Joe Hogan
RVF Supporter
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2019
- Messages
- 3,432
- Location
- Florida
- RV Year
- 2024
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- Dutch Star 4311
- RV Length
- 43
- Chassis
- Spartan
- Engine
- Cummins
- TOW/TOAD
- 2018 Ford Flex
- Fulltimer
- No
There seems to be a basic misunderstanding on what exactly an Autoformer is and what it does. Some Parks have "Outlawed" Autoformers as they believe somehow you, as a patron, are taking more than they are allocating to your Camping spot?
Honestly the position of the Park is misguided and based on misunderstanding of what exactly an Autoformer does.
I'll start with an excerpt for the Hughes website. These are their words:
"The Autoformer DOES NOT take power from the park.
It does not affect the park or input voltage, or make electricity."
This makes logical sense to me. Also, you are limited to the Shore power circuit breaker, 50 or 30 amp depending on your hook up.
Lets get into why you install an Autoformer in general. Again from Hughes
"Autoformers are used in industries to stabilize voltage and lower the operating cost of equipment."
How do they work:
"The Autoformer has 5 windings: 2 primary and 3 secondary. All models have surge and spike protection. When the unit is in Automatic and the park or input voltage is 116 volts or below, the output is 10% over the input. When the input is over 118 volts, the output is 2% over the input."
Any item in the RV that uses an electric motor to operate, IE A/C, Pumps, etc., are sensitive to voltage sags. While the motor may continue to operate, it ends up limiting the useful life of the motor as low voltage will overheat the motor.
Again from Hughes:
"An Autoformer running at full output (50amps) will use 1 amp, but will cause appliances to cycle more often and run cooler. This will use less total power from the park."
Hughes website How Does it Work? - Hughes Autoformers
Honestly the position of the Park is misguided and based on misunderstanding of what exactly an Autoformer does.
I'll start with an excerpt for the Hughes website. These are their words:
"The Autoformer DOES NOT take power from the park.
It does not affect the park or input voltage, or make electricity."
This makes logical sense to me. Also, you are limited to the Shore power circuit breaker, 50 or 30 amp depending on your hook up.
Lets get into why you install an Autoformer in general. Again from Hughes
"Autoformers are used in industries to stabilize voltage and lower the operating cost of equipment."
How do they work:
"The Autoformer has 5 windings: 2 primary and 3 secondary. All models have surge and spike protection. When the unit is in Automatic and the park or input voltage is 116 volts or below, the output is 10% over the input. When the input is over 118 volts, the output is 2% over the input."
Any item in the RV that uses an electric motor to operate, IE A/C, Pumps, etc., are sensitive to voltage sags. While the motor may continue to operate, it ends up limiting the useful life of the motor as low voltage will overheat the motor.
Again from Hughes:
"An Autoformer running at full output (50amps) will use 1 amp, but will cause appliances to cycle more often and run cooler. This will use less total power from the park."
Hughes website How Does it Work? - Hughes Autoformers
