30 amp variac instead of an autoformer?
Hi, I've been looking for a 30 amp autoformer for some time. I wonder if this item would "fill the bill". 30 amp variac $169 Here is the company listing: variable ac transformer
Forum Discussion
pianotuna wrote:
Gde,
Nice points. The campground I end up at in hot weather is old. Their 30 service drops like a stone in hot weather to the point of sometimes blowing the breaker with *only* the air conditioner on drawing 1900 watts. The voltage hovers at 105 which is way below my comfort zone of 108. That number is if I turn off all power to everything except the air. I.e. fridge on propane, water heater off, and battery charging off.
I was hoping the Magnum load support would keep the voltage up--but it doesn't work that way. I did not try dialing down the input amperage which I could attempt, because my old flooded batteries were on death's door.
Ideally I'd love to have an autoformer with six steps of boost and six steps of buck. I know those are available in Mexico--but that's a long round trip for me in the RV.
What you are looking for is known as a "line conditioner" with "AVR" (Automatic Voltage Regulation).
The biggest one I can find is a Tripplite LC2400 which is a 2400W conditioner/AVR.. Unfortunately that is only 20A..
But it only costs $190 on Amazon right now..
SEE HERE
" 2400W 120V Power Conditioner with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), AC Surge Protection, 6 Outlets
Maintains usable 120V nominal output to sensitive electronics during severe brownouts and overvoltages. Prevents surges and spikes from damaging circuitry. Filters out potentially disruptive line noise.
Ideal for computers, routers, modems and home theater components
Corrects under- and overvoltages in 89V–147V range
Protects against spikes with 1440 joules of surge suppression
Monitors power status with front-panel diagnostic LEDs
Features 6 outlets: 4 NEMA 5-15R and 2 NEMA 5-20R"
Keep in mind, even though a AVR can "boost" the voltage on the output, it doesn't come "free".. It does this at the expense of a HIGHER INPUT CURRENT DRAW.
That 20A AVR will draw more than 20A on the input side with a full load on the output under "boost" conditions.. So even a 30A version would run into the very same limitation and it would be possible your A/C would trip the campground breaker instead of your RV breaker..
