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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-11-2016, 06:15 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
ccso2213's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Sylacauga, AL
Posts: 209
(Dumb) Electrical testing question

So confession time. I've never used an electrical multimeter. I don't have the funds to spend on an EMS right now, but I want to be safe when I plug up. So my question is can I use a multimeter to test the hookups before I plug in? This is the one I'm looking at. Etekcity MSR-R500 Digital Multimeter, Amp / Ohm / Volt Meter, Multi Tester w/ Diode and Continuity Test, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KHP6EIK..._pK8mxb27RACPR
Is it safe to stick the leads into the 30 and 50 amp plugs? I'd rather not find out the hard way. Lol. I understand this won't protect from low voltage or surges, but it's a start, right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2016 Jayflight 29 bhds
2015 Ford F-350 SRW
ccso2213 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2016, 06:49 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
dalebra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Waconia, MN
Posts: 447
IMHO Electricity and using a multimeter is only as safe as the educated individual doing the measurement.

The probes on the meter you have selected are probably not going to be long enough to make contact of the terminal slot of the 30 or 50 amp receptacle.
The use of a meter to do what you want will only check the voltage at that moment. Whereas an EMS monitors your power all the time.
__________________
2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CC Duramax
2016 Eagle 323LKTS Java
Pull Rite SuperGlide #4100 Hitch w/Mor-Ryde Pin Box
dalebra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2016, 06:50 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Tampa
Posts: 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccso2213 View Post
So confession time. I've never used an electrical multimeter. I don't have the funds to spend on an EMS right now, but I want to be safe when I plug up. So my question is can I use a multimeter to test the hookups before I plug in? This is the one I'm looking at. Etekcity MSR-R500 Digital Multimeter, Amp / Ohm / Volt Meter, Multi Tester w/ Diode and Continuity Test, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KHP6EIK..._pK8mxb27RACPR
Is it safe to stick the leads into the 30 and 50 amp plugs? I'd rather not find out the hard way. Lol. I understand this won't protect from low voltage or surges, but it's a start, right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would recommend that you start with one of these along with the appropriate adapters to connect to a 30amp plug.

http://www.amazon.com/Amprobe-ST-101B-Socket-Tester/dp/B008E07IEO/


50amp is a little trickier.
__________________
16 Jay Flight 28BHBE Elite 2nd AC
15 Ford F-350 SRW CC 4x4 PSD
Logan0171 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2016, 06:55 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
ccso2213's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Sylacauga, AL
Posts: 209
Dalebra- thank you for the response. I guess my main concern is reversed polarity, bad ground, etc. that can be checked. I know I ultimately need an EMS, but it just isn't in the budget right now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2016 Jayflight 29 bhds
2015 Ford F-350 SRW
ccso2213 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2016, 06:59 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
ccso2213's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Sylacauga, AL
Posts: 209
Logan- I have 30 amp adapter, but just being honest, if 50 amp is there, I'll use it. It won't take me long to learn how to use this thing. I'm just a little skittish sticking metal objects into high voltage outlets. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2016 Jayflight 29 bhds
2015 Ford F-350 SRW
ccso2213 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2016, 07:28 PM   #6
BCK
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 455
X2 on yhe plug tester. With your adapters you can test right up to the 50a receptacle.

They are inexpensive quick and safe. The indicator lights tell you at a glance if there is reverse polarity, open ground, etc.
BCK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2016, 09:20 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Jagiven's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,740
Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan0171 View Post
I would recommend that you start with one of these along with the appropriate adapters to connect to a 30amp plug.
Robot Check

50amp is a little trickier.
I use one of these testers. I also have a cheep Sperry multimeter. The one I have I paid about $30 for it. You do not have to move the leads. Turn the dial for AC or DC voltage, amperage, or ohms. Very easy to use. I bought it from Menards. I have had a number of multimeters over the years and like this one the best.
__________________

2012 Jayco X23B
2020 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank.
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (sold)
Equal-I-zer 4-Point Sway Control
Jagiven 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 Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.