Surge protectors etc

I Googled and came up with . . . .

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What is a VFD?
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the electric motor. Other names for a VFD are variable speed drive, adjustable speed drive, adjustable frequency drive, AC drive, microdrive, and inverter.
Frequency (or hertz) is directly related to the motor’s speed (RPMs). In other words, the faster the frequency, the faster the RPMs go. If an application does not require an electric motor to run at full speed, the VFD can be used to ramp down the frequency and voltage to meet the requirements of the electric motor’s load. As the application’s motor speed requirements change, the VFD can simply turn up or down the motor speed to meet the speed requirement.
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I did not delve further into it. Sounds more like varying frequency than voltage? We need something that automatically adjusts voltage as incoming voltage changes. We want close to 120 VAC and we want something that raises or lowers voltage automatically as needed. And we need something that does not cost a fortune. Can we get more info on whether one of these fits our needs?

Hi,

VFD? Please expand. Thanks.

lukebarber wrote:
Can't you use an ***Link Removed***inexpensive VFD to convert electricity when leaving the US/Canada?

***Link Removed***inexpensive VFD

Not at all sure what device you might be talking about. Can you be more specific? No idea what this means?

Mexico is supposed to have the same 120 VAC 60 cycle electricity as found in USA and Canada. For the most part they provide 127 VAC 60 cycle. The problem is fluctuations and how to keep them from doing damage to your equipment. You could use Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) but you would have to have a different UPS for a number of different appliances - computers - TV/stereo - refrigerator - etc. And there may not be any UPS large enough for things like air conditioners - which is one of the critical components due to compressor motor needs. And a UPS probably costs more than the device we have mentioned here.

General consensus of opinion is many electric problems RVers experience in Mexico is probably due to poor or inadequate wiring in many RV parks. We try to adjust to the fluctuations as best we can by using various devices intended for this purpose. These devices may also be necessary in the US and Canada but perhaps not as often. There is no way to know for sure when protection might be needed so we just use these things all the time.

Can't you use an ***Link Removed***inexpensive VFD to convert electricity when leaving the US/Canada?

Hi brian,

I'm currently in Florida and have no plans to visit Mexico. I do appreciate your help.

To the best of my knowledge you can only buy the ISB products in Mexico. I once saw someone post one on ebay for a ridiculously high price in California I think. I do not know how you would get one in the US.

Hi brian,

I'm currently in Florida and have no plans to visit Mexico. I do appreciate your help.

If you go to the ISB website look at the red line at the top and see the words DONDE COMPRAR - which means where to buy - click that and it will give you all the states in Mexico - click the state you are in and it will give you a list of ferreterias where their products are sold - if they do not have them in stock they can get them quickly as they are warehoused by distributors all over Mexico. Some of these ferreterias do have websites where you can contact them. You may have to be very clear about what you want.

Hi brian,

I did send the company the link with the 3600 peso price. Weird that they said it was obsolete. Perhaps they don't wish to sell me what I want?

I've written to the isb folks.

Our Xantrex Prosine 2.0 Inverter watches the incoming voltage and line frequency and drops it out if out of spec.

It does not give protection for transients and voltage spikes. We've been lucky so far. (We pull the plug during lightning storms)

Forgot to mention that when the Xantrex cuts the power, its inverter function cuts in. The TV doesn't even flicker.

I do not know if all inverters work the same way but our main 120 for outlets and basic appliances comes through the inverter at all times so when we lose shore power there is no problem - and since lights are on 12 volt there is no problem there either. The problem can be with things like A/C and microwave and fridge - as well as potential harm to electronic devices. And if you run some things on incorrect voltage for a period of time they may all seem fine but will not last as long as they might on correct voltage. I am probably not the best at explaining all of this. But there is a good chance incorrect voltage will greatly reduce life expectancy of certain equipment. It is not just spikes but just continuous use at other than correct voltage that will cause early demise. A motor designed for 120 VAC but now running at 108 or 132 will wear out faster than if it ran at 120. There is also a difference between modified sine wave and true sine wave - many know this - some devices do not see 120 from a modified sine wave but they will see 120 from a true sine wave. A modified wave is clipped somewhat so a device may see it as only 108 volts - which could shorten life. I does get complicated.

Here is a picture