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Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Yahoo Message Number: 63630
It seems that Hughes is no longer manufacturing the RV450 3-stage electronic autoformer. As Hughes puts it, "engineering has decided that the parts are no longer available at a reasonable price to build the RV450". They continue to manufacture the old RV220-50 model with mechanical contacts. Hughes told me that the big advantage to the RV450 was that it used electronic switches rather than mechanical contacts and therefore never had to be sent back to the factory to have the mechanical contacts re-built. Note: Round-trip shipping on a 50 pound autoformer can run about $100! That's so sad that they discontinued the RV450 as I really loved the all electronic RV450 3-stage model in my old Intrigue.
So it looks like I have a tough decision to make when upgrading my new RV... Install the old mechanical Hughes RV220-50 technology or investigate other brands like the PowerMaster VC-50 or the Franks Electronics Autoformer.
Any feedback comments on autoformers from folks on this forum is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Bob Kumza

Re: Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63797
Bob, what did you buy after selling your full-timing Intrigue?
I recently went to install an autoformer. In making my appointment, I had asked for the RV450. When I got there and with the research I had done, it just wasn't available. I got about the same response as you did when I called Hughes.
I was in a bit of a pickle at that point as I was at the shop and do I install the RV220-50 or start research anew. I got it done by installing the RV220-50. I had read pros and cons on all these models and I wasn't disappointed to have gone with Hughes.

Re: Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64083
Did you install in the bay and if so was there any issue ref ventilation? We have an 06 Allure and use the Hughes (old style, by the pedastal).

Re: Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64088
I installed mine in the cabinet behind the 120 breaker box where the surge protector is (in my 03 Intrigue, that is passenger rear end, just in front of closet). On mine the TV is above the cabinet, but there is a vent hole up into the TV cabinet which for now is quite open as I changed out the CRT for a thin screen, but I may eventually install a temp controlled fan.

Re: Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64089
I am wondering out loud for the need of an Autoformer ? I have been motor homing for almost 10 years ( In the latest round- I originally had a 73 Winnebago , in 73 ). All the coaches had low voltage and spike protection built in, as do most all CC coaches. In the last 10 years, I have not had the low voltage cut off even one time. I understand that the autoformer just really boosts the low voltage up, to an acceptable level. To add the expense of an autoformer , when you have the low voltage cutoff already built in seems redundant to me. If anyone has the answer, I ( and I am sure others ) would like to know. it seems , that if your coach doesn't have the low/spike voltage protection, that that would be the item to purchase and not an Autoformer.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64105
There surely must be someone who can answer why they bought an Autotranformer

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64119
Hi Ron, like your post. I have been around electrical all my life, I have been retired on and off being a fulltimer 15 years and Im blessed with handy skills. I have worked in campgrounds and been of both sides of the Autoformer issue. Campground owners arnt to friendly to folks using autoformers! I have been told at one Campground I worked at that if I see a Autoformer used to tell the guest remove it or leave! On older campgrounds the wiring is old and incorrect! Some of the pedistals are Daisychain as this is cheaper way of doing things on pedistals. The autoformer then if voltage is low will bring down the whole section non autoformer users! Not getting on anybody case but this is how I learnd this in real life. Be careful and more people know this! I have had to break up fights from guests with out autoformers and with autoformers parked to each other! My Mgr. made this clear to me tell them to leave! I want to share this with all of you. I have never had a need for one. If the campground power is low I just switch to propane and a least can maybe run one A/C. I also have a pedistal portable surge guard with hi/low voltage cutout. Im happy with it and gives me piece of mind. Ken 99 Allure 30356

Re: Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64126
I bought mine because I don't want to be without voltage (too low) or with low voltage for my AC's and other electrical devices.
From everything I have read, low voltage is way too common a problem.
 

Re: Autoformers - Hughes vs PowerMaster

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64142
As Ken states, in most instances, low campground voltage is caused by old and/or incorrectly wired shore-line hookups...
One "fix" for campground low voltage is an "autoformer" transformer... It will keep the voltage up and protect your AC appliances...
The "rub" is due to the fact that many campground owners have been led to believe that the autoformer pulls much more power from the AC shore hookup, and is thereby causing their low voltage problems...
Truth of the matter is that modern transformers are very efficient, losing less than 2% of their input power in the windings and core of the transformer...
The fallacy to the whole argument by the campground owners is that they refuse to accept the fact that when their campground AC voltage is low, EVERY RV HOOKED UP TO THEIR SYSTEM DRAWS MORE AMPERAGE, not just the folks using autoformers!

buck

k7wn, '99magna5653, C10, Allison 4060HD

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