autoformers for dummies (me)

Triker33 wrote:
A autoformer won't boost you from 110 to 120V most don't have that much boost. If you have a surge protector with the low & high cutoff you won't be running your roof AC on lower power then it can handle.

LarryJM wrote:
That's my take on it also and why I think in the vast majority of cases an autoformer is a waste of $$$ since if it is really needed then IMO I would be looking for a different CG that has the proper facilities that I'm paying for. Another way I look at it is that it's there problem and why should I pay to fix their issue.

In reading this thread it seems many if not most believe low voltage is a park issue and while at times this may be the case it's just as likely the power grid system feeding the park is where the real issue lay, in which case there's not a darned thing the park owner could do about it anyway. :R

While the theory behind an autoformer sounds good the reality is one doesn't get something for nothing, that voltage restoration has to come from somewhere. Yes, I can see the attraction for those camping seasonally in a park with persistently low voltage but for others like myself who transient camp in a variety of parks I'd just as soon have my Progressive EMS constantly monitor the situation and anytime incoming power doesn't meet spec simply disconnect the trailer from that source until such time as it does. Without shore power I can't run my A/C and although it may be somewhat inconvenient, so what? ... we'll survive just fine regardless. :) This is exactly why instead of an expensive autoformer I installed an inverter for those few times each season shore power fails, for whatever reason. I can still run a couple of fans and other 120 vac devices such as a toaster, coffee maker, etc ... a simple solution that works just fine for how I and many others use our campers. :B