OT: about ameren meter readers

[frenchie]

just caught meter man checking meters and instead of going in yard he looked over fence ask him if he got correct reading and for once they did. But he said ameren is trying to get rid of meter readers and switch to some type of automated type service or something anybody here of this and how does it work something that sends info back to ameren.

 

[Spiffyguy]

I think Laclede gas did that in my area. Not sure how it works.

 

[kipher]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9908721#post9908721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spiffyguy
I think Laclede gas did that in my area. Not sure how it works.

This is true. They installed on at the appartment I used to live in, about a year or more ago. Although, I never went to look at it. My meter was right next to someones front door. I didn't want them thinking I was snooping around.

 

[DrBDC]

Over here they haven't had to send meter readers for a few years. In 2001 they had already done my house. There is a little computer that sends the info back to Ameren. I think it sends it through phone lines but I'm not positive on that.

Here's the problem. Ameren can sense if there is 0 electrical draw and the computer will automatically cut off power. So those of you thinking of changing your service panel to a larger service panel have an obstacle. When you pull the meter to change the panel, it goes to 0 draw and they will not turn it back on until an inspection/permit. There is a trick to hook up a trickle charge though using a simple radio etc. That way it never goes to 0. Not sure what would happen if they were in the middle of getting a reading when you do that though. And I don't recommend/endorse going outside of regulated permits, etc.

 

[rams]

Re: OT: about ameren meter readers

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9908602#post9908602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d.french
just caught meter man checking meters and instead of going in yard he looked over fence ask him if he got correct reading and for once they did. But he said ameren is trying to get rid of meter readers and switch to some type of automated type service or something anybody here of this and how does it work something that sends info back to ameren.

http://www.cellnet.com/

I run into these guys from time to time in the field.

 

[rams]

forgot to add that Ameren has been using it over on the MO side for around 10 years

 

[sirreal63]

I have been a pain to laclede over the automated sensor...I won't let them install it. They told me 2 years ago they did not have a key to read the meters anymore. This building is about 100 years old...I asked them when they figure they lost the key since the gas man had no trouble getting in to hook my service...they would not tell me. I asked them how they read the meters for the past 80+ years and how they got in the month before to spike the deadbeats meter who lived under me. They had nothing to say. I told them when they found the key to let me know, I would make sure I was around to watch them install the sensor but no way was I letting them in my basement until they found my lost key which is a master key or I could have the whole building re-keyed at their expense. They don't like me very much over there.