RV power issues at Crazy Horse?

[STV_Keith]

Over the weekend we had reserved a RV spot on the North Beach. When we arrived, I plugged my Hughes Autoformer into the 50a receptacle and it showed an open or miswired neutral connection. Now this box is not some cheap trinket (over $700 - https://hughesautoformers.com/product/50-amp-12000-watt-booster-and-surge/ ), so I tend to believe what it's telling me...and that was not to plug in to this pole for fear of electrical issues. I checked the next spot over with 50a and it showed the same issue.

Now, there were other RV's all around us, and they were plugged in. I'm not sure if it's not an issue or they just didn't know of the issue, but I wasn't willing to take a chance. 2 weeks prior we had stayed at CH in a different spot, so I went back over to that spot on D row and plugged in the autoformer. It showed no issue there, so we moved spots for the weekend.

My question is has anyone connected to power at CH and had electrical issues during or after their stay?

 

[Buster]

I used to stay at CH all the time down in the VIP area. One time I pulled into VIP 2 and had the same issue, nothing would work in my rig (it was 110 degree's so AC was a must) so I went to the office and they sent over the maint guy and found an open neutral. They had to dig about a 8' trench with a backhoe to find the break. They fixed it after a few hours and all was good the rest of the weekend.

 

[Inland Air Balance]

They rewired the place last winter and fried a bunch shit in quite a few of us up on top. The electrical contractor was a fucking clown of wanna be's. Wouldn't suprise me. Electrical work has always been skechy there.

 

[STV_Keith]

So we were back at CH this weekend for the F1 boat races. Stayed in D-row again, but I did take a bike ride down to the beach. Rode past the spot I had issues in when I made this post...NB-19. This is what I found in front of that spot. Something looks amiss to me.

 

[Inland Air Balance]

So we were back at CH this weekend for the F1 boat races. Stayed in D-row again, but I did take a bike ride down to the beach. Rode past the spot I had issues in when I made this post...NB-19. This is what I found in front of that spot. Something looks amiss to me.

Looks about right for Crazy Horse. Been there 20+ years, Electrical has never been a high priority. I remember when they would open the main electrical panels up behind the store near the pool and point multiple fans into the cabinets, all while putting signage everwhere stating that the power company was the issue not them.

 

[STV_Keith]

Yeah, I think we're going to try the Islander for our next visit.

 

[rush1]

Yeah, I think we're going to try the Islander for our next visit.

In the summer time my hughes autoformer is always boosting there power ,at peak times there down to 103 volts on each leg. The rest of the year it's okay there.

 

[USMC2010]

Several years ago I was at north beach with my Lance. The power box had voltage on my frame and I got shocked touching my awning. Their electrician then was a joke, apparently still is.

 

[Taboma]

In the summer time my hughes autoformer is always boosting there power ,at peak times there down to 103 volts on each leg. The rest of the year it's okay there.

Odd that you'd want to advertise that fact on a website with other members who are Islander residents and now know you (And I'm sure a few other RVer "Hughes users" ) are responsible for making their voltage problems even worse.
That is how that works ya know, because Autotransformers don't just somehow magically create extra energy, nope, on the contrary they steal from Peter to pay Paul.

 

[Icky]

Odd that you'd want to advertise that fact on a website with other members who are Islander residents and now know you (And I'm sure a few other RVer "Hughes users" ) are responsible for making their voltage problems even worse.
That is how that works ya know, because Autotransformers don't just somehow magically create extra energy, nope, on the contrary they steal from Peter to pay Paul.

If the power was working correctly the Hughes wouldn't need to steal power from anyone else

 

[rush1]

Odd that you'd want to advertise that fact on a website with other members who are Islander residents and now know you (And I'm sure a few other RVer "Hughes users" ) are responsible for making their voltage problems even worse.
That is how that works ya know, because Autotransformers don't just somehow magically create extra energy, nope, on the contrary they steal from Peter to pay
To be honest with you I've never even thought about how it works ,I know it boost the voltage at my house when I'm plugged in there too.

 

[rush1]

How Does it Work? - Hughes Autoformers

At first we are tempted to say very ‘well’. But this may not be the answer you are looking for! Autoformers are used in industries to stabilize voltage and lower the operating cost of equipment. The Autoformer has 5 windings: 2 primary and 3 secondary. All models have surge and spike protection...

hughesautoformers.com

According to hughes it does not take power from the park it boost voltage only by using windings as heavy as it is I believe it.

