. I certainly agree with you that it's very close to a necessity. I think there are some coachs that come with an already built in surge guard but I'm real surprised that Tiffin doesn't put in an Amp meter...it's so convenient to know, when you're on 30 Amp how many amps you're drawing...otherwise it's all guesswork. Not very thoughtful of Tiffin.
I'm looking into the "cheater" which allows one to plug, simultaneously, into 30 amp and 20 amp and therefore have 50 amp input into the coach. That potentially will solve the problem.

Cheater Box

Cruzer · 04-15-2011, 08:59 PM

The Winny system was part of an Intellitec energy management system that shed loads when on 30 amp shore power but wouldn't display 50 amp power on the meter due to it's single current loop transformer on the neutral wire.

Tiffin does have an EMS system but it's on the Bus and Zephyr. It's built by Precision Circuits, Inc and has dual transformers so it displays power info at all times. The PCI system is light years ahead of the Intellitec system and even interfaces with a Magnum inverter to boost power first and only resorting to shedding circuits if the need continues.

openpro · 04-25-2011, 07:58 PM

Began, I don't think the cheater box will solve your problem because instead of 2 50 amp legs it will only give you one leg at 30 amps and the second leg at only 20 amps. Let's see what others say about this.

Bob Egan · 04-26-2011, 06:52 PM

Thanks for the input Openpro but as I understand the "cheater", with one leg to the 10 or 15 Amp plug and the other leg to the 30 amp plug there will be at least 45 Amps to the coach which should handle everything I need.
Here's where I purchased the cord: RV Cheater Box - 50 amps from 30 & 20

Tallyrver · 04-26-2011, 07:01 PM

I bought a cheater box last year for 30 amp campgrounds and have only been able to use it once, it will not work on GFI outlets. The one that did work was not GFI .The instructions state for non GFI outlets.

azloafer · 04-26-2011, 07:14 PM

I bought one years ago because we had a 50 amp coach and one of the campgrounds that we frequented only had a 30 and a 20. It didn't work because the campground wiring was on a GFI. I returned it. Joe