Hughes Autoformer, 30 or 50 Amp???

[Logthumper]

Do you use the Hughes Autoformer? Although our Adventurer 35U is 50 Amp, Most all the campgrounds we visit have 30 Amp. We use a 30 to 50 Amp adapter and because of the Adventurers EMS Panel, most of the time everything works fine including running both air-conditioner compressors. The EMS(set for 30 Amps)will just shed some of the loads to keep the use under 30 Amps.

However from time to time a campground will experience low voltage and that presents a problem. My Power Line Monitor will disconnect if the voltage drops to 103 volts to protect the RV, BUT.

Because most of the campgrounds only have 30 Amp service, it appears that the 30 Amp Hughes Autoformer is the best choice for me, smaller size, less weight and less $$. However I have been told to use the 50 Amp thru an 30 Amp adapter because it would be more beneficial.

If I only connect to a 30 Amp service where is the benefit of a 50 Amp unit if I "NEVER" intend to plug it into a 50 Amp service??????

8-7-06 UPDATE: 8-7-06 UPDATE:
Changed my mind and ordered a Franks 50 Amp Super Automatic.
Thanks for the replys.

[Logthumper]

Do you use the Hughes Autoformer? Although our Adventurer 35U is 50 Amp, Most all the campgrounds we visit have 30 Amp. We use a 30 to 50 Amp adapter and because of the Adventurers EMS Panel, most of the time everything works fine including running both air-conditioner compressors. The EMS(set for 30 Amps)will just shed some of the loads to keep the use under 30 Amps.

However from time to time a campground will experience low voltage and that presents a problem. My Power Line Monitor will disconnect if the voltage drops to 103 volts to protect the RV, BUT.

Because most of the campgrounds only have 30 Amp service, it appears that the 30 Amp Hughes Autoformer is the best choice for me, smaller size, less weight and less $$. However I have been told to use the 50 Amp thru an 30 Amp adapter because it would be more beneficial.

If I only connect to a 30 Amp service where is the benefit of a 50 Amp unit if I "NEVER" intend to plug it into a 50 Amp service??????

8-7-06 UPDATE: 8-7-06 UPDATE:
Changed my mind and ordered a Franks 50 Amp Super Automatic.
Thanks for the replys.

[earljan34]

The 50amp will work with 30amp, But 30amp will do you no good in a park with 50amp and low voltage, it can only correct to 30amps. For my money 50amp is the better deal!

[Gary RVRoamer]

ON the other hand, you will rarely have a power problem in a 50A park. It's usually the older wiring in some 30A parks that give the fits.

If the roughly $125 price difference isn't a show stopper, by all menas get the 50A version. If you can afford the 30A but not the 50A, then maybe you are getting the most bang for your buck anyway.

[GStream40]

I would go for the 50 amp. model and then you would always have the protection. Better to have it and not need it than not to spent just $125.00 more then wish you would have.

Ron

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RV Roamer:
ON the other hand, you will rarely have a power problem in a 50A park. It's usually the older wiring in some 30A parks that give the fits.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gary,

Every Campground we stayed at between July 10 and July 25 during our trip from Tampa Florida to Ottawa and back including those wired for 50 amp had low voltage that required us to put the Surge Guard into bypass mode in order to get powered up. Changing sites made no difference. My 35U is only a 30 amp coach however the only way we could run without blowing the breaker on the post at some campgrounds was by use of the 50 amp service with a dogebone. I guess that this summer has been a rare one indeed.

My coach is in the shop right now as the AC took a beating and shuts down with high current draw. I have already picked up a 30 amp AutoFormer but debated on getting the 50 instead. If I had a 50 amp coach I would not fool around and I would get the right AutoFormer to match the coach. When the power problems that are comming in from the power grid like they were the past few weeks I feel it would be better to have the reserve capacity of the larger unit if it will run when hooked to a dog bone when at a 30 amp only site.

Regards,