It can't "hurt" the campground but can definitely can hurt the other campers, which is why a lot of campgrounds have rules that prohibit them. As stated you can't get something (higher voltage) for nothing. When an autoformer boosts the voltage it also inreases the current the rig is drawing. If just one or two people do that it is probably no problem but if many do it it will further tax an already weak power campground grid. That might cause brownouts and other problems for those without the things.
It hurts no worse than turning on the microwave or hair dryer or watching television or using your computer. These items are not banned why would an autoformer be banned? Anyway mine always uses less power from the park while in use because I turn the water and fridge to propane.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
If everyone in a campground used an autoformer and demanded their prescribed current at the same time they would each get less amps. That is if the campground was completely full with such campers.
I had adjusted to the idea of not using AC, but when the microwave refused to work (and subsequently broke) - I joined the others in the CG who already had autoformers. I see from comments here, I need to hide my use of an autoformer to avoid an uprising.
To say the CG owners are in denial over the lack of electric supply is a vast understatement. I agree with the poster who argues that having an Autoformer is a defensive, protective measure. No one is requiring CG owners to supply appropriate power, and no CG owners are paying for expensive equipment which is damaged by poor electric supply.
If a CG offers 30 or 50 amp service without sufficient supply, they should be held to task by municipal building inspectors. Next.... water quality issues!
This topic has been hashed many times. Here is a recent one with some actual air conditioner power measurements at various voltages: Can voltage booster help? There is not much power change over a fairly wide voltage range - it actually increases as voltage increases.
Also in that thread is a link to a thread I did on the possible effect of an autoformer at relatively normal voltages on the reefer.
Also, note that the resistive devices like the heating elements in the water heater and reefer draw more power (more watts) with increasing voltages as the resistance is relatively constant over the voltage range. When E increases, I increase and the power increases.
I suspect that in reality, many of the campers with an autoformer actually cause the total park power draw to increase because it is just not the air conditioners that get the higher voltage.
For the good of all the campers in a park when there is low voltage, the best thing is for all the campers to use gas for reefer and water heater and not use other high current items during the heat of the day when the A/C's are on.
And the low voltage is not always from the park wiring. In hot weather, the load on the whole power grid increases and the voltage drops on the feed to the parks - and everywhere else (think brownouts).
Mel & Mary Ann; Mo'Be (More Behave...) and Bella
"If you have an RV, you don't need another hobby." Comment from a friend...
73 Kountry Aire 31.5 ft (semi-retired) TT
90 Champion LaSalle MH 29 ft P30 (89 Chassis)
An autoformer can not draw beyond the max current load of the installed breaker in the pole.
If the campground power is marginal, I will run my water heater on propane, run only one of my AC's, and not run the microwave, however, I will not disconnect my autoformer.
I protect my investment in electronics in my rig with an autoformer, and if a CG decides they are not allowed, they can KMA.
Exactly what happens, voltage goes up, amps drawn go down. So the campground actually benefits from it's usage.
Deen - Vancouver, WA
'02 Dutch Star 4090 (41+', triple slide)
435/1200 ISC Cummins/Banks PowerPak
'97 Grand Cherokee/4 down
'05 Honda Odyssey/dolly
NRA Benefactor Life Member
FMCA f47302s, Life Member: Good Sam, Newmar DP Owners Group
51st yr of RV'ing
hwybnb wrote: It can't "hurt" the campground but can definitely can hurt the other campers, which is why a lot of campgrounds have rules that prohibit them. As stated you can't get something (higher voltage) for nothing. When an autoformer boosts the voltage it also inreases the current the rig is drawing. If just one or two people do that it is probably no problem but if many do it it will further tax an already weak power campground grid. That might cause brownouts and other problems for those without the things.
You need to study Ohm's law and figurte out the interaction of the various inputs. Motors draw more amps as the voltage goes down, increasing the voltage LOWERS the amps drawn from the campground, therefore leaving more for others.
If you are going to run your A/C unit, it will be consuming about 1,500 watts - and it does not matter if the incoming voltage is 110 or 125 volts.
So the amperage into the autoformer will be the same as just plugging in the RV directly to the power post, so it will not matter if they are using the autoformer or not.
The autoformer will consume some power, say 50 watts. It might use 1 KW per day, and cost the campground about $.15 per day in increased electric rates.
As for effects on the adjacent RV's - there will be none. If each RV is using 1,500 watts, then the voltage loss will be the same if the RV's are using autoformers or not using them.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche or Country Coach
If there's a WILL, I want to be in it!
You meet the kindest people at RV Rallies. 21 rallies so far
This question has been argued to death in other threads.
If a campground is poorly wired and thus, can not deliver proper voltage to your rig at peak demand.. THIS can harm the campground in several ways.. One is a damage suit. Some RVers I know have the technical and some the legal and some both savvy to prove a case to a reasonable person for negligence on the part of the CG in not upgrading their wires.
An autoformer can prevent the suit. Thus HELPING the CG
We have a member who put meters both in front and behind an AUTOformer
He also ran his Air Conditioner on a variable transformer and simulated low park voltage, again metering it.
The over all, result was that the current demand on the park WAS increased by the use of the autoformer in his tests
Alas, you will have to search for his posts, and I don't recall which member it was
But I reviewed his testing procedure, and it appeared to me he did things right. I have not the varactor needed to re-do his tests.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
Offline
