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Topic ClosedConsidering an R-Pod 190
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Considering an R-Pod 190
    Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 3:39pm
Originally posted by GlueGuy

Originally posted by offgrid

Originally posted by StephenH

I think it would still boost the voltage, but it might increase the amperage needed, which would have the possibility of tripping a 15A breaker. I guess the answer would depend on what you would intend to operate. Some things are voltage-sensitive and sagging voltage is not good for them. The AC is one such item. 

If your supply voltage is low an autoformer should reduce the current load on the circuit not increase it, because if a transformer is increasing voltage it will simultaneously reduce current, so the power output equals the power input (less a very small loss to internal heat in the xformer). If the supply voltage is OK it won't have any effect. The Hughes site explains this pretty well. 

The current will go down downstream of the autoformer, but will go up on the upstream side. Just to be clear. So if you are on a 15amp breaker at the pedestal, and you are drawing close to the 15 amp limit. Then you put in the autoformer which boosts the voltage downstream it is possible to now trip the 15 amp breaker feeding the pedestal (because the current on that side will go up).
So, that is what I was thinking was the case. I just didn't express it adequately. I guess I was right after all.
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Posts: 2630 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 3:10pm
Originally posted by offgrid

Originally posted by StephenH

I think it would still boost the voltage, but it might increase the amperage needed, which would have the possibility of tripping a 15A breaker. I guess the answer would depend on what you would intend to operate. Some things are voltage-sensitive and sagging voltage is not good for them. The AC is one such item. 

If your supply voltage is low an autoformer should reduce the current load on the circuit not increase it, because if a transformer is increasing voltage it will simultaneously reduce current, so the power output equals the power input (less a very small loss to internal heat in the xformer). If the supply voltage is OK it won't have any effect. The Hughes site explains this pretty well. 

The current will go down downstream of the autoformer, but will go up on the upstream side. Just to be clear. So if you are on a 15amp breaker at the pedestal, and you are drawing close to the 15 amp limit. Then you put in the autoformer which boosts the voltage downstream it is possible to now trip the 15 amp breaker feeding the pedestal (because the current on that side will go up).
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 11:39am
The iGen2200 should run the AC just fine, especially if you install a Micro-Air EasyStart. Until April 30, there is a $30 discount. You won't be able to run other appliances at the same time (e.g. refrigerator on propane instead of 110V) or do the converter's bulk charge on the battery, but it should work, at least at lower elevations.

One consideration with a generator is that unlike shore power, a generator is not bonded. I made a bonding plug. They can be purchased, but it is cheaper to get a 3-prong plug and use a short piece of wire to connect the neutral and ground. This is used in one of the generator's outlets to make it act like the shore power and keep the circuit analyzer happy. Otherwise, it will throw an error.
StephenH
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 11:28am
Originally posted by offgrid

Originally posted by StephenH

I think it would still boost the voltage, but it might increase the amperage needed, which would have the possibility of tripping a 15A breaker. I guess the answer would depend on what you would intend to operate. Some things are voltage-sensitive and sagging voltage is not good for them. The AC is one such item.

If your supply voltage is low an autoformer should reduce the current load on the circuit not increase it, because if a transformer is increasing voltage it will simultaneously reduce current, so the power output equals the power input (less a very small loss to internal heat in the xformer). If the supply voltage is OK it won't have any effect. The Hughes site explains this pretty well. 
Thanks for the correction. My memory was not accurate in this case.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 11:13am
Originally posted by StephenH

I think it would still boost the voltage, but it might increase the amperage needed, which would have the possibility of tripping a 15A breaker. I guess the answer would depend on what you would intend to operate. Some things are voltage-sensitive and sagging voltage is not good for them. The AC is one such item.

If your supply voltage is low an autoformer should reduce the current load on the circuit not increase it, because if a transformer is increasing voltage it will simultaneously reduce current, so the power output equals the power input (less a very small loss to internal heat in the xformer). If the supply voltage is OK it won't have any effect. The Hughes site explains this pretty well. 
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Posts: 57 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 10:33am
And yes I was talking about plugging it into a standard 15 amp with adapter.  I know that will not run the AC or microwave.  I was just wondering if the booster would cause issues in that situation.  I will reach out to Hughes.
I also have a iGen2200 inverter/generator, that also probably won't run the AC, but it can be paralleled and considering getting a 2nd one as that should run the AC.  

I pick up my 190 in 2 weeks, it is 3 states away, then I will immediately be using it for work with no 30 amp access.  Getting everything together without having it the 190 on me is proving to be difficult!  Fortunately I shouldn't need the AC for a while.
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 10:22am
For now, I have been putting a plastic cover over it. That is why I have been thinking of figuring out a way to mount it inside.

Edit: The first one I saw at the rally, the owner had inverted a 5-gallon bucket over the top of it so it was protected. He also had it sitting on a couple of blocks so it was elevated off the ground.
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Posts: 57 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 10:19am
How do you protect it from rain?
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 10:07am
Originally posted by vbdomenico

Thanks again everyone.

Stephen, are you talking about 30 am Booster and Surge Protector: 
https://hughesautoformers.com/product/30-amp-3600-watt-booster-with-surge/

If so where do you place it if you hardwire it?  Also, I will more often than not be either using a generator, or plugging into a standard 120 outlet as the main use for my R-pod will be work, and I will be parking at job sites not campgrounds.  Will the booster help when using a 120 adapter?

That is the one I have. I have not hard-wired it because I have not figured out where to put it if I do. There are two possibilities:

1. On the 179, the power inlet is located at the rear corner behind a removable panel below the shelf under to the right of the sink. It could potentially go there. It could be boxed off and a piece of acrylic or polycarbonate plastic used to make a window to view the lights.

2. Also, there is space behind the power panel in the 179. It could potentially mount there. However, it is unlikely that a window could be made to view the status lights.

I'm not sure where it could be mounted in the 190 because I have not seen how one of those is laid out. If the power input is in the rear corner as in the 179, then it looks like one could be mounted in the rear pass-through under the dinette.

As for 110V adapter, I'm not sure what you mean. Are you referring to an adapter for plugging into a 15A outlet? If so, I am not sure. That would be a question for Hughes. It is meant to be plugged into a 30A outlet. I would not expect a 15A outlet to be optimal. You would not be able to run the AC reliably on 15A, especially if the converter is also charging the battery.  I have not tested it with the Generac iX2000 that I have yet. I will probably do that now that you asked the question. I think it would still boost the voltage, but it might increase the amperage needed, which would have the possibility of tripping a 15A breaker. I guess the answer would depend on what you would intend to operate. Some things are voltage-sensitive and sagging voltage is not good for them. The AC is one such item.
StephenH
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Posts: 57 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2020 at 9:52am
I meant to type 110 outlet...
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