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pianotuna's avatar
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 14, 2014

resistance heaters and auto formers

Hi all,

How do resistance heaters and auto formers work together? Any issues that I should be aware of?

I'm in a 30 amp rv, but would be using a 50 amp pedestal to feed an autoformer to which would be plugged in a break out box (one leg 30 amp with breaker, other leg two 20 amp outlets with breakers).

Is there a way for a 50 amp autoformer to be used on a 30 amp pedestal? (i.e. use just one leg of the autoformer?)
  • Resistance heaters are no issue. Actually no device within the rating should cause any issue. Yes you can use a 30 on a 50 or a 50 on a 30.

    Frank's brand is the one that has a "60a" vs "100a" voltage booster.
    Hughes, powermaster, surgeguard 50a is 50a.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    To use an autoformer on a 30 amp you simply use a dogbone and feed both halves in phase,, Same as if you did not have it. My autoformer is hidden in the RV and is ALWAYS there, no matter if I am on a 30 amp site (Which I am) or a 50. No problems at all here.

    Now, any issues with using resistance heaters... There is one brand of auto former where they are 'Over rated' that is the 50 amp model is really only good for less than 50 amps (I think somewhere between 35 and 45).. The problem is if you have that brand (And no, I am not sure enough to state the brand) and put a couple of resistance heaters on the same leg.. It can overload.

    They made 3 versions a 30 a true 50 and a "Cheap 50" the cheap fifty is the one Im' talking about above.

    My Hughes.. I've had up to 4 1500 watt heaters plus some other stuff on line at one time and no problems.