HUGHES AUTOFORMERS RV2130-SP Voltage Booster with Surge Protection User Guide

PRODUCT
Maintain The Power™
USER’S GUIDE

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

All Hughes Autoformers can be used outside near a power post, under your RV, or in a ventilated compartment.
Instructions for portable use:

1. Turn off the park circuit breaker (if not already off). Plug the Autoformer into the park power receptacle, making sure it’s a tight fit.
2. Turn on the park circuit breaker and check that the amber diagnostic light is on. If it’s not, do not use this power source. Instead, report it to the park authorities so they can inspect it.
3. If the amber light is on, you now know the power is safe to use. Turn park power off again and plug your RV into the Autoformer.
4. Turn on the park power. The amber light should remain lit at all times. The red light(s) will come on if the Autoformer is doing its job, boosting the voltage.

Installing in an outside compartment:
Installation kits are available to install Autoformers in your RV’s outside storage compartment. Use the install kit so that it is removable for service or transfer to another rig. See diagram on page 9. We do not recommend that you “hard-wire” the Autoformer to your RV electrical system. Doing so could be hazardous and will also void your warranty.

Precautions:
The units are weatherproof, not waterproof. Therefore, please do not allow them to sit in or collect water, and especially watch out for sprinkler systems (water under pressure). Modifying the Autoformer in any way will void the warranty. Use the Autoformer only as it was designed. Do not use for any purpose other than intended. Do not seal holes or edges with silicone or any other material. To do so will void your warranty.
Removing the lid or making any alterations to the Autoformer will also void your warranty.
Refer to Page 11 for our technical support line if you have any questions.

OPERATIONAL TIPS

Match the Autoformer rating to your RV:
If your RV has a 4-wire power cord, you should use a 50-amp Autoformer. If your RV has a 3-wire power cord, use a 30-amp Autoformer. Always use the highest amperage power source available.
You can convert to a lower amperage outlet by using appropriate adaptors, for example: a 50-amp Autoformer can run on a 30 or 20-amp power source. Of course, you will be restricted to that lower amperage, but the Autoformer will boost the voltage when necessary. Be careful not to overload the lower amperage park power box.
Amber light:
This light will turn on when you plug the Autoformer into the park power only if the park power is safe to use. If the amber light does not stay on, do not plug your rig’s service cord into the Autoformer. Instead, use a different park power pole and report the questionable power pole to the park manager.
The 30AMP model has one red light. The 50AMP model has two; one for each power lead. Each time the Autoformer is powered up, there will be a three to five- second delay while the average incoming voltage is evaluated. Then, if the park voltage is low, the red light(s) will illuminate indicating the unit is boosting.
Surge and spike protection:
The Autoformer is designed to boost voltage. However, there is a built-in mechanism that will protect your coach from various spikes and surges. In certain instances, a surge or spike might actually damage your Autoformer while it’s protecting your RV. In this case, your Autoformer will likely need to be returned for repair.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Why is my Autoformer not boosting?
Is the park voltage over 115 volts? Check the park power. See Measuring the Park Power-on Page 11. The unit switches to the by-pass mode when over 115 volts. It will boost when the park power drops below 113 volts. The Autoformer only gets its instructions to boost or bypass the park power. It does not read or recognize the voltage inside your RV. If the park power is really low (reading below 90 volts), the Autoformer will not have enough power to work and will go into a by-pass mode (and will not boost).
Your unit may have absorbed an electrical surge or spike. The Autoformer is designed to absorb the damage while saving other appliances. If this occurs, return it to us for service (see the procedure on Page 11). Electrical surges or spikes can happen at any time and are rarely noticed by the human eye. The cause of a spike or surge could be lightning or a power outage in a shopping center miles away. Sundays are a common day for surges or spikes to occur because campers are unplugging their RVs to leave the park. It is prudent to periodically check your power cord for damage. Also, many park facilities are older and worn out. This may cause a loose connection, produce heat, and affect voltage.
Why does my Autoformer boost all the time?
Check the park power. The unit is designed to boost below 113 volts and go to by-pass at over 115 volts. If the Autoformer is boosting when the park voltage is over 115 volts, return it for service (see the procedure on page 11).
Will a coffeemaker or heater pull down the voltage at my park power pole?
The voltage at your meter inside the coach may drop as much as 5 to 10 volts if the meter is on the same line as a heater or appliance. But the park voltage may not drop enough to cause the Autoformer to boost.

