Feedback on campground power metering
There are lots of pros and cons about metering power at campgrounds…
Everyone…
I’ve been getting lots of feedback from the Town Hall live stream last Thursday about campground metering.
Watch a rerun of the 60 minute Town Hall webcast HERE
Below is a sample of feedback from one on the moderators on my Facebook group. Please read and leave your comments below.
My thoughts after listening to Mike's presentation on metering electricity in campgrounds…
Any system has to protect the RV'er with full control over their own pedestal and locking out of any other user of electricity. A meter that clearly shows starting and ending readings and a clearly posted kw/hr rate.
Any system has to protect the campground owner's profits, preventing the siphoning of electricity from unused sites, etc.
It would only be fair for any system to charge major users of electricity and discount minimal users.
Any system has to be flexible to allow RV'ers to use electricity as they need. Pedestals with lockouts that only allow one outlet to be used will not work...EV's need to be charged, people use 20 amp outlets, etc.
So my thoughts about how to implement:
1. A site cost that would be enough to cover maximum electricity usage.
2. A meter that the RV'er can see the starting reading and the checkout reading and lock them in at checkout.
3. A clearly posted kilowatt/hr rate
4. A significant discount for using minimal electricity...a sliding scale based on usage...issued upon checkout.
5. A lockout mechanism so that the RV'er is protected from others “siphoning” electricity, etc. but allowing the RV'er use of the extra outlets. A locking cover that only the campground owner or the site owner can unlock.
Bluetooth could be used for the locking mechanisms, or keypads, and emails, or text messages, generated to "lock in" check in meter readings and check out meter readings.
No question that this complicates the use of a campground but I do not want to pay for the guy running his third air conditioner nor the people charging their EV.
Hey Richard,
Thanks for your feedback… Mike
If move in direction of locked pedestals, wonder if cost effective for campground when installing this system to allow site user to checkin being locked out and selecting NO ELECTRIC rate and..... if want electric later during stay to locked. Maybe model like with internet that allows you to sign up by day plans. Maybe some system where pedestal wifi lock would automatically lock when selected unlock option (1, 2 3 days etc) expires. On the other side, I might not be a fan of wifi locking based on all the creative hacking.
I am probably missing out on becoming a billionaire. But here it goes. Easy solution.
There is a small touch screen interface. Credit card reader. Cash you have to talk to the owner at camp store. Not to dissimilar to a gas pump. Instead of pumping gas. You using electric.
Prepay a certain amount or scan your card when you arrive. When you leave you check out.
The meter reading would be displayed when you arrive and leave. Just like a gas pump. The amount per KWH is posted at the pedestal.
Nothing new just reusing already familiar technology in a campground.
Be careful of the can of worms. Cause you might get the same for water and waste.