LarryJM wrote:
You seem to be describing a regional type power issue which is something that is EXTEMELY RARE in your "SOUTHERN" neighbor. It seems both you and Piano who live "UP NORTH" have the issues and those I have read about here in the lower 48 generally are at the CG level where they have put too many sites on a limited ckt that during certain high demand situations can cause the low power issue.
Sorry, but it seems obvious that the issues you and those up North are describing are not that much of an issue down here. I'm not saying that they never happen, but they are again EXTREMELY RARE AFAIK.Larry
Sorry, but you don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you are choosing only premium CGs and casinos or need to get around more? Come out west and travel around and you WILL find low voltage. Not always and not always low enough to cause concern but occasionally to a defcon red alert level (like say 110) or to a level that you should either shut down (if your EMS hasn't) or you should pull out your autoformer. Has ZERO to do with the region you are in. Has EVERYTHING to do with the edition of the NEC under which a CG/RV park was built (except as noted below). Prior to the 2005 edition of the NEC, only 5% of the pedestals had to be 50 amps and then it was changed to 20%. The 2017 edition now requires 40% to be 50 amps and has also raised the demand load per 50 amp pedestal (for calculation purposes). There are a LOT of 50 amp RVs nowadays with their multiple AC units and high demand appliances (many using 30amp adapters) that drive the load up drastically and overtax the system in older CGs. It's never a CGs fault for cheap-ing out on the wiring or ignoring code requirements as I've seen some claim.
Thing is, not many new CGs get built and many out there date back decades. Some CGs may have originally constructed above min. code requirements like gov't ones and casinos and also some have rebuilt & upgraded to "modern" code requirements and technology but most that I've seen are to min. code. Any 50 amp pedestal is likely to give you better voltage. If want you to use a 30 amp adapter in one, finding a 50 amp pedestal can be next to impossible and often you'll see full-timers in their big MHs in them because they ask around when someone is going to leave, then snag it. Weekenders and over-nighters can be SOL.
A major contributing factor to low voltage in older CGs is that they have panels spread around a property and then have individual 30 amp wiring to sites. Overall wiring runs can be long and have only 30 amp (#10) wire. Sometimes you can find 2 or 3 sites on a run which can worsen voltage drop. (I'm the guy walking around a CG opening panel doors to see what's in there.) Voltage issues are gonna happen in these CGs. Newer CGs use loop-fed pedestals on up to 200 amp feeders which greatly reduces voltage drop. If in an older CG, choosing a site close to a transformer (the pad mounts you'll see) and panel can help.
An autoformer is definitely a good thing to have. You may not need it often, but you do, you really do. Under low voltage, things like toasters, coffee makers, electric griddles, etc. can take longer to work but the thing to be most concerned about is AC units. While AC units will still run below the min. voltage spec'd by the manufacturer, doing that will cause damaged to motor windings and the damage is cumulative and will lead to premature (and costly) failure. We bought a used one a few seasons for a couple hundred $$ and use it from time to time and glad we have it. The vast majority of RV-ers won't know about voltage and don't monitor it and what you can or should do about it. The most important "tool" we have is a bright read LED voltage display next to the entry door. I think all RVs should come with one.
Below is what an old CG pedestal can look like. This was in a CG of 300+ sites and what they all looked like. They even removed ALL 20 amp receptacles to prevent people from increasing the load. Needless to say, voltage was not good and is when you want an autoformer. Unfortunately, the AHJs cannot force a CG to upgrade or do maintenance repairs (unless a safety hazard). When you book a CG a month or two in advance in the high season and then discover bad pedestals and voltage issues, you can't just leave and drive down the street to another CG. Plugging more load into a 20 amp pedestal can worsen already poor voltage because the NEC required the additional demand be taken into account.
Some CGs are absolutely gorgeous and worth putting up with low voltage. Along with outdated electrical systems, inadequate maintenance (or none) can also add to voltage issues. Local climate can also be a factor like along the Pacific Coast where there is salt in the air and high humidity. Worst CG wiring I've seen was at a CG in OR owned by the local regional district and had #10 romex strung between trees to the sites and outlet boxes/receptacles were dangling in the air and not even secured to the trees (hard to imagine anything could ever be that bad). Another thing to watch for is that voltage can *look* okay when you arrive at a CG but then can drop more when more RVs arrive, the temp. goes up during the day, and/or at mealtimes and also measuring the voltage at a pedestal before you plug in and assuming it's okay can be a mistake because sometimes it doesn't take much load for voltage to drop out of sight. Sometimes you can also be "forced" to run on a "life support only" min. level loads and not run AC unit(s) and appliances. to prevent voltage from dropping.
(Whew...)
