What is used to increase low campground voltage

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What is used to increase low campground voltage

September 10, 2013, 05:19:21 pm

We are in a campground for a month and our shore voltage at our and other RV sites drops to about 107 volts. Sometimes one leg is a bit higher or lower, but with warm weather and the need for roof air, it is a problem.

We wonder what do others have done to increase campground voltage?

We are aware that buck/boost transformers exist, but wonder what manufacturers/brands are recommended by our Forum members. And if there are other ideas that we can use.

We may run our generator during a peak heat wave.

Thanks. . .

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #1 – September 10, 2013, 05:26:57 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – September 10, 2013, 05:19:21 pm

We are in a campground for a month and our shore voltage at our and other RV sites drops to about 107 volts. Sometimes one leg is a bit higher or lower, but with warm weather and the need for roof air, it is a problem.

We wonder what do others have done to increase campground voltage?

We are aware that buck/boost transformers exist, but wonder what manufacturers/brands are recommended by our Forum members. And if there are other ideas that we can use.

We may run our generator during a peak heat wave.

Thanks. . .

I use the Hughes Autoformer Hughes Autoformers :: if I am paying for electric at a campground and not getting it then I use it. It works very well the few times I have needed it.
Explanation by Neal Pillsbury Low Voltage and Appliance Performance

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #2 – September 10, 2013, 05:48:33 pm

I have seen one of these used last week. Seems to work BUT it costs around $600.00 and weighs almost 50lbs!

Surge Guard® RV Voltage Regulator

Keith

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #3 – September 10, 2013, 06:06:14 pm

The Autoformer is the only unit that will increase your low voltage issues. When you drop below 109 volts, you start having trouble with your electrical equipment like your air conditioners. If your at 107 volts, I would not plug in and run my generator only. This would also cause me to pull out of a campground. Now with the autoformer, I can fix the problem. Some will tell you that it pulls in more power. Not really - it simply send the current electric to a transformer inside the autoformer box and stepping up the power.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #4 – September 10, 2013, 06:18:50 pm

I would find a higher class Campground, have gotten a refund from a crappy c/g, moved on down the road to a fine KOA all happy there .

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #5 – September 10, 2013, 07:55:01 pm

Barry

Do you use the 30amp or the 50amp?

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #6 – September 10, 2013, 08:02:01 pm

Quote from: GKCigar – September 10, 2013, 07:55:01 pm

Barry

Do you use the 30amp or the 50amp?

50 amp. That way I can use it on 30 or 50 amp. service.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #7 – September 10, 2013, 08:05:55 pm

Barry,

Thank you, Good to know.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #8 – September 10, 2013, 08:38:00 pm

What Barry said ours works great !

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #9 – September 10, 2013, 10:19:22 pm

We were in a county camp ground (built by COE) in the heat of summer and found voltage from the 30 amp service was 106 volts inside the coach. We looked for the power distribution transformer and distribution panel. We moved to the camping spot that was the closest to the panel and was available. Voltage was above 110. During the days with highs at about 110F, we ran the generator. At night, shore power was sufficient. We were there for about four days. The convenient location compensated for the inconveniences of weak power.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #10 – September 11, 2013, 10:55:13 am

I too use the Hughes Autoformer. It will step up the power and works great.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #11 – September 11, 2013, 01:11:01 pm

FYI:

Talked with Hughes Autoformer today and they told me that there were 2 models of both 30 amp and 50 amp units. The model # RV450 and RV430 are no longer made as parts are not available and they cannot repair them. If you buy from a third party make sure the model numbers are RV220-50 or RV2130. 50 amps weighs 35lbs, 30 amp weight 20lbs

Keith

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #12 – September 11, 2013, 01:26:20 pm

Oh - Great,

I have the older 50A. Hope it is as reliable as "Old Faithful"!

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #13 – September 11, 2013, 02:53:53 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – September 11, 2013, 01:26:20 pm

Oh - Great,

I have the older 50A. Hope it is as reliable as "Old Faithful"!

Oh, how well I remember the days when you could walk into a electronics parts store (pre radio shack) and be able to buy any electronic part you needed. I am learning, over and over again, to be careful what I pray for, cause I just might get it and not like it!!! Today I walk into the only close electronics store (aka Radio Shack) and ask for something, and they look at me like I am from outerspace or something

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #14 – September 11, 2013, 03:55:19 pm

Quote from: Dave M – September 10, 2013, 06:18:50 pm

I would find a higher class Campground, have gotten a refund from a crappy c/g, moved on down the road to a fine KOA all happy there .

The only time I had the problem with low voltage in a campground, it was in a KOA!

