Frank's autotransformer question.

pbolden wrote:

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether the additional $200+ is worth the Frank's over the Hughes or am I missing something?

See this Escapees thread where a couple more options are discussed.

Hi,

surge guard autoformer will boost 10%

Power Master autoformer will boost 2.5% or 12%

I have a Frank's 30a superautomatic. If spending money today it would be PowerMaster then Hughes. But it would be about even.

Frank's has a 35 amp thermal fuse for protection and it seems to trip well before the 30a breaker on each side.

The superautomatic is supposed to cut power if too high or too low to boost. Fine but it has no reconnect delay. I have seen it rapidly connect/disconnect/reconnect in the right conditions.

Also seems to hang in low boost too long holding 126/128 volts when IMO 118 would be just fine.

Keep in mind the "70 amp" version only passes 35 amps per leg where 50 amp service is 50a each leg so you really may need the "100 amp" to be equivalent to Hughes. Considering my experience I am not sure you would even get the 35 amps per leg through the thing.

Mine is a few years old and still functions but have not used it in a while. Maybe it has improved since.

Thanks Techwriter,

Interesting thread though opinions were quite varied but as a result I am going to take another look at the powermaster unit.

One thing that bothered my about Frank's is when I called twice to ask some questions I got an answering machine (like the type in your home). Never did talk to anyone. Makes me wonder if this guy is working out of his basement. Doesn't make me feel to secure about the operation and/or sending $700+.

Any other opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Paul

Thanks pianotuna & smkettner.

Paul

Out back autoformer This may be 120 to 240--not sure.

pbolden wrote:
One thing that bothered my about Frank's is when I called twice to ask some questions I got an answering machine (like the type in your home). Never did talk to anyone. Makes me wonder if this guy is working out of his basement.

I actually picked mine up at the guy's house to save shipping.

smkettner wrote:
I actually picked mine up at the guy's house to save shipping.

If I still lived in Mission Hills I'd make the short trip but it would be a long drive from Ohio LOL.

Paul

Hi,

The Power Master claims an operating range of 94 to 132 volts.

What I would love is something that did progressive boosts (2%, 4% and etc.) and progressive lowering. They are, apparently, available in Mexico--but I really haven't been able to find a source. Making a 9000 kilometer trip to find out doesn't appeal to me.

I went with Hughes and am glad of it.... But...

Franks makes, it appears, 3 Autoformers

one is a 30 amp
one is a 50 amp but is very rare
and the third is advertised as a 50 but is not, thus the internal fuse blows if you load it down...

So make sure you get the right one

The hughes I have is 8 or 9 (not sure which) and works well

ONE suggestion.. No matter what version you get Google the Hughes Autoformer Install kit, If you can download the instructions for it you can make your own (I did) or buy the kit (Overpriced in my not very humble opinion).

And INSTALL the unit inside your coach.. WHY: Well, several reasons.
ONE: if it's installed inside the odds of it growing a pair of legs and walking off go way down.

Second: I have been in parks where the park rules say NO Autoformers And I figure if they can not see it (And they can not) they can not complain about it.

I also figure if they say "Do not use them" it means "You really need one here since we have a low voltage issue"

But mostly: Those suckers are big and heavy and it is way too easy to forget it epically if overnighting.. And I have done just that (Before I installed it) and the result was not good (low voltage)