complaints when using a hughes autoformer

dockmasterdave wrote:
I am looking at a used hughes autoformer.

Just make sure that as a used unit it does work properly. I once bought a TRC version online from a private party but as soon as it arrived and I got it on my workbench it was instantly obvious it was blown. The seller claimed to be totally surprised but I got lucky as he rebated my purchase price once he saw pics of the inside of the unit.

2oldman From what I read on other posts on this forum, the surge protection in the Hughes is identical to the PI surge protector.
I would just be boosting the voltage at parks with borderline power.
I don't want to have to replace my a/c and electronics. Living in south FL, camping in summer is a must, everything is full up in winter. **** sure, every rig in the park will be running it's a/c at or near it's capacity.

Old Biscuit I only have the PI surge protector, not EMS. Yes, I would like to buy one but can't afford everything at once.
So my surge protector won't be correcting before the hughes, just protecting it.
This deal just showed up for a good condition Hughes 30 amp for $120.
Possibly too good to pass up. I can still buy the good PI ems later and put it inline after the Hughes as you suggest.

Yup. Park might be upset at you using a transformer but never upset over taking your money and providing substandard volts.

I thought the autoformers were also surge protection.

To do you any good you should have Autoformer BEFORE the Surge protector

IF surge protector is first in line then it will continue to cut power on low voltages before autoformer can boost it

Otherwise WHY have the autoformer?

And YES.......
During our travels have been in some CGs that did not allow the use of an autoformer.
Their place....their rules

AC current is neat, you can trade voltage for current and vice versa, using simple magnetic coils.

Boosting 100 volts to 120 volts, with wattage remaining fixed (same load), means your transformer will drawing more amps over an already overloaded distribution system to make up the volts.

I can see a park with a sub-standard system being upset about blowing a main transformer or damaging lines if everyone were running their own transformer.

It will make the problem worse for others on the system that don't have their own transformer. Your transformer will only cause the voltage to drop even lower for others.

Given today's society, the me-first thinking that's popular, lowering someone else's voltage is not my problem, others can buy a transformer too of course.

Report this park to the County building inspector, and the state building inspector. Low voltage is a safety issue.

I have used mine for over 15 yrs all over the USA with no problems. I useualy have it chained to the elect post as it is portably