Your RV Needs a GOOD Surge Protector! Hughes Power Watchdog Review
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2019
- One of the most important measures you can take to protect your RV investment is to utilize a surge protector every time you plug into electricity. Why? Campground service is notorious for voltage issues, miswired poles, malfunctioning breakers, and corroded receptacles. But more importantly, a lightning strike or other surge can destroy all the electronic components in your RV in an instant.
A unit that we've had the opportunity to test over the last month from Hughes is one that we think strikes the perfect balance between price and function. It's called the Power Watchdog Smart Surge Protector with Auto Shut-Off, and it's available in 30amp and 50 amp versions for $229 and $277 respectively. It also comes in hardwired versions to mount permanently in your RV.
Get the 30 amp Watchdog here: amzn.to/2YQ8T1u
Get the 50 amp Watchdog here: amzn.to/3nhR5KA
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Save 10% on your purchase if you purchase directly through Hughes at hughesautoformers.com/ with code RVMILES.
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Mine is on the way. Love the fact the the surge module is replaceable. We had friends early last year experience damage to their rig.(hundreds of dollars). It was at the dealership for weeks. They lost out on the entire RV season. This is worth the investment.
Great video! Very informative without a bunch of silly chatter.
I need a 30 amp 4 prong twist lock on both ends.
Thank you! A very clear and concise informative video.
Great info bro
Amazon just delivered mine today. Can’t wait to get er plugged in!
Just bought a brand new travel trailer ordered this as soon as we knew we were getting the trailer.
Great review! Thank you!
It's what we use. Thanks Jason!
Excellent video on a excellent product.
Super useful! I bought the permanently installed version at a low price last year from Home Depot after searching reviews on multiple sites. I still learned from your comprehensive video. Thanks😀
Thanks for the review! I was deciding between this one and the Progressive EMS-PT30X. I think I am going with the Hughes model.
Double thanks for the discount code.
Same here, I’m having a hard time deciding between the same two.
I was in the same predicament. My Power Watchdog arrives today. I got the 50 amp.
Good information. This one has some interesting options.
Great review!👍
Hey, just wanted to say how much we appreciate you two! We started listening to your podcasts before we went full-time and love following you now on UA-cam!
We appreciate you too! Hope full-time life on the road is treating you awesome, and thanks for joining us here and we dip our toes into the UA-cam world. -Abby
Something I had difficulty understanding, Well explained . Not only made a why and which one decision clear, saved me from reading instructions! thank you!
I know Im kind of randomly asking but do anybody know of a good place to stream newly released tv shows online?
@Brecken Alfredo i watch on FlixZone. You can find it on google :)
@@breckenalfredo4578 the “peacock app is free and it is all of nbc lineup
For those that don’t know.. EPO is Emergency Power Off
I used your link below....and I wanted to make sure that I'm getting the good model...you said in your discripton that it was over 200....and your link takes me to this watch dog one for 144....just making sure it's the same model as what ur talking about
Good video. just used your link to buy one.
Awesome, thank you!
I have to say, I was almost convinced to buy the Power Watchdog. It's not you, its me. I really liked what I was seeing from Hugues and the Power Watchdog seems like a great tool, probably the best RV surge suppressor on the market, and the Bluetooth remote control and monitoring is just the best, however I decided to go with the full Hughes autoformer with their replaceable surge module. Yes, it is more expensive, but when voltage starts dropping, such as you explained in the video, the autoformer boosts voltage rather than shutting things off. But either device from Hughes is going to protect your RV, but one will keep you going in a low voltage environment in a park. Your review is really great.
Volt meter did not come with my 50EPO
Make sure to also check out our review of the Togo Roadlink - a new cell data option that's probably the best deal for true unlimited data out there: ua-cam.com/video/26JzalwrP2o/v-deo.html
Great video..Sounds like i should keep a spare module with me. Where do i get them???
Just ordered using your affiliate link! Great review I'm sold!
Great video but Estoy enojada .. yo compré uno pero donde está mi voltímetro ?.. no lo miré en la caja 🧐.. llamaré y preguntaré porque te dieron uno a ti y para mi nada 🤨
I don't know if they still do it, this video is a few years old.
So does this protect the line and load side like the Surgerguard 34951?
I have a 30 amp camper so I need to get the 39 amp surge protector be a wast of money if I got the 50 amp
How does this work if plugged into a generator???
In other words plain and simple this surge protector track you everytime you use the app.
My concern. This is a very desirable item for your RV and is $350, how do you protect it from someone who wants to steal it?
They integrate a metal ring into it that you can attach a bike lock cable to.
We bought the Watchdog 50 amp unit. Liked all the protection it offered. But on our first trip out it would shut off the power breakers on the post several times. This caused the app to not read and no error message to read and we had to manually turn power breaker back on each time we tried. Before shut off period it did show some low voltage times before it would turn the breakers off. But is did not shut down the surge protector, it always shut off the power breakers and we had to manually go out to box to turn on the breaker every time. We used another persons surge protector with out EPO and it stayed on the rest of the trip. Does anyone know whats up. This product had such good reviews?
It sounds like the breakers at that campground need to be replaced. I don't know why it worked with the other surge protector, but the units can't shut off the campground's breaker. That should only happen if the breaker is old and is tripping before it reaches 50amps.
@@RVMiles Yes, It does not make sense that it did not flip breakers with the other surge protector, but Watchdog said we can return it with no issues. I love all the features the Watchdog has to offer. So I may just exchange for another one and give it one more try. Hopefully it nothing to do with our RV. thanks for replying.
@@terryfisher1158 did you ever figure it out? Was it the watchdog or something else. I just ordered a watchdog. Hope it's a good one!
