When you own an RV, you want to protect it along with all your belonging inside. Power fluctuations are common in RV parks, which is a potential hazard to your RVs electrical components and your electronic items. If you happen to hook up to faulty park power, you run the risk of losing all your electronics in your RV.
It can be expensive to replace televisions, air conditioners, and microwaves. Having a good RV autoformer will protect your rig and all its electrical components. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best RV Autoformer.
Top 3 Best RV Autoformer Reviews
Hughes Autoformers RV220-50-SP
[row][column size=”1/2″]
On the heavy side, it weighs 35 pounds, but it doesn’t take up a lot of space. It also allows extra appliances to run on its 30-amp connection since it can boost the available wattage to run without needing any more power from the RV park.
It is a simple to use device. All you need to do is plug it into the power pole at the RV park and then plug the RV into the unit. It also comes a lock to keep it secure and a power cord that is long enough to reach the power receptacle while the unit sits on the ground.
[row][column size=”1/2″][box title=”What we liked” box_color=”#1E824C” radius=”0″][list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#2ba42e”][list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#2ba42e”]It is easy to use, comes with a lock, and doesn’t take up a lot of space
This is a great product to have on over 100-degree days when an RV park is low on voltage
It is useful to check if a power source is bad before you plug your RV in and fry all your electronics inside
It relies on a relay for operation, which sometimes sticks
It is too much to monitor for some users
Hughes Performance RV22050 Autoformer
[row][column size=”1/2″]
The RV220-50 also includes a boost indicator light and features a complete LED park power diagnostic. And, it has 4800 joules of advanced protection built into the unit.
This unit is also replaceable. Plus, it is one of the few that is a U.S patented Voltage boosting solution. The RV220-50 also comes with a two-year limited warranty. [row][column size=”1/2″][box title=”What we liked” box_color=”#1E824C” radius=”0″][list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#2ba42e”][list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#2ba42e”]
Your AC units run much more efficiently with this device plugged in.
It helps keep the AC devices from an early death due to poor voltage
The surge protection is an added bonus since it does a great job of maintaining voltage to an RV throughout the day
It doesn’t work with all motor home precision power systems
It can cause power problems with transformers
Hughes Autoformers RV2130-SP
[row][column size=”1/2″]
The RV2130-SP comes with a 4 ½ foot power cord and a lock to prevent it from being stolen. Plus, you get a three-year limited warranty. And, Hughes will give you one free replacement if the unit is used up within the first two years that you own it. [row][column size=”1/2″][box title=”What we liked” box_color=”#1E824C” radius=”0″][list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#2ba42e”][list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#2ba42e”]
It is light enough to move it from RV campsite to RV campsite
It comes with a lock, so it won’t be stolen
You can get a new one from Hughes if it is used up in the first two years
The voltage only boosts to a minimum of about 8%
The level of boost can cause the breaker to trip
What is an RV Autoformer?
An RV autoformer can protect your RV and your electronic equipment from damage caused by voltage fluctuation. Some of these can even protect your RV from high and low voltages and detect reverse polarity, open neutral, or open ground.
Basically, this is an important device that can regulate the supply of volts to pretty much any electrical device. It works by shorting or blocking the voltage supply to a device, It can keep the electrical power that is coming into the device from going above a safe threshold.
The power system in a campground can be unpredictable, particularly in an older RV park. You will find utility poles are set up on a chain. So, if there is a problem in with an RV a few sites away, it can have an impact on other RVs that are connected to the same system. The power that is available on a system can fluctuate when people are turning their appliances on and off.
How does it Work?
When one RV pulls too much power from the system, it will reduce how much power is available to all the others that are connected within that system. In a low voltage situation, you will find that it can be just as destructive to electronics as a power surge is. If you own an RV, you can protect your RV and your electronics by using an autoformer.
Although there are misconceptions that it pulls power away from the park, this is not the case. It really protects the park by keeping the number of amps low that are needed by the RV. It changes the amperage relationship by lowering it and raising the voltage. Appliances actually run better on a higher voltage and lower amperage using less power overall from the park. However, some RV parks do prohibit their use from park owners that misunderstand how they work.
Considerations When Choosing an RV Autoformer
Joules rating
One of the main considerations when buying an RV autoformer is the Joules rating. This tells you the amount of protection or surge suppression will give you RV. Look for the product with a higher Joules rating to make sure it will be able to stop overheating.
UL listed
Having a model that is UL certified guarantees that you have bought a quality product that will keep your RV protected from power surges. It will also tell you that the product is a good quality and durable that will last you a while.
Amp rating
If the autoformer does not have some electricity running from it, it won’t be able to function correctly.. Always check the amp rating when you buy it to make sure it is the right amount for your RV.
Installation
Obviously, you want something easy to install. Always check the unit’s manual to make sure you have a guide to help install the autoformer to your RV. If it is your first time installing and using the device, look for something that has a plug and play design that guarantees easy operation and installation.
Weight
A lightweight product will be easy to move, so you can take it from one RV park to another. It should also be compact, but constructed of sturdy materials that can withstand weather and outdoor conditions. If you have to move it regularly, it’s important to find one that isn’t too heavy. Otherwise, it is a lot of weight to put in your vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Finding a lightweight but effective autoformer is a great way to guarantee the safety of your RV and your electronics. With all the power fluctuations that occur in RV parks, there is a real potential hazard to your RVs electrical components and your electronic items. Using an RV autoformer helps to protect you from the risk of losing all your electronics in your RV and the expense of having to replace or repair them. I hope you liked our Hughes autoformer reviews as we did when writing about it. Please drop a comment if you have any questions. Good day!!!!