Old Dude
Elizabeth NJ
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Joined: 05/17/2002
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I am looking to buy a autoformer,i found 3, hughes,franks and powermaster.I would like opinions from people who own 1 of these.I would like the pros,cons,do,and dont/s.Please no recipe for moms pineapple upside cake,how much air you keep in your tires or your pets names.(lol)
* This post was
edited 07/04/08 02:18pm by Old Dude *
Mark O'Connell
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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My comparison
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
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2oldman
WA
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A subject search for 'autoformer' might turn up some good results. I'm just too lazy today.
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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According to the Frank's page, the "Super" model is the only autoformer that Franks makes that has the high voltage cutoff.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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I built my own from a Buck / Booste Transformer sold at Graingers.com. You have to have a account to buy from them. I only spent around $150 for my 40 amp model (500 watt transformer at 12 volts).
It is not automatic, but works for me.
Fred.
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!
Improve a life KangenPowerTeam.com Akaline Water.
I havn't been everywhere, but it's on my list.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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I own a Hughes and have looked at FRranks, know zip about powermaster (They make an autoformer?)
My hughes seems well built and performs as advertised, I've read a total of ONE complaint about them on the forums, not counting the "No user serviceable parts" complaint (I can understand that, both sides in fact)
The Franks unit DOES have (per reports) some user serviceable parts, has the advantage of bucking if the supplied voltage is too high and I think I'd like to try one. It looks slightly better on paper.
However Franks makes a "50" amp uint that is really only 35 amps.. The Hughes 50 amp I have is .. Well, 50 amp (Times two)
Franks also makes a true 50 amp. but you got to ask for it. Much higher price
Still.. I'd like to try one
But so long as you stay in the US, the Hughes should do fine.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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webhannet
Southern Coastal Maine
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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The Hughes I have does not protect against HIGH surges. I was advised by Hughes to add a surgeguard AHEAD of the autoformer. She also said to be sure it was only a HIGH surgeguard - a LOW one will fight the purpose of the autoformer.
If you're looking at Hughes 30 vs. 50 AMP, compare the WATTAGE of the two models. The 50 creates far more wattage - I took that as a form of extra capacity I may need in some situations. I've been happy with mine (and it was "on the shelf" that day), but check out the others carefully. If I needed to replace mine, I think the Franks may have better features.
I've seen autoformers listed on Ebay many times, and it may be a good place to shop for one.
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Fritz62
Las Cruces, NM
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I have had both Hughes autoformers model 220-50 and Franks 50A Super Booster, both failed. A year and a half ago, I purchased a VC-50 from Powermaster, hasn't missed a lick, plus it has a great surge protector.
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cabanaman
middleburg florida
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The hughes I had burned out a transformer,it was "unrepairable".
The franks I now have has been good so far and I like the ciurcuit breaker that the hughes don't have.
Retired Navy
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2007 Open Road 378SA4S-5 quad slide.
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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From someone who has been in the "backroom" at Hughes -
and owns a Hughes . . . . Buy the Franks.
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