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08-02-2006, 07:40 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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Autoformer Alert
Don't use your Autoformer with a generator. We were recently without power because of the heat so I fired up the ol generator without even thinking that I had the Autoformer hooked up. Everything went well for a few minutes then all at once the voltage took a nosedive and I turned the generator off. After power was restored my voltage was low even though the Autoformer indicated it was boosting. Out of curiosity I removed the Autoformer and my voltage jumped up. I talked with Hughes today and they said the Autoformer is not designed to operate with a generator and that my unit has been damaged but that they can usually be repaired for $100 or so. Now if I can just find a box to ship it in
"No matter where you go there you are"
Charlie & Nila
Fulltiming,formerly Hadley,MI
"presently in Hadley "
"2004" 3575RL
"2001" 2500HD, 8.1
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08-02-2006, 09:37 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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That information will be saved . I did not know that and don't remember reading it on their web site???
Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.
F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box
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08-02-2006, 09:41 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tipton
Posts: 3,646
M.O.C. #191
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Rich,
Al checked the web site, I don't think he found it there.
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08-02-2006, 02:09 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chandler
Posts: 624
M.O.C. #740
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Charlie,
Just went through the same thing. Hot Day, Borrowed Gen, went to hook up and couldn't resolve in my mind what might happen with my A/F. So I guess I was lucky and made the desision to disconnect my A/F. Glad I did by reading your post.
I just had our A/F repaired because of a possible spike before we left home this Summer. Thankfully It was under warrenty. Thinking on that, isn't yours still under warrenty? Mine is for 5 years. I had to pay for shiping to them $15 and give them a check for re-shipping $25.
My problem might have come from un-pluging with the power on.
Thanks for the post.
Steve & Nina
03 Mountaineer TT 335RLBS
2000 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab LB V10 2WD Posi. Reese HP Dual Cam
Prodigy-K&N-Mobil 1
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08-03-2006, 03:49 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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I'm going to show my ignorance and ask if anyone can explain why generator power through an autoformer is a problem. To this uninformed mind, electrical power at 110v is the same regardless of source. Obviously I am not very knowledgeable. Can someone explain this? I remember things better when I understand them. Thanks.
See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4
Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)
 
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08-03-2006, 03:53 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tipton
Posts: 3,646
M.O.C. #191
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Steve,
Al called Hughes on this yesterday afternoon, their answer was "a generator is not grounded, the autoformer is not designed to work with a source that is not grounded". That is what they told Al yesterday afternoon.
Carol
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08-03-2006, 03:57 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Zachary
Posts: 324
M.O.C. #4142
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I'm with Steve on that one. Unless you were hooked up to a 30 amp output on your gen. and you have a 50 amp. a/f and it was trying to keep the amps. up there in the 50 amp range and it burnt up the circuit board in there.
Darrell&Pam
06 3670
99 F250 P.S. C.C.
Banks Stinger Plus
Husky 16k glider
Trans command
Super Springs
Huntly-Yorkie
Zachary,La.
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08-03-2006, 09:09 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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Thanks, Carol and Al.
Darrell, I sure hope connecting a 50amp a/f to 30 amps on a park post isn't a problem. I do that a lot, using my Montana's 30 amp cord with adapters to the Montana and the A/F, then from the A/F to the park's 30 amp outlet. I do this whenever I don't want to bother with the 50 amp monster cord but want the protection of the a/f. I sure hope I'm not risking damage to the a/f.
See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4
Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)
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08-04-2006, 07:49 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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Steve,
You can hook a 50 amp a/f to 30 amp with no problem according to the manual.
Azstar,
Yes mine is under warranty but I can't find the darned receipt, so it's going to be expensive. Shipping from Michigan is $47
"No matter where you go there you are"
Charlie & Nila
Fulltiming,formerly Hadley,MI
"presently in Hadley "
"2004" 3575RL
"2001" 2500HD, 8.1
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08-04-2006, 10:35 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Spokane Vallley
Posts: 268
M.O.C. #3532
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Thanks for the info on using a generator with the autoformer. Most likely saved me some money down the road.... 
Our Travels:Lstierw
2005 Big Sky 3670RL
1999 Ford F350, 7.3 Power stroke Diesel
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