Question Over voltage cut off

[Joe Dutchstar]

Here at a campground one leg of the 50 amp service randomly exceeds 132volts. The surge protector cuts power.
Never thought that you needed to protect against over voltage service. Always worried about low voltage and spikes.
This mornings readings not over voltage yet.

 

[Neal]

Yep, seen it a few times. Campground blamed it on the power company yadda yadda.

 

[Richpatty]

You don’t have an autoformer plugged in, do you? That adds 2% even when not boosting…so that will it raise it. I have had times when I have to take my autoformer out of the loops to lower the volts.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

I’ll find a way to crawl underneath and disconnect it.
Also, called Autoformer, spoke with Ian.
They are going to replace unit. Just have to be somewhere long enough to accept delivery.
Swap should be quick.

Looks like this Autoformer should only be used when you get low voltage errors, not permanent hookup.

Live and learn….

 

[Neal]

Looks like this Autoformer should only be used when you get low voltage errors, not permanent hookup

I disagree. Mine has been in use for years. As I stated before, when a brown out occurs it's too late.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

To your point, maybe a defective unit. If I can take delivery at the International I’ll try the new unit on the way home. Line 2 seems to be the issue.
Having power cut out multiple times a day is a real PIA. And hard on equipment,
We’ll see…

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

No Autoformer vs Autoformer

 

[Richpatty]

I had a similar issue… where I felt like the Autoformer was boosting when it shouldn’t. They agreed to swap it as well, but since I had it for several years, I was going to eat the shipping. So I never sent it in and tend to plug it in when voltage is lower than 115 or so.

But then, we have not been traveling much and have only been to the same 2-3 campgrounds for the past 3 years, so I have not been that concerned about it…

 

[Kevin D Pem]

OK Joe! I have been skipping over autoformer posts, but your other post on this issue drew my attention!

In my not even close to humble opinion I can give you an answer!

Your house electrical system is not close enough to being balanced to avoid problems with the transformer.

If you want to fix it you need to have your house loads balanced. This will likely require a professional!

The autoformer is just not robust enough for the imbalance it is trying to deal with.

 

[Richpatty]

The Autoformer is not designed to balance loads… but to boost low voltage when detected.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

If that was for me, I agree fully!

However experience tells me ohms law is more important than a few extra turns on a transformer (autoformer).

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Well as I adjust loads by selectively using utilities all the morning issues have been resolved.
Turned off front ac, use only one element on Oasis, using mid and rear ac.
Amp draw has returned to normal and voltage has stabilized.

 

[Neal]

If you want to save the 22A for OASIS turn AC I/II OFF and use Burner. It needs to keep diesel moving so it should be used frequently anyways. But it's the best way to find amps.

 

[Richpatty]

Neal is right....and I sometimes think of this too.

I know I have run into issues on one of my 50Amp legs at dinner time if I am running the microwave, induction stove, a small toaster oven, Oasis electric (one of the elements) and an AC. They seem to be all on one leg... I have thought of moving something to the other leg (within the breaker box) to help with the issue.

 

[team bradfield]

If you want to save the 22A for OASIS turn AC I/II OFF and use Burner. It needs to keep diesel moving so it should be used frequently anyways. But it's the best way to find amps.

I've always use the Burner, much more efficient with 2 long haired women on board, long showers....nuff said