 

[HBCraig]

Over the weekend we had reserved a RV spot on the North Beach. When we arrived, I plugged my Hughes Autoformer into the 50a receptacle and it showed an open or miswired neutral connection. Now this box is not some cheap trinket (over $700 - https://hughesautoformers.com/product/50-amp-12000-watt-booster-and-surge/ ), so I tend to believe what it's telling me...and that was not to plug in to this pole for fear of electrical issues. I checked the next spot over with 50a and it showed the same issue.

Now, there were other RV's all around us, and they were plugged in. I'm not sure if it's not an issue or they just didn't know of the issue, but I wasn't willing to take a chance. 2 weeks prior we had stayed at CH in a different spot, so I went back over to that spot on D row and plugged in the autoformer. It showed no issue there, so we moved spots for the weekend.

My question is has anyone connected to power at CH and had electrical issues during or after their stay?

Keith
I can't speak on CH, but when I had me trailer and then later my motorhome I was on 30 p service. I put a multimeter to the outlet and it would register right at 23 to 24 amps. This was a few years back but I can tell you it wouldn't pull the full amperage. I don't know if this could attribute to your problem at CH but I wanted to share.

 

[Taboma]

If the power was working correctly the Hughes wouldn't need to steal power from anyone else

So it's OK for your neighbor and their neighbor and their neighbor, until the entire system fails, then everybody will be equal.

I understand your "Survival of the fittest" mentality, it's a animalistic condition us human types are born with.

It's the advertising yourself as "That Guy" I was commenting on.

 

[Singleton]

Yeah, I think we're going to try the Islander for our next visit.

Only power issue we experience at the Islander is when the temp goes over 116 and the resort is full of people.
Only had 1 power issue this year and that was on Father’s Day weekend when the temps were over 120.
Summer 2020 had multiple issues, when over 116 and no empty spots. That is when I fire up the ToyHauler generator and only use 2 AC’s until the power is back on. Last year the entire island lost power twice.

 

[Taboma]

How Does it Work? - Hughes Autoformers

At first we are tempted to say very ‘well’. But this may not be the answer you are looking for! Autoformers are used in industries to stabilize voltage and lower the operating cost of equipment. The Autoformer has 5 windings: 2 primary and 3 secondary. All models have surge and spike protection...

hughesautoformers.com

According to hughes it does not take power from the park it boost voltage only by using windings as heavy as it is I believe it.

I'm not here to conduct a class on electrical theory. The information is well published.

So you believe that a heavy transformer actually creates energy --- that it doesn't transform it, which means it has to come from somewhere else, but actually creates it Cool

 

[Taboma]

Only power issue we experience at the Islander is when the temp goes over 116 and the resort is full of people.
Only had 1 power issue this year and that was on Father’s Day weekend when the temps were over 120.
Summer 2020 had multiple issues, when over 116 and no empty spots. That is when I fire up the ToyHauler generator and only use 2 AC’s until the power is back on. Last year the entire island lost power twice.

Smart man

 

[liquid addiction]

So we were back at CH this weekend for the F1 boat races. Stayed in D-row again, but I did take a bike ride down to the beach. Rode past the spot I had issues in when I made this post...NB-19. This is what I found in front of that spot. Something looks amiss to me.

Looks like a "ground" to me.

 

[rush1]

I'm not here to conduct a class on electrical theory. The information is well published.

So you believe that a heavy transformer actually creates energy --- that it doesn't transform it, which means it has to come from somewhere else, but actually creates it Cool

No I don't think it "creates power" I believe it's just a step up voltage transformer,I also think when it's over a 120 outside everyones power probably sucks unless you live 10 feet from the power plant !

 

[Taboma]

No I don't think it "creates power" I believe it's just a step up voltage transformer,I also think when it's over a 120 outside everyones power probably sucks unless you live 10 feet from the power plant !

Well Ok then, I'll leave you to your beliefs. Great Chat

The VAR is strong in this one.

 

[STV_Keith]

Odd that you'd want to advertise that fact on a website with other members who are Islander residents and now know you (And I'm sure a few other RVer "Hughes users" ) are responsible for making their voltage problems even worse.
That is how that works ya know, because Autotransformers don't just somehow magically create extra energy, nope, on the contrary they steal from Peter to pay Paul.

The Autoformers can't pull more power from the pole than what the pole can provide. You can't "steal power" from the next pole over.

How a Step-Up Transformer Works?

