Most, if not all of us who have an imported RV in Europe are using either the RV's standard Electrics running on a 110v ->120 v with a step down transformer or have had some form of basic Electrical conversion whereby a dealer has installed several 240v plug sockets and a step down transformer for the 110v appliances. The problem with both of these is that the appliances that were supplied with RV were/are designed to work on 60Hz and not 50Hz as supplied in Europe. The other very worrying thing is that items such as the Air Con, fridge,washing machine and Microwave will run extremely hot if used continuously at the wrong Frequency (50Hz). The other spin off of this is, that even if the units don't burn out (and in extremes catch fire) the life of the item will be dramatically reduced.
I have carried extensive research into this subject and every web site or newsgroup that I have read (some a little more dramatic than others) will highlight the dangers of such practices. So why don't UK dealers and RV electricians fit the correct product to eliminate this problem. It would appears that no one is able to source a product that will both reduce the voltage down and convert the Frequency. The only products that are available to cope with the amp demand are around ?6000 and about the size of a washing machine. That IS UNTIL NOW.
I have now managed to find a company that I have send the required specs to and have now had a unit manufactured just for the RV market, the unit around the size of the standard Grey Box (30mm x 30mm x 40mm) step down transformer. This unit will not only convert the European 50Hz to the required 60Hz but it will also supply a stable 120V from an input of anywhere between 190v -->260v, so absolutely perfect for those campsite that voltages fluctuates all over the place depending on demand and distance from the sub station.
The bit that I can't get my head round is that people are buying RV's from ?50,000 up to ?250,000 and yet are quite happy to have a ?200.00 transformer fitter that could potentially cause a fire in their prize procession. If you would like any more details let me know
regards
g
I have carried extensive research into this subject and every web site or newsgroup that I have read (some a little more dramatic than others) will highlight the dangers of such practices. So why don't UK dealers and RV electricians fit the correct product to eliminate this problem. It would appears that no one is able to source a product that will both reduce the voltage down and convert the Frequency. The only products that are available to cope with the amp demand are around ?6000 and about the size of a washing machine. That IS UNTIL NOW.
I have now managed to find a company that I have send the required specs to and have now had a unit manufactured just for the RV market, the unit around the size of the standard Grey Box (30mm x 30mm x 40mm) step down transformer. This unit will not only convert the European 50Hz to the required 60Hz but it will also supply a stable 120V from an input of anywhere between 190v -->260v, so absolutely perfect for those campsite that voltages fluctuates all over the place depending on demand and distance from the sub station.
The bit that I can't get my head round is that people are buying RV's from ?50,000 up to ?250,000 and yet are quite happy to have a ?200.00 transformer fitter that could potentially cause a fire in their prize procession. If you would like any more details let me know
regards
g