@@right2it146 yes. Love it. We were lucky. We lived close to the their warehouse and was able to exchange the bad surge protector there and talk to the owner about the issue. No problems since we got the new one. The app is great. However the only issue with the app is it only works when you are close to RV and does not report a surge shut down if you are not close to your rv. So if you loose electricity while gone it will not notify you. Also I like that if it burns out the the circuit in the surge protector because of a big surge you only need buy a new circuit from them to be replaced in their surge protector. All other surge protectors do not have that option and if you had a large surge you would have to buy a whole new surge protector. I would also recommend you get a good lock for it. This protector is more expensive than most and because the face lights up it gets noticed by people a lot more. We highly recommend it.
We're new, so I just watched this video even though it's years old. Do you still recommend this product?
I assume so since it's still in your Amazon page.
Thanks!
100% recommend. Just installed the 50 amp mounted version on our new fifth wheel and will have a video on that in the future.
If you buy the 50 amp, will it still protect when using with a 30Amp adapter, if 50 amp isnt available somewhere?
The only thing it won’t do in that scenario is keep you from tripping the breaker by using more than 30 amps.
Can I have an adaptor and connect it to 20 amp (House Outlet) using the 30 Amp power watchdog ? So I basically wanted to hookup my camper to my house. Thank you!
That’s exactly how ours is hooked up at the moment.
@@RVMiles thank you again
Hi Paul:
I am new to RVing, and am preparing my first trip in my vintage 1973 travel trailer. She is a 30 amp unit, but will be using a campground with only 50 amp service. I have a surge protector and a 30-50 amp adapter. Will using these generally protect my unit from succumbing to electrical overload? Is there anything I should be concerned with as far as using appliances? Thank you in advance for your time.
We have a 30amp unit and just purchased this Watchdog. Question: We were told by the maintenance man at the RV park where we kept tripping the pole breaker that we were drawing or using too much power. He said 26 amps is tops for a 30amp breaker. Can you confirm that? Will this Watchdog take this 80% of power useable into effect when it shuts off to keep the pole from tripping? Or was our guy avoiding replacing our breaker in the pole? Thanks and great video by the way!
For sustained use, breakers shouldn't be taking more than 80% of their rated load, so in one sense he's correct, but breakers trip faster as they get older. So he was also avoiding replacing the breaker.
Another thing I wanted to ask you when I buy this surge protector.....do u have a video of how u lock your watchdog up at campgrounds or anywhere.....and what's the best lock for doing this that u recommend
It comes with a metal tab on it that you can padlock to. You can get a bike cable and lock it to the post or to somewhere on your RV.
@@RVMiles yeah I think that would be better that tab looks easy to break...lol
Great info. Question...I have a Travel trailer with a 30 amp hook up. Is it wise to buy the 50 amp and increase our hook ups at the camp site if a 30amp is not available?
I would also need a plug from 50 to 30 adapter. Would this work? Thanks in advance.
I would get the 30 amp, and then a 30 to 50 adapter. You'll be more properly protected, and it will cost less. If you buy the 50 amp, it won't stop you from going over your amp draw.
Hi. I heard this will not work with a generator. Something about a floating ground. Do you know about that?
You don't really need a surge protector with a decent generator. Lightning nearby wont affect it like it does a power grid, and the generator handles most of the overload and voltage issues. You can get an adapter that will allow you to use with a generator, but I don't think it's necessary.
@@RVMiles thanks.
I'd be so nervous someone would steal it -- that small padlock tab doesn't inspire too much confidence. I want this unit so I'll have to get creative!
Great point 😬now I’m worried about ours
Install the On board unit 👌
Wrong link to the 50 amp model you show.
Link has been updated.
Tried to buy it today but are sold out.
Really? Sorry to hear that. Hopefully they’ll be back in stock soon.
Junk, poor or none at all support. Mine keeps tripping, the factory said too bad, I'm pulling too much power. 50 amps is 50 amps, worthless in my coach 😞
Do u have a link for this item.....I seen one on Amazon for $144 for the 30 amp...does thatean it's the cheaper unit or model....wonder what the difference of the $144 and over 200 for the one in the video
Believe it or not - it’s one of the few things on earth that’s come down in price. The $144 one is correct - 30
Amp with EPO
@@RVMiles awesome good to know thank u so much....for all ur help just wanted to make sure it was the right model for that price....the EPO is basically watch dog version of the EMS of progressive do the same thing just call it something different
Which I know u said that in your video that EPO and EMS are the same thing different manufacturers call it something different but are the same thing
Also I forgot to ask u which surge protector do u use for your RV
@@RVMiles I actually just found it on eBay for 132 brand new free 3 day shipping and got additional 50 bucks off using my cash back on my card so taxes and everything 81
Very disappointed watchdog 50amp perminate install. Acceptable performance with shore power. Unacceptable with generater.
What is Unacceptable with your generator?
What brand and model of generator are you using 🤔
Haven’t tried that but check your growing for compatibility with the generator (see manual and online).
Lightning travels miles, through the air, to get to you.
If lighting strikes near your RV, it's not going to care about your cute little plastic box.
A direct hit? No. But any strike under a mile away can be enough to fry electronics. And 80% of power spikes are caused by things like downed power lines.
It protects from problems with Line Power going into your Rv.
So yes the Little Black Plastic Box is going to provide protection 🤯
If you think it's going to avoid a lightning strike then you have Consumed way too many Crayons 🖍 🤭😂🤣
Why does hughes need to know where I am at all times? The surge protector works on their app via Bluetooth. Not a problem.
However if your GPS on your phone is turned OFF it does not work. HUGHES, it is NONE of your business where I am.
So if you are concerned about your privacy, there are others out there that don't care where you go. THERE IS NO REASON FOR A SURGE PROTECTOR TO TRACK YOUR MOVEMENTS.