When alternating current is passed through the primary coil or the input of the transformer, a changing magnetic field is created in the iron core. This magnetic field then activates AC current with similar frequency in the secondary coil or the output of the transformer. Generally, a step-up transformer comes with more turns of wire in the secondary coil that increases the received voltage in the secondary coil. This way, it is called a step-up transformer as the secondary output voltage is larger than the primary input voltage.The amount of output voltage in comparison with the input voltage increases twofold if the secondary coil has twice as many turns of wire.

Hence, in simple words, a step up transformer increases the electricity voltage from lower to higher in the secondary coil according to the requirement or the application.The voltage is increased from the primary winding to the secondary winding in a way that makes the power supply adaptable with the equipment. This means, if you are supposed to use an electrical device that operates with 220v and the main power supply is just 110v; the step-up transformer will increase the 110v to a level that will comply with the power requirement of the given device.

 

[Taboma]

The Autoformers can't pull more power from the pole than what the pole can provide. You can't "steal power" from the next pole over.

How a Step-Up Transformer Works?

When alternating current is passed through the primary coil or the input of the transformer, a changing magnetic field is created in the iron core. This magnetic field then activates AC current with similar frequency in the secondary coil or the output of the transformer. Generally, a step-up transformer comes with more turns of wire in the secondary coil that increases the received voltage in the secondary coil. This way, it is called a step-up transformer as the secondary output voltage is larger than the primary input voltage.The amount of output voltage in comparison with the input voltage increases twofold if the secondary coil has twice as many turns of wire.

Hence, in simple words, a step up transformer increases the electricity voltage from lower to higher in the secondary coil according to the requirement or the application.The voltage is increased from the primary winding to the secondary winding in a way that makes the power supply adaptable with the equipment. This means, if you are supposed to use an electrical device that operates with 220v and the main power supply is just 110v; the step-up transformer will increase the 110v to a level that will comply with the power requirement of the given device.

Do you understand what VAR is ? Do you understand AC power factor ?
Do you understand that DC power (Watts) is an equation of Volts X Amps --- But alas, AC power is expressed as VAR., it's the Reactance part of that equation or the illusion of power that can cause additional stress on an already stressed to the max system. Does one RV with Buck and Boost transformer unduly stress the system, unlikely, does 20 ? Just which straw is the one that knocks the lights out. When you understand reactive power, then you'll understand where the potential for problems arise.

 

[STV_Keith]

Here's what I know. I paid the same for the spot I'm camped at as anyone else. The Autoformer protects MY rig from low power as best it can...something else I spent $600ish dollars on. You're right, I only care what happens to my rig when I'm plugged in. Everyone should feel the same IMO. The PARK is the one that should be getting their stuff together if they cannot provide the power they claim to.

 

[Taboma]

Here's what I know. I paid the same for the spot I'm camped at as anyone else. The Autoformer protects MY rig from low power as best it can...something else I spent $600ish dollars on. You're right, I only care what happens to my rig when I'm plugged in. Everyone should feel the same IMO. The PARK is the one that should be getting their stuff together if they cannot provide the power they claim to.

Most of the RV and even trailer parks in Havasu were built many years ago with capacities designed for far less demand than modern 2-AC unit RVs and certainly didn't account for the addition of so many Park Models with 3 ton package AC units.
To upgrade the entire electrical infrastructures now would be extremely expensive, so it doesn't get done. In a very basic sense, the Autotransformer (Which the Hughes version is essentially a very hi-tech example of) is not designed as is the Step-Up Transformer you provided info on in the previous post. An Autotransformer (Commonly referred to as a Buck and Boost) only has a primary winding, it's not considered a separately derived source as is a Step Up or Down transformer, which has both primary and secondary windings. Autotransformers essentially trade Amps for Volts, but can create less than ideal Power Factor (Reactive power). In other words, load stress that produces no work.

Do what you want, I don't care, I'm not trying to tell anybody not to do it, I simply suggested perhaps not putting it on the evening news if you are.

 

[STV_Keith]

So what you are saying is that Crazy Horse is too cheap to upgrade their aging infrastructure, but too greedy not to rent so many spots that there's an issue? Again, sounds like an issue with the PARK, not the people paying good money to stay there.

 

[STV_Keith]

Do what you want, I don't care, I'm not trying to tell anybody not to do it, I simply suggested perhaps not putting it on the evening news if you are.

The fact that I have to use an Autoformer to ensure my rig is not damaged by their substandard infrastructure is the issue. I have no issue putting it on the evening news so that everyone else that stays there knows the possible implications of plugging into their questionable power.

