Hughes Autoformer works fantastic!

[conocean]

There’s a lot of focus on power surges at rv parks but voltage drops can be just as damaging to our tv, refrig, ac, etc. I recently purchased a Hughes autoformer after evidence of daily voltage drops in my Eagle HT 28.5RSTS. I could hear my table fan motor speeding up & slowing down for no reason. My Keurig coffee machine was taking longer than usual to heat up. My ac’s sounded like they were struggling to cycle on sometimes & they never blew as hard as they were supposed to.

All these issues are now remedied after I installed this unit. I also purchased the cover to keep it protected from moisture & dirt. It’s nice having this piece of mind & would recommend it to any prudent rv owner.

ps. Amazon has the 30 & 50amp units on sale right now!!

[Jopopsy]

I’ve had a Hughes for years; IMHO people are apt to suffer from low voltage way more then a surge. I use a Hughes and a Progressive EMS. Hughes at the post, Progressive at the coach. Belt and suspenders.

[conocean]

I’m all about planning ahead but if a surge triggers your Hughes box then what benefit does the Progressive box yield? Is it just a backup in case the Hughes box fails??

[hoppers4]

Originally Posted by Jopopsy

I’ve had a Hughes for years; IMHO people are apt to suffer from low voltage way more then a surge. I use a Hughes and a Progressive EMS. Hughes at the post, Progressive at the coach. Belt and suspenders.

X2 - Both devices are on my "must have" list. I've also been using them for years. My autoformer fits very nicely in my power cord bay.

[conocean]

Good to hear. What benefit is there from having two surge protectors? I just want to make sure you two are going overboard with precaution which I appreciate very much!

[Jopopsy]

The Autoformer isn’t a EMS. Its a voltage booster first, and a surge suppressor second. The Progressive IS a EMS. Should the park’s voltage fall below what the Autoformer can correct, the EMS will then disconnect my coach. Another benefit, the EMS is also a surge protector; so any surge would need to blow through 2 devices before frying my coach.

[Rustynuts]

We have been to several RV parks that have asked at checkin if we have an autoformer, which we don’t, but they a\were not allowing the use of them in the park.

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

We have been to several RV parks that have asked at checkin if we have an autoformer, which we don’t, but they a\were not allowing the use of them in the park.

Not sure if these could backfeed? Doesn't seem likely there would be that much amperage but these parks must have a reason. The only time I was asked was a KOA close to Zion, and they asked if I had a hughes autoformer. At that time I didn't know what is was.
BTW, the KOA was nice, bit $88 bucks a night, not so much.

[Learjet]

Originally Posted by conocean

There’s a lot of focus on power surges at rv parks but voltage drops can be just as damaging to our tv, refrig, ac, etc. I recently purchased a Hughes autoformer after evidence of daily voltage drops in my Eagle HT 28.5RSTS. I could hear my table fan motor speeding up & slowing down for no reason. My Keurig coffee machine was taking longer than usual to heat up. My ac’s sounded like they were struggling to cycle on sometimes & they never blew as hard as they were supposed to.

All these issues are now remedied after I installed this unit. I also purchased the cover to keep it protected from moisture & dirt. It’s nice having this piece of mind & would recommend it to any prudent rv owner.

ps. Amazon has the 30 & 50amp units on sale right now!!

If you are at a permanent spot...like your picture shows... I would be concerned about a true electrical issue and fix that vs. masking it with the autoformer. You may have a bad connection somewhere.

[conocean]

I agree there could be an issue at the box. The park I’m at won’t be doing electrical upgrades anytime soon.

Sounds like an EMS is a no-brainer, thanks!

[16WhiteColly]

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

We have been to several RV parks that have asked at checkin if we have an autoformer, which we don’t, but they a\were not allowing the use of them in the park.

What is the reasoning for the park to ask this question? What is wrong with a Hughes Autoformer?

[hoppers4]

Originally Posted by 16WhiteColly

What is the reasoning for the park to ask this question? What is wrong with a Hughes Autoformer?

Some park owners have the misconception that autoformer users are over burdening their electrical system by using too much current. The real problem is that these older parks have dated infrastructure that can't handle the load. As a 30 amp autoformer user, I can't draw any more than my allotted 30 amps due to the 30 amp breaker at the post.

The problems I've seen have shown up in the heat when everybody is using their ACs and the park wiring can't handle the load.

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by hoppers4

Some park owners have the misconception that autoformer users are over burdening their electrical system by using too much current. The real problem is that these older parks have dated infrastructure that can't handle the load. As a 30 amp autoformer user, I can't draw any more than my allotted 30 amps due to the 30 amp breaker at the post.

The problems I've seen have shown up in the heat when everybody is using their ACs and the park wiring can't handle the load.

Thanks for the explanation. I've only been asked once about the Autoformer, and the person at the campground desk wasn't sure why the campground was asking this.

[conocean]

Originally Posted by hoppers4

The problems I've seen have shown up in the heat when everybody is using their ACs and the park wiring can't handle the load.

Bingo. The summers are brutal down here!

[hoppers4]

Originally Posted by conocean

Bingo. The summers are brutal down here!

Before I had my autoformer I've seen my voltage drop to 108VAC. Very tough on ACs and microwaves. I had to run my genset so as to not damage the AC.

[16WhiteColly]

The lowest I have seen on my voltage drop monitor was 116.

[TaftCoach]

https://hughesautoformers.com/run-yo...arding-nfpa70/

An obviously biased version but I think some useful information if you are a Hughes fan.

Basically the newest recommendation of the National Electrical Safety code recommends RV parks not allowing them.

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

https://hughesautoformers.com/run-yo...arding-nfpa70/

An obviously biased version but I think some useful information if you are a Hughes fan.

Basically the newest recommendation of the National Electrical Safety code recommends RV parks not allowing them.

The KOA in Zion didn't allow them last fall. Really not sure why.

[kirkelli]

Originally Posted by Yooper906

The KOA in Zion didn't allow them last fall. Really not sure why.

Install them at the Converter

[craigav]

NEC codes and guidelines are not necessarily the law and in many cases following the guidelines without adjusting for local conditions results in RV parks to not have enough capacity to support all of the RV's in the park. For a quick example, NEC 551.73(A) states that an RV park with 20 sites only needs to calculate the feeder and service cables at 45% (demand factor). The idea is that not everyone in the Park would be needing 100% of the pedestals capacity at the same time. While the NEC mentions this, many parks never took into account that the demand factor may be inadequate in areas where everyone may be running their A/C's at the same time (or electric heating).

With this in mind, as the true load exceeds the designed for load (again 45% for 20 RV's) then the voltage starts to drop, as it drops the risks for running your A/C increases. Many people will not (and should not) run their A/C with less than ~105v, however the Hughes Autoformer can boost the voltage for you to keep the A/C from being damaged from low park pedestal voltage. Using a Hughes autoformer doesn't help solve the real problem which is that the RV Park was inadequately designed to support a full park of RV's all running their A/C's at the same time (especially with RV's that have multiple A/C units).

I like my Hughes Autoformer out of sight out of mind. lol ~CA