about perfect for a 30 amp RV!

For those of you who want it!

https://catalog.nfpa.org/NFPA-70-National-Electrical-Code-NEC-Softbound-P1194.aspx?order_src=A534&gclid=CjwKCAjw1dzkBRBWEiwAROVDLK33Xlq-m4KEdEBbq5MBXKm4dXf1tUdhpliqO2a3l2GLBZea_o529xoCr8EQAvD_BwE

Ralph Cramden wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
In the 2020 National Electrical Code prohibiting autoformers in RV parks is being proposed under the premise that they actually lower voltage for all others users on that power loop. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to speak.

And if adopted how do they propose to enforce it? Will the Autoformer Police be onsite at check in to root through your rig looking for them or will you have someone going site to site on a rotating basis checking with a meter?

That sounds like more hype from a certain website I am familiar with where autoformers have been one of the owners ( a self proclaimed electrical expert) pet peeves for years that is being amplified by posts on RV boards.

I am sure it won't be rigorously enforced, unless there is significant damage to someone's unit and they sue the park for allowing such devices claiming the park was in violation of the NEC. Enforcement will be at the park level. Probably by giving a copy of the relevant section of code to individuals using those devices while requesting they remove them from the pedestal. We have spent a whole lot of money on our electrical systems and our power is rock solid until and unless there is a transmission issue. We have much bigger fish to fry than worrying about people and their autoformers. So to us, it isn't an issue one way or the other. Other parks may see and handle the issue differently.
As for it being a made up issue created a park owner, it isn't. You can look up the proposed NEC changes for yourself. The NEC isn't some proxy for irate park owners. It carries the weight of law across the country since every jurisdiction I know of requires compliance to the NEC.

I guess that this discussion thread points out a disadvantage of staying in hookup campsites.

We drycamp a lot in as much as possible campgrounds with good spacing between the sites and often when it's hot - so we can just use the generator to provide full power at full voltage to our RV. ;)

pauldub wrote:
Hint: 30 amp breakers will pass more than 30 amps.

My Franks unit has a 35 amp thermal breaker that trips before the RV/pedestal 30a breakers.

Hi Lynnmor,

What I can tell you for certain, is that even the momentary drop in voltage when starting the Dometic 13500 btu air conditioner was enough to cause the Sola Basic to boost the voltage. It happened fast enough that the motor on the AC had not yet reached full speed. Perhaps about 1/5th of a second (or less?) before boost?

This observation was when plugged into a 50 amp shore power supply where I was the only user, with 50 feet of #10 wire. Wiring was:

Shore power-->50 feet-->autoformer-->RV.

Except that plug in devices are exempt from following code. My Sola Basic plugs in.

westernrvparkowner wrote:
In the 2020 National Electrical Code prohibiting autoformers in RV parks is being proposed under the premise that they actually lower voltage for all others users on that power loop. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to speak.

Hi,

But not for very long. Besides I clamp my demand at 24 amps in that situation, so the Sola Basic won't ever draw more than 30 amps.

pauldub wrote:
Hint: 30 amp breakers will pass more than 30 amps.

Hint: 30 amp breakers will pass more than 30 amps.

Lynnmor wrote:
How can one get 3600 watts of 120 volt power thru a 30 amp breaker operating at 100 volts?

Obviously you can't! 3000 watts is it at 100 volts. The autoformer will increase the voltage within certain limits, but can not draw more than the 30 amp breaker will alow. Up until the 30 amps it can boost the voltage.

There are other limits as well. Is all that it does is use relays to change taps on an autotransformer at defined input voltages. I don't know how many steps it has, have not read the spec sheet, I think only one or two.

LScamper wrote:
Lynnmor wrote "Those two words mean exactly the same thing. A transformer does not have the ability to automatically correct voltage."

I wrote "Most of you are thinking of a so-called autoformer that automatically changes output voltage as the input voltage changes."

I said so-called because on the forum most think of a autoformer as a Hughes or Frank's autoformer.

From Hughes:
Unlike a boost transformer, the ‘sense circuit’ in the Autoformer will adjust the output based on the load demand.

Hughes Autoformer

So I went to your link and found incorrect information right there. For example: How can one get 3600 watts of 120 volt power thru a 30 amp breaker operating at 100 volts?

From the website:

Hughes Autoformers are designed to increase voltage to your RV and help eliminate low voltage damage to your appliances. Unlike a boost transformer, the ‘sense circuit’ in the Autoformer will adjust the output based on the load demand. For this reason you can run additional appliances on a 30-amp input. For example, a coffee pot and microwave each draw 1200 watts. Add wattage for the converter and/or a refrigerator – about 800 additional watts – and now you have 3200 watt demand. If you are only getting 100 volts from the supply, the maximum wattage would be 3000 watts. In this case, the Hughes Autoformer will boost voltage to give you 3600 watts to your RV!