monitor 240V

[BruceS]

I wonder if anyone has installed or created a monitor that will warn if external AC power to your caravan/bus/motorhome/boat goes off?
Many of us connect 240V to our rigs day or so before we head off to get the fridge/freezer down to temperature ready for transferring food.
In my case I leave my houseboat for a week or so and wish to leave the fridge on but if for some reason either the RCD or the circuit breaker chucks out there is no way I'll know till I return and smell things going green.
If I could rig up a flashing light in a front window if the external power goes off then my neighbours would see it & either reset the breaker or phone me.
I have a 12V supply onboard so was thinking a relay that sits in the 240V line & triggers the 12V to turn on a light when the power goes off. I figure it'd have to be an electro/magnetic relay as I'd need the NO (normally open) contacts.
I'd prefer a light that comes on rather than goes off. (could even connect to a siren? )
Any ideas?

[2foot6]

Many basic security alarm units provide that very feature you want.They have an internal battery being charged by the 240 v,when the 240v is disconnected a light or a siren can be programmed to operate.If you had a few extra dollars you can send text messages to your mobile or recorded messages to a land line,the options are limitless,technology is wonderful.We used to take TIVO with us on our trips,because once the power is removed it takes about ten minutes to restart,we put a UPS in the motor home,(TIVO circuit)when the power was disconnected a buzzer operated and TIVO kept operating,very handy when changing from genny to inverter. The UPS kept SWMBO very happy,which made my life easier.
....Peter.











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[SteveW]

Our fridge has the AUTO feature that causes the Fridge to fire up the LPG if the 240v cuts off. Maybe you could tap into the 12v wiring that fires up the LPG - even if the LPG is turned off.

Just a thought.

[dapope]

Leave the TV on standby. The little red light goes out when the 240 fails to proceed!

[BruceS]

Thankyou for your ideas folks.
I've requested info from this company to see if they do a 240V one. Price is around right but I'd think the freight would be a killer.
http://www.cannonwater.net/power_failure_alarm.aspx

[Shirley]

Our fridge also kicks onto 12v power if the 240 is turned off or drops out.

[BruceS]

Yes Shirley..... if only mine did!!
On the boat I have a big domestic sized fridge/freezer that can be either 240V or gas but it's all a manual switch over job.
Yes, I could put the fridge on gas when I'm not there but once again I have to be sure there's plenty of gas & that the pilot light stays lit!!
I have occupied boats either side of me & the marina owner has workers going past at times so a visual indicator (or sound) would be the way to go.
It would be easy to leave a light on in the window but seeing it not on might not raise an alarm as much as a flashing light like on an ambulance!!
Be interested to see if the USA mob reply or not.

[SteveW]

Check on ebay for refrigerator temperature switches (normally open), Bruce. There are plenty of them and a simple 12v circuit to run an alarm or flashing light might do the trick.