 

[rrrr]

Most of the RV and even trailer parks in Havasu were built many years ago with capacities designed for far less demand than modern 2-AC unit RVs and certainly didn't account for the addition of so many Park Models with 3 ton package AC units.
To upgrade the entire electrical infrastructures now would be extremely expensive, so it doesn't get done.

Those Havasu parks have failed to upgrade their electrical distribution system over the years. But I'm quite sure they have increased their prices over the same period to keep up with the rates charged by the nicer snowbird parks.

The snowbird parks have been built in the last 20 years and do accommodate modern RVs with increased electrical requirements.

Funny how that works.

 

[Singleton]

Power issues at Crazy Horse is a known issue. If you don’t have a protective device (more then a surge protector) you risk damage to your rig.

 

[Taboma]

Those Havasu parks have failed to upgrade their electrical distribution system over the years. But I'm quite sure they have increased their prices over the same period to keep up with the rates charged by the nicer snowbird parks.

The snowbird parks have been built in the last 20 years and do accommodate modern RVs with increased electrical requirements.

Funny how that works.

You bet the parks have amped up their rent. But on the island since almost all the land those parks are sitting on is AZ State Trust land, much of the rent increases are due to the ##%&$ bidding wars between prospective buyers, when the state holds it's auctions.
The other thing is, Park Models using creative means to get approved room additions, they are no longer 450 SF single bedroom units, they're two bedroom, two bath homes and instead of propane stoves, have gone all electric in the kitchens on top of additional AC's, all on 50 amp services.
The Islander has installed numerous Park Models that were previously RV sites, as has Crazy Horse.

The old 'River Rat' mentality might still be alive way down south, but in Havasu, everybody be stylin gold chains and led lights on everything that moves.

 

[Singleton]

You bet the parks have amped up their rent. But on the island since almost all the land those parks are sitting on is AZ State Trust land, much of the rent increases are due to the ##%&$ bidding wars between prospective buyers, when the state holds it's auctions.
The other thing is, Park Models using creative means to get approved room additions, they are no longer 450 SF single bedroom units, they're two bedroom, two bath homes and instead of propane stoves, have gone all electric in the kitchens on top of additional AC's, all on 50 amp services.
The Islander has installed numerous Park Models that were previously RV sites, as has Crazy Horse.

The old 'River Rat' mentality might still be alive way down south, but in Havasu, everybody be stylin gold chains and led lights on everything that moves.

So glad the Islander has discontinued all future park model expansion! Space rent is still cheaper then next door.

 

[HTTP404]

Only on RDP can a question about the attributes of an RV park's electrical infrastructure become an argument.

 

[Taboma]

So glad the Islander has discontinued all future park model expansion! Space rent is still cheaper then next door.

Is the Islander good to go with many years left on it's state lease ? I don't recall hearing of any auction wars like what occurred at the Beachcomber.

 

[Taboma]

Only on RDP can a question about the attributes of an RV park's electrical infrastructure become an argument.

Yes, but somehow the complete absence of politics, left the entire discussion wanting for more. Surely there's a politician behind the curtain manipulating the park power to exert control.

 

[HTTP404]

Yes, but somehow the complete absence of politics, left the entire discussion wanting for more. Surely there's a politician behind the curtain manipulating the park power to exert control.

No, no, no, no. I love a good technical argument. I learned something today.

For the record have to agree with @STV_Keith on this one.

 

[guest hs]

Do you understand what VAR is ? Do you understand AC power factor ?
Do you understand that DC power (Watts) is an equation of Volts X Amps --- But alas, AC power is expressed as VAR., it's the Reactance part of that equation or the illusion of power that can cause additional stress on an already stressed to the max system. Does one RV with Buck and Boost transformer unduly stress the system, unlikely, does 20 ? Just which straw is the one that knocks the lights out. When you understand reactive power, then you'll understand where the potential for problems arise.

Ha ha that’s funny you go boy!

 

[Singleton]

Is the Islander good to go with many years left on it's state lease ? I don't recall hearing of any auction wars like what occurred at the Beachcomber.

that is a really good question, no idea when the land lease renewal is up

 

[JB in so cal]

that is a really good question, no idea when the land lease renewal is up

I'd guess with all of the park models being added, Boathouse expanding, and pool plaster they're gonna be fine

 

[rush1]

Is the Islander good to go with many years left on it's state lease ? I don't recall hearing of any auction wars like what occurred at the Beachcomber.

They redid the lease just a few years ago. They should be good to go for a long time.