Why is the voltage in my coach lower than the voltage I measured at the power pole?
The voltage to an outlet will depend on the number of electric devices plugged in and the length and size of wire from the panel to the plug (line loss). If you measure the voltage in the coach on the same circuit that a heater or coffeemaker is plugged into, you will get a lower reading due to voltage loss in the wire. The reading will not be the voltage to the coach, rather, it will be the reading of the one circuit your meter is plugged into.
Why can’t I get all the amps shown on the breaker?
Stated amperage could possibly be compromised by old breakers, low voltage, multiple users, high temperature, loose connections, or small wires.
Can I use an extension cord?
Yes, but only if it’s the proper size. To avoid voltage drop, use larger wire on longer extension cords. For 30 amp service, use 10-gauge wire or larger. For 50 amp service, use 8-gauge wire or larger. Note: wire size is larger when the gauge number is smaller.  When using an extension cord, always plug the Autoformer into it. The extension cord should always be between the Autoformer and the park receptacle.
What is the difference between the Hughes Autoformer, a Power Line Monitor, and a Surge Protector?

spike protection
Power Line Monitor| Interrupts power if the voltage is too high or
too low
Surge Protector| Surges, spikes, ground faults

HELPFUL HINTS

• Hughes Autoformers are designed to increase the voltage to your RV and help eliminate low voltage damage to your appliances.
  Unlike a boost transformer, the sense circuit in the Autoformer will adjust the output based on the load demand. For this reason, you can run additional appliances on a 30-amp input. With the increase in voltage to the RV (through the Autoformer), the amperage demand will be lower and the overall performance will be greater. Moreover, your appliances will operate smoothly and efficiently without premature wear and damage to motors and compressors. With an operation range of 95 to 115 volts input, the Autoformer will correct your RV voltage to safe and efficient levels.

• Appliance failure can be costly, as well as frustrating and inconvenient. Many AC motors burn out due to higher than rated
  current draw caused by low voltage.

• The wiring in many RVs is smaller than the wire used in homes. Therefore motors need to be lighter and smaller, and we need higher voltage and lower amperage. While the voltage at the park connection may be enough, the voltage in the RV may be lower, sometimes by several volts. The further you move away from the input, the smaller the wire and the greater the load, leading to dropped voltage. It is very common for some parks to have reduced power as much as 10 volts.

• If breakers are tripping with a small load, check the breaker and the load. If you are pulling too much power for the system, simply use fewer items at a time. Remember: the refrigerator, electric hot water heater element, and the battery charger may constantly be on and drawing power. If a breaker trips at the park pole, chances are you are using too much power for that particular breaker. Park breakers are often heavily over-used and/or abused.

CHECKING VOLTAGE

The Autoformer is designed to boost at a park voltage measuring less than 113 and to go to bypass above 115 volts. See Measuring the Park Power-on Page 11. While this is the park voltage, your RV may read less inside. The voltage at the park pole may read 117 volts while voltage in the RV is actually 111 volts or less. This is typically a percentage voltage loss within the wiring. Small voltmeters can be inaccurate by several volts, making the reading even lower. Remember, digital voltmeters are
far more accurate than analog meters.
CAUTION!
If you are not comfortable using a meter to measure electrical voltage, we recommend you seek competent professional assistance.

If you have a large drop in voltage, check the wiring, especially the neutral (white) wires. A burned plug or cord can destroy an air conditioner or refrigerator. Check the male plug at the park pole for red discoloration, which indicates a high resistance connection. You must have a load on the circuit or you will get a false reading. An easy test is to use a voltmeter and check the voltage at several places in the RV. If you have a large drop when you plug-in items, the wire could be too small for the load, you may have too many things on a circuit or a loose connection. It’s best to use an electric heater on a circuit by itself.

HOW DOES THE AUTO FORMER WORK?

At first, we are tempted to say ‘very well!’ (Although this may not be the only answer you are looking for!) Autoformers are used in commercial applications to stabilize voltage and lower the operating cost of equipment. When the park or input voltage is below 113 volts, the output is 10% over the input (boost mode). When the input is over 115 volts, the output is 2% over the input (by-pass mode). Additionally, all models have some surge and spike protection.
The Autoformer DOES NOT take power from the park. It does not affect the park or source voltage or make electricity. What it DOES is change the voltage (amperage relationship), lowering the amperage requirement by raising the voltage. Since appliances run better on higher voltage with lower amperage, less overall power is used from the park, and better service is enjoyed from your RV.
An Autoformer running at full output (30 amps) will use approximately one amp but will cause appliances to cycle on less often and run cooler. This results in using less total power from the park.
Typical Installations

ADD UP WHAT YOU’RE USING

REMINDERS

Remember:
Plug-in analog meters are only accurate within two to four volts. A digital multi-meter is much more accurate.
Measuring the park power:
Do not measure park power at the 15-amp plug because it’s on a different circuit. Use a multi-meter with probes to read the voltage at the park’s receptacle. Or use an appropriate adaptor and plug-in meter.
Technical questions and warranty support:
Phone: 888-540-1504 Monday to Friday: 8:00am–4:00pm PST
To return your Hughes Autoformer for service:
To obtain warranty support you will need proof-of-purchase (such as a dated sales receipt), unless you have previously sent in your warranty registration card. Call 888-540-1504 (see hours above). A technical advisor will ask you to provide voltage readings for park power and within your RV. You will receive a Return Authorization Number and shipping instructions. Units sent without a Return Authorization Number will cause delays.

FOR YOUR RECORDS CHART|
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Model Number:|
Serial Number:|
Purchase Date:|
Purchased From:|

Toll-Free: 888-540-1504
Phone: 714-630-6866
Fax: 714-276-1913
www.hughesautoformers.com
5558 E. La Palma Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92807

©2015. Hughes Autoformers, Inc. | 3/15 QTY: 500

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