Volt Regulator

Bobbo wrote:

accsys wrote:
IMHO an EMS system such as the Progressive Industries ones are very necessary. They protect against power surges and low/high voltage situations.

On the other hand many people use the autoformers to boost the low voltages that are sometimes prevalent in a campground. In my opinion these just exacerbate the problem for the whole campground. The only reason the voltage is low is because of an overtaxed distribution system and too many people pulling too many amps. An autoformer raises the output voltage by increasing the amps pulled on the input, just making the problem worse for everyone else. If everyone in the campground was using an autoformer, you would have a cascading effect that eventually would blow the main trunk line to the campground.

Actually, the Autoformer can't use more amperage than the outlet provides. If you are hooked to a 30 amp outlet, the Autoformer can't pull more than 30 amps or it would trip the breaker. If you are hooked to a 50 amp outlet, it can't pull more than 100 amps (50 amps per side). Since you are already "authorized" to pull that many amps, you aren't cheating anyone out of "their" power.

What it actually does is give you REDUCED amperage at INCREASED voltage. If you are on the 30 amp circuit, the autoformer can pull only up to 30 amps, but uses some of those amps to raise the voltage, so your RV may actually only receive 27 amps, or so, at the increased voltage. Same applies to the 50 amp circuit.

That being said, I do not have any kind of voltage booster, whether Autoformer or other.

I standby what I said. Naturally you cannot draw more current than what the circuit breaker is designed for on the pedestal. Few of us pull the maximum power the pedestal is designed for, especially 50 amp pedestals. But, if you use an autoformer in a low voltage situation, you are pulling more current from the pedestal than you would without the autoformer and thus contributing to the low voltage situation for everyone else that is originally caused by the high current draw throughout the campground.

It's simple electrical math. To get higher power on the output windings you have to increase the power on the input windings and in low voltage situations the only way to do that is increase current through the input windings. And since the autoformer is not 100% efficient, you actually lose some power through the autoformer, requiring an even higher current on the input.

A VOLTAGE REGULATOR is different than a VOLTAGE ADJUSTER. One is a true regulator, the other juts voltage abruptly from one step to the next (usually upwards). None of them do a damned thing for distortion, bad waveform, harmonics or transients.

Search 'autoformer.' Lots of reading.

accsys wrote:
IMHO an EMS system such as the Progressive Industries ones are very necessary. They protect against power surges and low/high voltage situations.

On the other hand many people use the autoformers to boost the low voltages that are sometimes prevalent in a campground. In my opinion these just exacerbate the problem for the whole campground. The only reason the voltage is low is because of an overtaxed distribution system and too many people pulling too many amps. An autoformer raises the output voltage by increasing the amps pulled on the input, just making the problem worse for everyone else. If everyone in the campground was using an autoformer, you would have a cascading effect that eventually would blow the main trunk line to the campground.

Actually, the Autoformer can't use more amperage than the outlet provides. If you are hooked to a 30 amp outlet, the Autoformer can't pull more than 30 amps or it would trip the breaker. If you are hooked to a 50 amp outlet, it can't pull more than 100 amps (50 amps per side). Since you are already "authorized" to pull that many amps, you aren't cheating anyone out of "their" power.

What it actually does is give you REDUCED amperage at INCREASED voltage. If you are on the 30 amp circuit, the autoformer can pull only up to 30 amps, but uses some of those amps to raise the voltage, so your RV may actually only receive 27 amps, or so, at the increased voltage. Same applies to the 50 amp circuit.

That being said, I do not have any kind of voltage booster, whether Autoformer or other.

I've seen 107V on a cold morning in Idaho near Yellowstone National park. I think every one had their electric heaters on, and the coffee pot.

accsys,

Alot of people are under the impression that the Autoformer uses more current from the park. Here's an explanation from their site:

Hughes

IMHO an EMS system such as the Progressive Industries ones are very necessary. They protect against power surges and low/high voltage situations.

On the other hand many people use the autoformers to boost the low voltages that are sometimes prevalent in a campground. In my opinion these just exacerbate the problem for the whole campground. The only reason the voltage is low is because of an overtaxed distribution system and too many people pulling too many amps. An autoformer raises the output voltage by increasing the amps pulled on the input, just making the problem worse for everyone else. If everyone in the campground was using an autoformer, you would have a cascading effect that eventually would blow the main trunk line to the campground.

Freebird1958 wrote:
I thought I would start here. Does the experience rv fulltimers feel that it is wise to invest in a voltage regulator. Such as autoformers or a rv volt regulator to keep and maintain correct volt from rv campgrounds pedestals connections? Is it a possible or common problem that people find at campgrounds?

don't know why your question is limited to full timers since all people who plug into a campground pedestal are affected, but yes, I think a multi-function surge protector, ($250 and up) is an essential piece of equipment to own/use. if you are constantly staying at campgrounds with inferior electric power, an autoformer might be indicated but I rarely stay at that type of campground myself.
those who "watch a meter" will get surprised some day when the juice spikes and fries everything.
bumpy

Freebird1958 wrote:
Does the experience rv fulltimers feel that it is wise to invest in a voltage regulator.

Yes. Unless you're always checking a campground's voltage, low voltage sags can be easily missed. At one park I stayed at the voltage would sag in the morning and evening when all the coffee makers and microwaves came on.

I was able to watch the voltage fluctuations because my surge guard control panel displays the incoming voltage.

Get an auto former or voltage regulator. It'll protect your ACs and fridge if it's a residential type.

We Full Timed for over 20 years 1986-2007 and never had a problem with low voltage. Average stay was around 4 months per CG.