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Voltage Boosters, etc.

Yahoo Message Number: 7807
We're in a 'discussion' with the current handyperson at the RV park we're in about the fact that our CC Surge Guard is cutting off the electricity to the coach because of "over/under voltage." "If you weren't in such a high end coach you wouldn't HAVE that problem"..."Why don't you just turn it off?" (His thoughts on the problem.)

He's measured the voltage and indeed it was 97 when he measured it.
He "tweaked" the post a bit and we had good voltage this morning, but by afternoon it cut off again. I'm sure that it has something to do with the fact the park is full and folks are using their little electric heaters that draw the voltage in spades. It's only 30 amp power anyway. (BY the way, we're using power carefully...propane water heater as needed, refrig on propane, Hydronic heat, etc...)

Has anyone installed one of the voltage boosters that's on the market? If so, where did you install it? (We want to put one IN the coach so it can't be stolen.) Is there room in the cabinet that holds the Surge Guard in the Intrigue Suite of Dreams?

We run into marginal voltage periodically, so figure this is just another one of those items we need to get.

WOuld like folks' thoughts...(ps...we can't change parks for assorted reasons...otherwise we would.) Thanks...Happy New Year to all!
Jan McNeill

2001 Intrigue 11320

Re: Voltage Boosters, etc.

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7810
It's my understanding that the boosters like the Autoformer will only work within a specific range. Too low and it shuts off, too high it shuts off also. You can access their spec's on the internet. I looked into buying one but opted out because of the problem mounting one inside plus the minimul advantage due to the over/under limits.

Larry
Intrigue
10762

Re: Voltage Boosters, etc.

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7811
Jan , I saw a Autoformer installed in an Intrigue,'02 I think, next to the power cord reel. It was mounted on the forward bulkhead and was hooked up so that it could be switched in and out of the circuit.
I didn't pay close attention when it was described to me bacause I wasn't interested. I do think there is room in the area next to the surge guard but I would hate to have to work through the opening and would consider pulling the breaker panel for more room to work.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427

Quote from: janmcneill
We're in a 'discussion' with the current handyperson at the RV park > we're in about the fact that our CC Surge Guard is cutting off the > electricity to the coach because of "over/under voltage." "If you > weren't in such a high end coach you wouldn't HAVE that > problem"..."Why don't you just turn it off?" (His thoughts on the > problem.)
> He's measured the voltage and indeed it was 97 when he measured it.
He "tweaked" the post a bit and we had good voltage this morning, > but by afternoon it cut off again. I'm sure that it has something

to
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Voltage Boosters, etc.

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7813
Jan, Dick Burke is a member of CCI, South West CC chapter, owns a CC and he designed and owns Autoformer. His phone # is 888 540 1504 and his web address is www.autoformer.com. I talked with him and he said the company is closed until Jan 5th. He said you could call him on his cell 714 325 3230. Have a Happy New Year, Candace p.s. Might as well get info from a fellow CC owner!

Re: Voltage Boosters, etc.

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7816
Hey Jan, the handyperson needs a lesson in what happens to appliances with undervoltage. Using his logic, if you had a low end Winnebago, it would be ok to run on low voltage because there is no built in protection. The Surge Guard is doing exactly what it was designed to do. I also considered adding a booster, but decided the frequency of extreme low voltage at campgrounds is rare. Hope you can get by until the conditions improve, 30 amp does suck...
Tom

02 Allure 30780

Re: Voltage Boosters, etc.

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7826
Hi Folks,

There are several appoaches to ac voltage regulation, but require an understanding of what is best for a motorhome.
In the summer with a/c running and in the winter with electric heaters, some RV parks just let the voltage drop, some boost it - but when the load is removed, the voltage is too high. The surge protector was added to prevent premature failure of the appliances in our coaches. Motor life gets shortened quickly with under voltage.
Here are some suggestions: Get educated - look at the following two links (voltage regulation is the topic): www.elect-spec.com (lower wattage but regulates from 90 to 138 vac)
www.line-conditioner.com/Automatic-Voltage-Regulator.htm (higher wattage and regulates from 92 to 132 vac) You might google the following subject: ac voltage regulation sale.
Another approach is to add ciruitry to allow the coach batteries to make up the difference. This is a short term solution.
There are autotransformers that electronically move the taps on the secondary winding to maintain the voltage. They require in depth research to insure they meet your coach needs.
Fred Kovol

Re: Voltage Boosters, etc.

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7829
I forgot to mention his other "bit of wisdom" given to us: When he asked us what we were 'running' when we had the power shut off, we said a laptop and refrig. "Oh, those new laptops after 2000 are really power suckers! Probably that!" Yeah, right! I'm running a 25 amp Dell...sure. (Don't I wish!)

OK for now, but I think we definitely will talk with the CC owner (see the other post) who is the maker of the Autoformer that we were considering. We're finding ourselves in situations like this that are just annoying enough that it would be nice to boost the volts by the 10% that is needed to get by. We're in some parks that are necessary for some of the jobs, so we can't move, so it might be best to be prepared.

Jan McNeill, Fulltimer

Quote from: truk4u2003
Hey Jan, the handyperson needs a lesson in what happens to

appliances

Quote
with undervoltage. Using his logic, if you had a low end

Winnebago,

Quote
it would be ok to run on low voltage because there is no built in > protection. The Surge Guard is doing exactly what it was designed

to

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do. I also considered adding a booster, but decided the frequency

of

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extreme low voltage at campgrounds is rare. Hope you can get by

until