Putting a Hughes Autoformer in between coach cable and coach

[NealC]

In referring a friend the Hughes Autoformer I discovered the video on their home page which I watched. What I was surprised to learn is it is not weather proof. The video showed them putting a trash can over it, not a great show. Hughes needs to do something about that problem. So they mentioned putting it in the coach, okay, that's fine and I could just use my 30ft 50A extension cable on the way from CW that I just ordered. Defeats the nice 50ft one in the coach on a power reel.

So I was thinking, should I just wire it in between the coaches reel and the coach? I guess I'd need to get a 50A male plug to go from the coaches line to the Autoformer then a female for the other side so the Hughes goes inline.

Anyone done this? Anyone had a problem with their Hughes Autoformer in the weather?

[owr]

That's exactly what I did ...just wired a plug in the electrical compartment for it to plug into and the coach cord plugs Into the auto former ....I used a couple small pieces of 1"x1" aluminium angle to keep it from sliding around and WAA LAA !! work great no theft issues either ...


Hope that helps !

Phil

[cruzbill]

I guess I question the need for an autoformer at all. If the park has low voltage, the autoformer will increase the use of amps from the park to compensate; somewhere, a breaker will say, I've had enough. watts = power and volts x amps = watts. No getting around Ohms law. I know about multi-tap transformers, but they simply can't make something (volts) out of nothing without increasing amps.

I have had low voltage at a park or two, my power monitoring system clicks on and off and protects the MH. Just unclear as why an autoformer is needed.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by cruzbill

I guess I question the need for an autoformer at all. If the park has low voltage, the autoformer will increase the use of amps from the park to compensate; somewhere, a breaker will say, I've had enough. watts = power and volts x amps = watts. No getting around Ohms law. I know about multi-tap transformers, but they simply can't make something (volts) out of nothing without increasing amps.



I have had low voltage at a park or two, my power monitoring system clicks on and off and protects the MH. Just unclear as why an autoformer is needed.

If you run your A/C units at low voltage, say just above where the EMS will cut power, you are already using more amps. If my Hughes will keep me running safely in these cases then it's doing a good job in my estimation.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by NealC

In referring a friend the Hughes Autoformer I discovered the video on their home page which I watched. What I was surprised to learn is it is not weather proof. The video showed them putting a trash can over it, not a great show. Hughes needs to do something about that problem. So they mentioned putting it in the coach, okay, that's fine and I could just use my 30ft 50A extension cable on the way from CW that I just ordered. Defeats the nice 50ft one in the coach on a power reel.



So I was thinking, should I just wire it in between the coaches reel and the coach? I guess I'd need to get a 50A male plug to go from the coaches line to the Autoformer then a female for the other side so the Hughes goes inline.



Anyone done this? Anyone had a problem with their Hughes Autoformer in the weather?

It's not waterproof but so long as it's not sitting in a puddle, it seems to be ok. I did move mine inside by doing exactly what you propose.

[NRR]

Per Hughes site “An Autoformer running at full output (50amps) will use 1 amp, but will cause appliances to cycle more often and run cooler. This will use less total power from the park.”

Their spec is the device will add or subtract up to 10V depending on the input voltage from the pedestal. So if the input is 105V your rig sees 115V. That makes air conditioners very happy. They run cooler and longer. The Progressive devices will let your AC units try to chug along if the pedestal voltage is 105V. Not a good thing for them.

The box has the same indicators as the Progressive units with the exception of amperage usage on the newest Progressive units. Also comparing 30A to 30A units Progressive has 1790J spike protection (think lightening) and the Hughes has 4800J.

The Hughes device has two draw backs. They weigh more and they cost more. Like $109 more. Worth every penny in my mind. When I get enough pennies I am going Hughes.

[palehorse89]

I would not use/travel with my Coach without
my auto former.........

[lynnmor]

Originally Posted by cruzbill

I guess I question the need for an autoformer at all.
I have had low voltage at a park or two, my power monitoring system clicks on and off and protects the MH. Just unclear as why an autoformer is needed.

The autoformer equipped folks are enjoying their AC while others are enjoying the clicking.

I use a waste basket for both weather protection and to keep it out of sight. With two identical waste baskets that nest, there is no wasted space when not using one for a cover.

[tmw188]

I don't have a fancy power management monitor just a voltage monitor I plug into a receptacle I keep an eye on. I've seen it as high as 129v down to 112v. Will the Hughes unit also control the high end over maybe 130 volts?

[NealC]

Originally Posted by NRR

Per Hughes site “An Autoformer running at full output (50amps) will use 1 amp, but will cause appliances to cycle more often and run cooler. This will use less total power from the park.”

Their spec is the device will add or subtract up to 10V depending on the input voltage from the pedestal. So if the input is 105V your rig sees 115V. That makes air conditioners very happy. They run cooler and longer. The Progressive devices will let your AC units try to chug along if the pedestal voltage is 105V. Not a good thing for them.

The box has the same indicators as the Progressive units with the exception of amperage usage on the newest Progressive units. Also comparing 30A to 30A units Progressive has 1790J spike protection (think lightening) and the Hughes has 4800J.

The Hughes device has two draw backs. They weigh more and they cost more. Like $109 more. Worth every penny in my mind. When I get enough pennies I am going Hughes.

I think it's 10% not 10v from their video on their site.

[NRR]

NealC you are correct. It is 10%. My bad.

[Smitty77]

Yes to mounting inside, and the 'plug & play' approach allows maximum and fast flexibility. (See Toasted Hughes below!)

Yes to running AC, while others in a park may not be able to do so. (At least 5 times in the last three years we've been able to do so.)

We mount ours in front of our EMS, because the EMS would cut out earlier then the Hughes. (Lower Voltage would be cut off by our TRC (OEM from Country Coach) Where as the Hughes would accept a bit lower voltage, do it's thing, and then pass it in thru the TRC.

Toasted Hughes - In a park in the Yukon, an unauthorized person went into the generator shed to 'fix something'. Resulted in a power surge so strong, that it melted the Hughes's internal wiring. By having the 'plug & play' approach, just unplugged the Hughes, reverting back to Shore Power feeding the TRC. (The surge did knock the then Norcold 1200 Control Board off line. So a full day driving back to Whitehorse for a tech to help us. A reset of the Control Board got us chilling again!)

I have another Hughes now (The older generation which I prefer. Craigslist find.) I also bought a used Progressive EMS, which I as I understand it, has the same Low Voltage threshold as the Hughes. So eventually I'll move this into the mix in front of the Hughes, keeping the TRC as a spare. (Hughes is more expensive to replace then the EMS.)

I consider the Hughes to be an important part of our overall electrical system.

Best to all, may the power be with you,
Smitty