1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

kWh meter

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by MNdriver, Jul 25, 2017.

Page 1 of 2
  1. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    The good news: yesterday I had a dedicated circuit put in to my stall in my shared condo garage - wahoo!

    The bad news: it turns out that the '120/240' part of the EKM '120/240 kWh meter' I had bought to document my electricity usage does NOT mean that it can be used with 120 or 240; turns out it can be used with 240 only and I installed 120. ☹️

    My electrician ordered a replacement meter for me. In the meantime, if anyone wants one, i have a new kWh meter for sale cheap!
     
    #1 MNdriver, Jul 25, 2017
    'LectroFuel, bwilson4web, Prius from Dad and 2 others like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,859
    49,449
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you can't return it?
     
    #2 bisco, Jul 25, 2017
  3. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I haven't tried. Maybe I should. Thought I'd ask around to other interested parties first.
     
    #3 MNdriver, Jul 25, 2017
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,317
    10,167
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Part number? I'd like to read up on it. The refurbished service meters I bought from an RV supply shop (Hialeah Meter Co.) came configured for 240V, but could easily be changed to 120V.
    If it was advertised for both voltages, but cannot actually do one of them, then consumer protection laws pretty much force them to accept a return.
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Jul 25, 2017
    Chazz8, matt18761 and priuscatprimeguy like this.
  5. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I wouldn't say it was advertised for both voltages, it's just called "120/240 Volt Pass-Through kWh Meter" on the website. I assumed that meant you could use it with either. Anyway, this is the one:

    Basic kWh Meter 100A 120/240-volt, 3-wire, 60Hz EKM-25IDS

    Somebody more electrically knowledgeable than myself probably wouldn't have made the same mistake.
     
    #5 MNdriver, Jul 25, 2017
    priuscatprimeguy likes this.
  6. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
    2,945
    2,736
    0
    Location:
    OK
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm no electrician nor have I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express but it sure looks compatible for 120v to me. If it's not, I would have made the same mistake.
     
    #6 Mark57, Jul 25, 2017
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,317
    10,167
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The webpage of the product he linked clearly shows otherwise:

    "Standard North American household current. Most commonly a white neutral, a black hot and a red hot wire, 200V to 252V between the hots, 110V to 126V either hot to neutral. This meter will not work on a 120 volt 2 wire system, for this you will need our EKM-15IDS or EKM-15E meter." [emphasis added]

    But yes, top line labeling should have been more clear to not snag the non-experts.
     
    #7 fuzzy1, Jul 25, 2017
    matt18761, jerrymildred and priuscatprimeguy like this.
  8. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    2,730
    2,640
    0
    Location:
    Farmington Hills, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced

    "This meter will not work on a 120 volt 2 wire system, for this you will need our EKM-15IDS or EKM-15E meter". as quoted from the website
     
    #8 priuscatprimeguy, Jul 25, 2017
    jerrymildred likes this.
  9. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    yes, I agree the details are in the details. Misleading label but not false advertising.
     
    #9 MNdriver, Jul 25, 2017
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,508
    14,110
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You beat me to it. I was all set to copy & paste the same thing. ;)

    Agree with @fuzzy1; it should not requite digging in to the installation instructions to find out the application information.

    Edit to add:
    If it was me, I'd go with one of these, but I'm a cheapskate:
    Single Phase Watt Hour Meters
     
    #10 jerrymildred, Jul 25, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2017
    fuzzy1 and priuscatprimeguy like this.
  11. drysider

    drysider Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    823
    332
    1
    Location:
    Liberty Lake WA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have to agree that 120/240 vac should mean it reads both 120 and 240 volts. I do not think there was any malice by the seller. The FAQ's are very good and explain in detail how the meter works. Let them know what happened and see if they will swap you a 120 volt model.
     
    #11 drysider, Jul 25, 2017
    priuscatprimeguy likes this.
  12. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    When my electrician discovered my mistake he ordered a replacement - I don't know the manufacturer, but don't think it is an EMS meter. I"ll find out in a couple days when he comes back to install it. In the meantime I'm chomping at the bit to try out my new outlet, but I told the condo I wouldn't start charging until the meter was in place.

    Oh, and I sent an email to EMS to see if they will let me return it. We'll see.
     
    #12 MNdriver, Jul 25, 2017
    priuscatprimeguy likes this.
  13. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    2,730
    2,640
    0
    Location:
    Farmington Hills, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    And @fuzzy1 beat me to it:ROFLMAO::D:LOL:
     
    #13 priuscatprimeguy, Jul 25, 2017
    jerrymildred likes this.
  14. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,317
    10,167
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    That is exactly where I got several, to monitor a minisplit heat pump, a heat pump water heater, and a clothes dryer. And to use and monitor my home PV solar system for the couple weeks from when it was turned on until the electrical inspector could approve it and the utility could plug in their own production meter.

    Some assembly and hardwiring required, so this route is not for those unqualified with electricity.
     
    #14 fuzzy1, Jul 25, 2017
  15. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,396
    15,518
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Check the specifications sheet. It specifically calls out for a different model for 120 VAC.

    Contact the seller and explain the problem. I have no doubt they'll be happy to swap the unit.

    GOOD LUCK!
    Bob Wilson
     
    #15 bwilson4web, Jul 25, 2017
    drysider likes this.
  16. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Yes, thanks, I sent an email. I think they'll take it back. I'll only be out the shipping costs. And some time and face lost!
     
    #16 MNdriver, Jul 25, 2017
  17. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2011
    936
    1,097
    0
    Location:
    Duluth, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Actually the unit does work with 120, but only in 3-wire installations, not 2-wire. It does say 3-wire in the main description. I'm not sure what else the seller could have done, they described it accurately in the heading, then knowing that not everyone will notice the distinction they spell out which applications that it does and does not work for in the product details. But yes an easy mistake to make if not watching for it.
     
    #17 Since2002, Jul 26, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2017
  18. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,508
    14,110
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    We used them a lot at our radio station in Honduras.
     
    #18 jerrymildred, Jul 26, 2017
    fuzzy1 likes this.
  19. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,317
    10,167
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It also says: "200V to 252V between the hots, "

    I.e. from that wording, it must have both sides of the 240V split phase. It is not rated to work if one half of that is missing.
     
    #19 fuzzy1, Jul 26, 2017
  20. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    If I ever want to buy another electrical device online I'm coming back to you guys to approve the purchase first!

    The meter has been put into the mail back to the company.
     
    #20 MNdriver, Jul 26, 2017
    jerrymildred and Prius from Dad like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2