Anyone believe in RV Voltage Regulators?

[Scubawise]

We have been to sites where family members could not run both AC with voltage at 112 and 114?

We have 1 AC

https://camperreport.com/rv-voltage-regulator/

[16ACE27]

Never heard of autotransformers being referred to as voltage regulators before, although that is their function.

[ducksface]

My xantrex 3000w inverter has one built in that measures shore power and will add inverter/battery generated voltage/amps as needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-815-3...s%2C268&sr=8-3


So yes, I've bought and installed one.

[EA37TS]

Hughes Autoformer.

Do a search and read all about it. Extremely old news.

[gte534j]

I have the 30 Amp Hughes Autoformer Power Watchdog Bluetooth Smart RV Surge Protector with Automatic Shut Off (Emergency Power Off) and really like it. It turns off when the voltage varies by a certain amount and also turns off when over-current. It also tracks power consumption which is neat to see if you are trying to figure out power usage when not relying on shore power.

[ducksface]

I guess I'm the the only one.
I've seen it do what it's supposed to.
I think it took 108v to 115v.
It's been a while and I only saw it at a glance.
The display showed:
108v in
115v out

Or thereabouts.

[lwmcguire]

They work by using amperage to increase voltage

Several in use in one park will reduce the park voltage further

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

They work by using amperage to increase voltage

Several in use in one park will reduce the park voltage further

Mine makes it from the coach batteries through the inverter. No draw or hold from shore power. Mine will add to the generator or shore power.

From the odds based on views of this thread, they're less than 1:200, at the most.
I'd guess it's closer to 1:20,000 rv's have one.

[lwmcguire]

Very few are set up to draw from the battery bank long term due to having to run the generator and defeating the goal

Goal being to run 2 or 3 AC units in a camp ground

Wired to enable startup amp draw from batteries using them as capacitors and then recharge on inverter is possible

Soft start units help

The best outcome would be upgrading camp grounds to supply the potential demands

If a camp ground is maxed out electrically drawing additional amps lowers supply voltage

Having posted the above i have a 50 amp portable unit left over from the Landmark

It gives off quite a bit of heat when loaded

Many camp grounds don't allow them so hard wired is your best option if you need it

My plan is to avoid the old non improved camp sites when possible

The older under wired sites are prone to voltage spikes as well as dips

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

They work by using amperage to increase voltage

Several in use in one park will reduce the park voltage further

That is why many parks prohibit their use.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

That is why many parks prohibit their use.

Which is utterly silly. They do use an amp or two but so will making a cup of coffee and in any case they can’t draw more than the 30A (or 50) service that you paid for because of the pedestal breaker. Perhaps they should ban more than one A/C instead. It would be more effective in preserving park capacity.

[ducksface]

We've had this conversation before.
I think the consensus was
It's silly
It's not based on science
30 amp is the max no matter what.

But, as I don't care much I'm not remembering much.

Maybe it's not a
Hey! They're busting our amps!
Thing

Maybe it's a fire hazard thing that has been convoluted.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by ducksface

my xantrex 3000w inverter has one built in that measures shore power and will add inverter/battery generated voltage/amps as needed.

https://www.amazon.com/xantrex-815-3...s%2c268&sr=8-3


so yes, i've bought and installed one.

$1900!

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by Scubawise

$1900!

Yup,
But
3,000w
That voltage regulator
VERY powerful built in 12v converter
Stackable to 9,000 watt and/or 240v
350a charger(mine is. I've seen it do 210a. Adv says 150)
Dual in dual out.
67 lbs.
Lithium ready
Adjustable auto voltage turn off so you don't run a battery down
Plays well with ags

It was a day and a half labor for the hidden install.
Plus ags and controller.
I'm sorta remembering $3,300 otd.

We own 2001, 2004 and 2011 vehicles as our daily drivers. We'll have this rv at least 15 years, so we buy better/bigger things when we can.


A story, per usual:
I bought the inverter at cw at about 5pm one night.
I go onto Amazon to see if i had stepped on my tail, price wise.

An Amazon vendor had them listed at $32!
I bought the two they had.
They contacted me the next day and begged me to not make them send them, they would send, but it would crush them little guys. Of course i didn't make them ship.
For a very short night I had a 9,000w system....

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

Which is utterly silly. They do use an amp or two but so will making a cup of coffee and in any case they can’t draw more than the 30A (or 50) service that you paid for because of the pedestal breaker. Perhaps they should ban more than one A/C instead. It would be more effective in preserving park capacity.

Ah but it’s not your decision to make. If you don’t like their rules roll on down the road.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Ah but it’s not your decision to make. If you don’t like their rules roll on down the road.

True that. Mine is mounted in the electrical compartment and I only use it when I notice very low voltage in the coach. I have never had occasion to use it in a park that bans them but I believe I would not hesitate do so if circumstances are such that it would benefit. Actually, I rarely use it at all.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Yup,
But
3,000w
That voltage regulator
VERY powerful built in 12v converter
Stackable to 9,000 watt and/or 240v
350a charger(mine is. I've seen it do 210a. Adv says 150)
Dual in dual out.
67 lbs.
Lithium ready
Adjustable auto voltage turn off so you don't run a battery down
Plays well with ags

It was a day and a half labor for the hidden install.
Plus ags and controller.
I'm sorta remembering $3,300 otd.

We own 2001, 2004 and 2011 vehicles as our daily drivers. We'll have this rv at least 15 years, so we buy better/bigger things when we can.


A story, per usual:
I bought the inverter at cw at about 5pm one night.
I go onto Amazon to see if i had stepped on my tail, price wise.

An Amazon vendor had them listed at $32!
I bought the two they had.
They contacted me the next day and begged me to not make them send them, they would send, but it would crush them little guys. Of course i didn't make them ship.
For a very short night I had a 9,000w system....

Nice setup

[EV2]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Ah but it’s not your decision to make. If you don’t like their rules roll on down the road.

Of course,they have the right to provide substandard electrical voltage to cause damage to their guest’s equipment and then make non relevant rules that make no sense, but it would be nice if they provided notice that they are a crappy provider before taking the deposit. If the voltage is not low, no amperage is used to normalize voltage, which would indicate that they knew they were deficient when making the rule.

[Connieb]

We have a highs autoformer,that we use Everytime we plug in. We also have a hardwired surgeprotector that will shut the electric down if it drops below 102. We have a state park that has low power. We have tried 3 different times at 3 different sites. The ranger checked the box and got readings of 94-97. Way too low. He said it will get worse during the weekend,and will be like that until they upgrade. I asked how others fared he said some just don't know. Even withe the autoformer boast it is low.
SMH