Would you plug in?

Dtank,

I never said an autoformer would correct faulty wiring. I said it would correct low voltage, which even the best surge protectors can not do.

If you read the whole thread, I answered that I would run my generator if I were in the OP's position.

SG has been around long enough to know that RV parks only have about 41% of the total capacity on each loop. That is what the electrical code requires. That code, in times of heavy use, is the cause of the low voltage. At 30 amps per pedestal and ten pedestals that is 41% of 300 amps which equals 123 amps. If all ten sites have RVs running air conditioners, and it is hot out, the demand is about 144 amps. Guaranteed there will be low voltage. So the fancy dancy surge units shut off the power. And the equally fancy Hughes Autoformer boosts the voltage allowing the air conditioner to run.

Dtank wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
Kinda pointless having a device that tells you there's a problem but then does nothing about it. :R

pianotuna wrote:
Exactly how I feel about low voltage disconnect from an EMS. It doesn't correct the problem. My autoformer does.

Your choice, I'd rather disconnect. In your case, voltage drop is excessive for whatever reason so I'd want to know what that reason is, not just blindly step it up. In the OP's case we're not talking about a voltage issue but rather a dangerous wiring issue that could kill him, in which case an EMS which won't allow connection to the faulty source in the first place is the best answer, not a step up transformer that won't do anything at all to address this problem.

"SoundGuy" offers sound advice!

An autoformer - whether Hughes or Frank's - does *NOT* correct faulty wiring..:S

.

SoundGuy wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
Kinda pointless having a device that tells you there's a problem but then does nothing about it. :R

pianotuna wrote:
Exactly how I feel about low voltage disconnect from an EMS. It doesn't correct the problem. My autoformer does.

Your choice, I'd rather disconnect. In your case, voltage drop is excessive for whatever reason so I'd want to know what that reason is, not just blindly step it up. In the OP's case we're not talking about a voltage issue but rather a dangerous wiring issue that could kill him, in which case an EMS which won't allow connection to the faulty source in the first place is the best answer, not a step up transformer that won't do anything at all to address this problem.

"SoundGuy" offers sound advice!

An autoformer - whether Hughes or Frank's - does *NOT* correct faulty wiring..:S

.

Hi Ron,

I hope your next campground will have a great electrical system.

FYI - left this morning and all worked out fine, albeit NOT optimal. Under same conditions (just overnight, needed AC, no availability nearby, GND bonding issue NOT hot/Nuetral problem, etc) I'd do the same again. Would not have done this without DVM and understanding that L1/L2/Nuetral were good, also would not advise someone else to do what I did.

With that said, pretty sure CG has been that way since "fixed" and lots of others have stayed there unknowingly without problems. Maybe someone has had a problem, but pretty sure most haven't. Again, NOT saying it's OK. But I did understand the situation and limit my exposure (ran minimum amount of items w/GND) and the calculated risk paid off. Still better not to take unnecessary risks if you can help it.

FYI, I do know a little bit about the issue at hand. I've wired a few houses, including replacing main panel etc, and have a EE degree. And darsben1 - I still appreciated having my surge alert me to a situation that I could investigate further and appreciated the surge protection it still provided (even though not needed).

Just posted this to gather others experience and knowledgeable recommendations, as well as to add my experience to this body of knowledge. Thanks for comments.
Ron

OP,

From your posts you were caught between a rock and a hard place. Hopefully all of us have learned from your experience. Thanks for sharing.

MNRon wrote:
Just pulled in to CG in TX. Plugged in the Surge and got a red fault stating L1 and Nuetral reversed and/or L2 and Nuetral. Got my attention so I pulled out the DVM and found L1-N-L2 was 120v-120v-240v as expected. The issue was GND-N was 40v, and L1-GND was 80v; L2-GND was 160v.

Went to office and was told electrical was just completely redone a month ago so can't be a problem. Also stated 4sites share electrical so I could move if wanted. After checking the 8/9 other open sites I found the same issue all over the park.

Given I'm HOT and DW wants AC, dozen other campers here are plugged in and running AC fine, AND Nuetral is good it's "just" GND - I informed office and decided to plug in for night. As long as my stuff just runs L1/L2-N AND I don't have a fault I'm OK. I don't like it but we're hot...

Wit that answer from the office I would be looking for a refund and changing CG's

My advice is for you to get rid of your surge/EMS.
You are not listening to it so why use it?

MNRon wrote:


Went to office and was told electrical was just completely redone a month ago so can't be a problem.

Had a very similar situation happen last year when our EMS shut down on an open ground and simultaneous low voltage when we first backed into the site. The office sent over their general purpose handyman come electrician who used a voltmeter and declared it fine and said that it had to be fine anyway because he recently replaced the receptacle in the pedestal.

There's far too many CGs that have non-electricians doing electrical work or maintaining it and that also don't understand the seriousness of some issues.

SoundGuy wrote:
Kinda pointless having a device that tells you there's a problem but then does nothing about it. :R

pianotuna wrote:
Exactly how I feel about low voltage disconnect from an EMS. It doesn't correct the problem. My autoformer does.

Your choice, I'd rather disconnect. In your case, voltage drop is excessive for whatever reason so I'd want to know what that reason is, not just blindly step it up. In the OP's case we're not talking about a voltage issue but rather a dangerous wiring issue that could kill him, in which case an EMS which won't allow connection to the faulty source in the first place is the best answer, not a step up transformer that won't do anything at all to address this problem.

Exactly how I feel about low voltage disconnect from an EMS. It doesn't correct the problem. My autoformer does.

SoundGuy wrote:
Kinda pointless having a device that tells you there's a problem but then does nothing about it. :R