Does anyone know how this autoformer really works?I ran both phases up through a dog bone on a Variac tonight and watched L1 switch to boost around 93-95 volts, and the switch to bypass a little above 115vac just as the book says. However, measuring L2 showed it in bypass at all times. This test was unloaded.I thought these were two transformers running independently, but see that if I only power up L1, L2 also has voltage on it's input. But looking at the outputs, they follow whatever input is powered. These results don't sound correct, but doing a load test is difficult. I would expect L1 & L2 to act the same. Shouldn't they?

Sounds like it is defective to me.. Check with the manufacturer,, Good test procedure by the way.

I thought these were two transformers running independently, but see that if I only power up L1, L2 also has voltage on it's input. But looking at the outputs, they follow whatever input is powered. My guess would have been one transformer (120/240 in and out) with the boost coils on both L1 and L2 outputs which would explain why you can power one input and get voltage on both outputs. It does sound like the L2 output is defective since it it always in boost.

I think it should boost 2% in all conditions and 10% as input approaches 112 volts.The legs are independent.Test with at least 100w load and use a true RMS meter.Yes the boost seems to come in late(L1) or not at all(L2).

I was given a brand-new 120 volt model in 2003. I ran a Variac test using a 1,650 watt incandescent heater for a load. Fifteen minutes later a visiting RV'er insisted that I should sell it to him. It may have ranked right up there with the fastest sale known to mankind.

Hughes thumbs down. PowerMaster Thumbs UP.Frank's worst ever. :(www.powermasterrv.com/products.html

Hughes RV220-50 really working? | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

time2roll
Nomad
Nov 02, 2014
My Frank's will hang at 127-128 longer than needed IMO when no boost is needed.
The 35 amp thermal breaker will trip before the 30 amp pedestal or 30 amp RV breaker.
The super automatic function to cut power if too high or too low to boost does not function very well because of no switching delay.
Never saw a sticker regarding the water heat. I speculate the issue is the thermal breaker when loaded 24+ amps.

I would have a PowerMaster if spending money today.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Nov 02, 2014
Franks, as i recall, sold a 30 amp unit in a 50 amp box (or perhaps it was a 40) they also made a genuine 50 amp unit.

I have a Hughes "installed" in my RV, Installed where it is out of sight and out of mind) I have dual voltage monitors (L-1 and L-2) and have been in parks where the box voltage was scary low, but my meters were both clean and green as the HUGHES boosted.. Only problem was tripping the park 30 amp (it's a 50 amp RV) but the Auto-former performed flawlessly.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Nov 02, 2014
Does anyone make after market regulator boards, or does the factory sell them direct?
SCVJeff
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
Well this one is going back from wence it came. She's broke capt'n...

Triker.. The Hughes (when it works) runs about +2% all the time, while 10% is subjective to the reference, but it's roughly 10V @ 100 vac

I would be curious why Franks said what they said about the water heater? Either it can't handle the load which I doubt, or a boosted voltage on the upper side of boost will certainly shorten the life of the heater. And thats true of all of them.

(Edit: ipad spelling)
Triker33
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
CA Traveler wrote:
Triker33 wrote:
Hughes thumbs down. PowerMaster Thumbs UP.
Why?

I had a Hughes for a few years and it didn't really boost much, but did a little. Never 10% Threw it away when I got a Frank's.

Knew right away the Franks was junk. When it had a label on it, to not run it using a electric water heater.
Their advertizement for it didn't mention anything about that.

It also had a 30 AMP breaker in it. It would trip without using the electric water heater.
So I changed the 30 AMP breaker for a 35 AMP one. And it would still trip and the campground 30 AMP didn't.

I have had the PowerMaster for 2 years now. And it does boost for real and has worked without any problems
NinerBikes
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I was given a brand-new 120 volt model in 2003. I ran a Variac test using a 1,650 watt incandescent heater for a load. Fifteen minutes later a visiting RV'er insisted that I should sell it to him. It may have ranked right up there with the fastest sale known to mankind.

Wait, you did sell him the 1650 watt incandescent light bulb, didn't you? :B
SCVJeff
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I was given a brand-new 120 volt model in 2003. I ran a Variac test using a 1,650 watt incandescent heater for a load. Fifteen minutes later a visiting RV'er insisted that I should sell it to him. It may have ranked right up there with the fastest sale known to mankind.
Nice Variac!
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 30, 2014
Triker33 wrote:
Hughes thumbs down. PowerMaster Thumbs UP.
Why?
Triker33
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
Hughes thumbs down. PowerMaster Thumbs UP.
Frank's worst ever. :(
www.powermasterrv.com/products.html
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
I was given a brand-new 120 volt model in 2003. I ran a Variac test using a 1,650 watt incandescent heater for a load. Fifteen minutes later a visiting RV'er insisted that I should sell it to him. It may have ranked right up there with the fastest sale known to mankind.

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Hughes RV220-50 really working?

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