iguana07
Ventura, CA. USA
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I am in the market for a voltage regulator. I have a 50 amp RV and also have a 50amp Smart Surge, plug in surge protector with a 900 joules and 30,000 amp surge current rating.
We camped for a month last year in a park that constantly had low voltage, usually around 107 down to 104 occasionally, took forever to use micro. I noticed some RVers had voltage boosters and could operate their appliances without problem. We will be at this park for 2 months this next winter and I want to purchase a voltage booster.
I have found 4 different brands and I would like your opinions as to witch one is the best. Also do I place my surge protector before the transformer/power booster or after, between the RV and booster?
These are the brands I have found:
TEC Surge Guard
PowerMaster Voltage Controller model #VC-50
Franks Voltage Booster
Hughes Autoformer
If you know of others please advise.
Thanks for all the HELP!
Chuck
Chuck/Sandy/&Maya the Sheltie & Kharma the Mutt
2002 Rexhall Roseair 39'DP
Toads = 1967 VW Bug,1976 CJ5 or HHR
 
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
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billyjoeraybob
Midlands of SC
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Don't mean to hijack your thread but.....Low voltage affected your microwave? I was at a CG earlier this month and thought my Micro was broken. It ran fine just would not heat anything. We took the TT home after the trip and plugged it into our 30 amp hook up and the micro worked just fine. I suspected low voltage at the CG was the culprit. Glad I didn't take it to the dealer for repair. He would have thought I lost my mind!
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Wayne Dohnal
Banks, OR.
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The cooking power of microwave ovens is highly dependent on the voltage. Low voltage significantly cuts the cooking power.
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smkettner
Southern California
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I have the Frank's 30 amp superautomatic and it works fine. Although if spending money today I would get the new Hughes RV-430 (RV-450 in your case). Powermaster would be my second choice for reasons unknown.
If the surge protector cuts power from low voltage it will need to be after the booster.
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DeweyClawson
Enon Valley, PA
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I vote for the Hughes autoformer, and that is what is in my coach.
From the pedestal: surge protector, autoformer, transfer switch, microwave. JMHO.
Some people would put the protection down stream of the transfer sw so as to guard against faults in the generator. I do not think that is necessary. Also, I doubt the surge protector has any low voltage protection. Usually those things just look for the spikes.
The fool learns from his own mistakes.
It is the wise man who learns from the mistakes of others.
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iguana07
Ventura, CA. USA
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Not sure if I am convinced that the Hughes is the best. Hoping that I would hear from some owners of the Surge Guard and Powermaster.
smkettner,
If you own a Franks and it works just fine can you tell me why you would buy a Hughes? Have you had problems with the Franks?
I appreciate all responses
Thanks
Chuck
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smkettner
Southern California
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Keep in mind that mine is just 30 amps and 30 amp RVs often run close to the max when the air is on.
Three things:
1) 35amp thermal breaker opens before the 30 amp breaker at the pedestal or in the trailer.
2) The superautomatic cuts power when voltage is too high or too low to boost but has no delay for turning back on. At least one time it was on-off-on-off in rapid succession and that cannot be good for anything. It was from slightly high voltage from my generator with no load. Has not happened boosting utility power.
3) Seems to hang in low boost too long and will hold close to 127 volts when bypass would be fine. Maybe they all do this to an extent.
Otherwise it does work and boost voltage just as claimed. There are two 50amp versions (4 wire power) with one a full 50 amps and the other is 35amps. They call it 100amp and 70 amp. Just don't try to save money and expect more than it gives.
I initially bought the franks because it had more boost in two steps compared to Hughes. And with the voltage monitoring I thought I was all set.
I now have a Progressive EMS to watch voltage and verify no wiring errors so I don't need that function. The Pr EMS has a delay to turn power back on.
The new Hughes now has more boost in three stages.
I have read a few posts on Powermaster and concensus seems good.
Do you have a link to the other brand?
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Fritz62
Las Cruces, NM
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Chuck,
I have had a VC-50 from PowerMaster for almost three years now. It is perminatly installed. I am a full timer, so it is always in-line.
Prior to the PowerMaster I had both the Hughes RV220-50 and before that, Frank's Super Booster (which was a piece of junk).
In the period of time that I have had the VC-50, I have not experienced one bit of a problem. It boosts when it should and I know that I have 3,580 joules of surge protection on all incoming legs. That is more surge protection than what is offered by Surge Guard.
Fritz
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iguana07
Ventura, CA. USA
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smkettner,
here is a link to the new surge guard
http://www.trci.net/products/surge-guard/sg-voltage-regulator
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smkettner
Southern California
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http://www.trci.net/products/surge-guard/sg-voltage-regulator
Thanks.
Here is another but is only 20 amps. It will buck or boost to keep you good from 89 to 147 volts. I have read lots of posts of high voltage from those that travel in Mexico.
Tripp Lite LC2400
* This post was
edited 11/02/09 10:00pm by smkettner *
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