The owner of the CG came and looked at the situation and tested with his VOM. His meter read it at 110 and he said 110 is 110 the world over and stated that 110vac was "normal". I asked for a refund and cancellation, which he gave me after a while, but he was quite upset and angry with our leaving. We moved 1/4 mile up the road to another CG where we found "normal" voltage - no, not 110; 120.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #15 – September 11, 2013, 04:03:28 pm

The main thing I use is " The exit sign " Don't plan to hurt my stuff . Brad Metzger

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #16 – September 11, 2013, 06:04:21 pm

I would be a buyer if someone wanted to sell a late model 50 amp unit

Bob

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #17 – September 11, 2013, 07:07:53 pm

Thanks to all who shared about boost auto transformers. We ordered the recommended current Hughes model RV220-50 for the lowest price we could find, $500 including UPS ground from Tweety's.

In my research for voltage boosting transformers, I find there are four manufacturers of RV voltage boost products:
1. Newest entry is TRC Technology Research model 10175 Surge Guard 50 Amp Voltage Regulator which I did not care for and mainly sold by Camping World.
2. Power Master VC-50, which may be the best choice, but product is backordered everywhere.
3. Franks has been around awhile.
4. Hughes Autoformer, the most well-known name, although with some problem
years in their history .

.. These are all simple non-isolation transformers with multiple output taps, that pass ground and neutral from input to output.
.. The transformers are very old technology and are called Buck-Boost outside the RV world. Buck applies to lowering a too high voltage.
.. Permanently installing a boost transformer can cause good voltage to be increased too high.
.. Since the output 50-amp outlet hot connections are always connected to a transformer tap, a small boost could put voltage over Surge Guard or Progressive Industries high voltage shut off, causing protection trips.
.. For about $300 one could build their own manual controled 50-amp boost transformer.
.. 30 amp boosts have one transformer and 50 amp have two transformers, each with their own voltage control circuit board.
.. Each manufacturer builds their own voltage control board that uses digital EPROMs to measure input voltages, which then close a relay to connect to the best transformer output tap to the 50-amp outlet. Some choose between two taps, some choose between three taps.
.. The major failure does not come from electronics, but comes from Chinese transformers that can overheat from poor winding quality control during manufacturing.
.. Using them only when needed and not using them near their maximum rating may extend their life

The original Hughes Autoformer was manufactured by Bob Hughes, were very well made and the early models had a simple high/low switch to manually choose the best boost. Years later Bob Hughes sold his business to Dick & Janice Burke, who were not as technical as Bob Hughes and may have been driven by using the lowest cost products due to competition. Eventually Burke's went bankrupt and their assets purchased by their transformer supplier, Pacific Transformer, who now may run the Hughes Autoformer as a separate business.

Today it is 98 degrees where we are for a month and quite a few RV's including ours are running generators for a few hours because of low campground electricity voltage. Wonder how Autoformer will help. We may not see these high temps after this week, though.

We are choosing to stay & run our generator for a few hours for a couple of hot days to cool down so we can to continue to enjoy the view of Manhattan Wall Street skyline, Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty from our campground. The next closest campground is pretty far away.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #18 – September 11, 2013, 10:50:15 pm

With a little careful planning, you can disconnect the AC wire coming into your transfer box and put a receptacle on the input AC line. Then mount a plug with enough wire on the end of the wire going into the transfer box.

With this combo, I plug my autoformer when needed into the receptacle end and on the output plug of the autoformer I plug my progressive unit in. Finally, I plug the plug end of the wire from the transfer box into the output of the progressive unit.

When I had a real go bad and no power came in, I took my extension cord, plugged it into the pedestal and the the progressive unit in the other end of the extension cord.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #19 – September 12, 2013, 08:17:25 am

I wonder if liberty harbor electric was damaged by the storm. I was there in the past with no voltage issues in a full campground and 98 degree days. The Autoformer will work, I use an extension cord from the pole to my bay. The Autoformer is in the bay and I plug in the shore cord inside the bay.

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #20 – September 12, 2013, 08:55:57 am

I understand that we are used to thinking of 120vac as normal but 110 is no problem if it is steady. If I owned a cg and had someone complain about 110vac that was steady I'd be upset, too. I'd probably refund but would put a tic by the name for future reference. Just sayin'...

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #21 – September 12, 2013, 11:38:17 am

Thank you! Some clever ideas here. We'll load up tomorrow morning some time, and head for W'burg. Hopefully the river-crossing will be passable.... See you soon! - MH

Re: What is used to increase low campground voltage

Reply #22 – September 19, 2013, 03:36:06 pm

Our campground low electric voltage problem has completely gone away, now that we own a Hughes Autoformer, and since the hot temperatures have also gone away.

Liberty Harbor Marina RV Park electricity is working just fine. It may have been a power company problem that has been resolved.

Having quick access to Manhattan via train has worked out very well for us and we are really enjoying the City.

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