10-20-2016, 02:42 PM
Update: (Success)
I found new meters but they were a different size from the existing meters (Slightly smaller). Ammeter Voltmeter These are high quality meters and are made to go in high end yachts. I have had good luck with Blue Sea Systems products.
The ammeter comes with its own CT so there is no problem figuring out the windings. I suspect the reason the old ammeter quit was a problem with the CT.
Since I was at Newell, I asked about modifying the panel which holds the meters. They had the original CAD templates and were able to cut a new panel with modified holes on their CNC machine in about 20 minutes. (Amazing! Go Team Newell!) Newell will hold onto the template so if you have a similar coach and have a 5.5 x 17.5 (ish) sized meter panel, you might be able to talk them into making you a panel. Talk to one of the service advisors for details.
Now I have working meters again...and retained the factory look. I included one picture of the label on one of the old Volt meters. It clearly says it is a DC meter. Go figure.
What I found was that the volt meters are fed with 120V and the ammeters used Current transformers. The wiring to the new meters was the same as the old meters. (The new meters come with backlights, however I did not see any purpose in that, so I did not connect).
ps. bonus Roro picture.
NOTE: We found that the heavy gauge wires in the breaker panel had been spliced using big crimp on type wire nuts. Two of the four connectors came off with no effort. They had not been crimped properly. So...if you find yourself in your breaker panel look closely at any splices for signs of arcing and heat. Mine had not heated up, but were certainly an issue.
I found new meters but they were a different size from the existing meters (Slightly smaller). Ammeter Voltmeter These are high quality meters and are made to go in high end yachts. I have had good luck with Blue Sea Systems products.
The ammeter comes with its own CT so there is no problem figuring out the windings. I suspect the reason the old ammeter quit was a problem with the CT.
Since I was at Newell, I asked about modifying the panel which holds the meters. They had the original CAD templates and were able to cut a new panel with modified holes on their CNC machine in about 20 minutes. (Amazing! Go Team Newell!) Newell will hold onto the template so if you have a similar coach and have a 5.5 x 17.5 (ish) sized meter panel, you might be able to talk them into making you a panel. Talk to one of the service advisors for details.
Now I have working meters again...and retained the factory look. I included one picture of the label on one of the old Volt meters. It clearly says it is a DC meter. Go figure.
What I found was that the volt meters are fed with 120V and the ammeters used Current transformers. The wiring to the new meters was the same as the old meters. (The new meters come with backlights, however I did not see any purpose in that, so I did not connect).
ps. bonus Roro picture.
NOTE: We found that the heavy gauge wires in the breaker panel had been spliced using big crimp on type wire nuts. Two of the four connectors came off with no effort. They had not been crimped properly. So...if you find yourself in your breaker panel look closely at any splices for signs of arcing and heat. Mine had not heated up, but were certainly an issue.
Bill Johnson
Birmingham, Alabama