Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Electrical Systems, Charging and Solar Electrical components and wiring, batteries, charging systems, generators and solar topics.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-18-2012, 12:37 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Kansas
Posts: 6
Smile Using excess electricity?

I have a question about the draw of my 2896B when it is plugged in and nothing is turned on. We just bought the unit in October and I plugged it in when we got home. I have noticed the consumption on my electric bill has gone up quite a bit, I do not know for sure it is the Hi-Lo, but I do question it, this has been a mild winter Kansas and I do not know of anything else that would have increased the demand for electricity. Any help would be appreciated, I do not want to get started using the unit and have problems.
__________________

__________________
Howard and Gert Morgan
2001 Dodge 2500 V-10
2896B Bon Voyage
Goessel, Kansas
Howard and Gert Morgan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2012, 01:03 PM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cambridge, Ontario Canada
Posts: 26
Default

I bought one of these:



after my pool pump timer failed, and caused my pool pump to run continusly for 3 weeks without me noticing any made my hydro bill go through the roof.

It cost me $100 bucks for this meter, and it works amazing.

You can input your local hydro rates, and it will estimate what your hydro bill will be at the end of the month for you, even after only a couple days of data, and it gives you real time consumption, updated about every 20 seconds or so.

The best part of this unit, it is has a function that lets you go around at test circuits.

If you ever wonder how much electricity your fridge uses? You unplug the fridge, hit the test button, and plug the fridge back in. The unit will calculate the consumption of the fridge.

You can use the same thing to test the RV.

I figure it was $100 well spent, it made me much more aware of how much things cost to run. I was amazed to see that it cost $0.75 / hour to run my dryer. I now hang dry in my basement as much as I can and only dry socks/underwear, etc..
__________________

morpheus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2012, 01:36 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Kansas
Posts: 6
Default

I will probably just buy an inexpensive current meter and see what it shows, I just thought someone may have had a similar experience. Thanks for the input though.
__________________
Howard and Gert Morgan
2001 Dodge 2500 V-10
2896B Bon Voyage
Goessel, Kansas
Howard and Gert Morgan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2012, 02:04 PM   #4
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

If you are not using the HiLo on a regular basis there is no reason to have it plugged in all of the time. If you are concerned about keeping the battery charged, just plug in for a few hours every week or two. Better yet get a Battery Minder or Battery Tender and hook to the battery, either will keep the battery on a float charge and use very little electric. Actually, you may be doing harm to the battery by keeping the trailer plugged in all of the time. The converter/charger is not really designed for long term battery charging.
__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2012, 03:47 PM   #5
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Kansas
Posts: 6
Default

I have been RVing for several years and have always left them plugged in through the winter and have had good luck with battery life. I do not think the convertor should be affected, if it has a regulator built in, it should be resting except when the battery voltage is low enough to need a charge. Thanks for your input though.
__________________
Howard and Gert Morgan
2001 Dodge 2500 V-10
2896B Bon Voyage
Goessel, Kansas
Howard and Gert Morgan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2012, 04:58 PM   #6
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

It was only a suggestion. As far as power usage goes, the refrigerator and the water heater electric element are the only high usage items outside of the A/C. If you have the master power switch turned off the fridge in the DC mode would be the only thing that could be drawing power other than the converter itself. You could switch off any breakers that are presently on and see if that makes any difference.
__________________

__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:08 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×