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Lightning strikes aren’t the only concerning factors when it comes to power surges in your RV electrical system. Luckily, technologies have developed in recent years, and now there are resources available to provide optimal protection for your RV. Today, we want to share how the Power Watchdog 30amp surge protector is an excellent option for you. Let’s get started!
What Is the Hughes Power Watchdog 30amp?
- Replaceable Surge / Spike Module: Should a large spike happen, surge module is completely replacable instead of...
- Wirelessly Monitor voltage, amperage, and wattage on your smartphone in real time using our free mobile app! Oldest and...
The Hughes Power Watchdog 30AMP is the first 30 amp surge guard and protector that has built-in Bluetooth connectivity. The Watchdog utilizes Bluetooth technology to alert you via the smartphone app when a dangerous situation arises with your electrical connection. This alert can help you prevent a hazardous or catastrophic situation.
However, the Hughes Power Watchdog 30AMP won’t just alert you; it’ll also take action. If your RV’s electrical voltage drops or surges, the emergency shut-off will kick in. But once favorable conditions return for 90 seconds, the unit will automatically turn back on.
Why You Need an RV Surge Protector
Spikes or drops in the electrical current traveling from the power pedestal to your RV can cause tremendous damage.
For example, replacing a microwave or TV can easily cost you a couple of hundred dollars, but replacing your RV refrigerator can be a few thousand. Therefore, having a high-quality surge protector for your home-on-wheels is worth the cost!
While the power pedestal may appear in good working condition, an RV surge protector will let you know if it’s safe or not.
You can’t always tell by looking at it that the pedestal has damaged or incorrect wiring. When you connect a surge protector to the power pedestal, it will quickly test the connection quality and whether or not it’s safe to connect your RV.
What We Love About the Power Watchdog 30amp Surge Protector
The Power Watchdog 30amp surge protector does an incredible job protecting your RV. Here are a few of our favorite features of the Power Watchdog.
Smart-Circuit Analyzer Connects to Your Phone
A majority of people don’t ever let their cell phones get too far from them. Your cell phone is likely within reach of you as you’re reading this.
Having access to your electrical connection’s status and receiving alerts on your cell phone is an incredible feature. The smart-circuit analyzer also allows you to watch the voltage, amps, and watts traveling into your RV in real-time.
Only 4-Second Delay After Plugging In
The Power Watchdog’s plug-and-play system has a 4-second delay before you’re up and running. If you’ve used any other brands, you may have noticed a delay of up to 2-minutes.
An RV surge protector is not cheap, and when you’re paying good money for an item, you don’t want to wait around every time for it to do its job. Luckily, the Power Watchdog does the job quickly and efficiently.
Emergency Power Off Feature
You’ll never know when an emergency power situation will arise within your RV. Luckily, the Hughes Power Watchdog 30AMP will keep an eye on your power source, so you don’t have to.
Should the electrical current become unstable or unsafe, the unit will shut down the power to your RV. It will then continue to monitor the electrical connection. Once the power source restabilizes and maintains normal working parameters for 90 seconds, the power restores automatically.
Cons
While the Power Watchdog has so much to love, there’s one specific thing we’d like to see improved. Let’s take a look!
Bluetooth Only Works When Near the Device
The Power Watchdog utilizes Bluetooth technology to connect to your phone. Bluetooth connections usually begin to disconnect around 30 feet.
Depending on how large your RV is and where you’re connecting the Power Watchdog, you might not be able to stay connected. If you want to stay constantly joined to your surge protector’s Bluetooth, you’ll need to stay near the device.
Alternatives to Hughes Autoformers PWD30-EPO
If you’re not convinced the PWD30-EPO is suitable for you, let’s look at a couple of other options you might consider.
Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X
- ELECTRONIC SAFETY MAINTAINED: Ensure the safety of your Progressive Industries surge protector electronics with the 30...
- COST-EFFECTIVE RV SURGE PROTECTOR: Rated at 30A/120V/3,600W, the EMS-PT30X can absorb surges up to 1,790 joules,...
The Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X is another fantastic option for RVers. While the EMS-PT30X offers less power protection with only 1790 Joules, it does come with an EMS. The EMS will automatically shut off when outside of normal operating parameters.
This unit does not have Bluetooth capabilities, so you’ll need to check the LED display to verify any error codes or usage information. If you want an EMS like this unit, expect to pay $280 to $290 for this model.
Is The Hughes Power Watchdog 30AMP Right For You?
It’s hard to put a price tag on the sensitive electronics in your RV. Using a surge protector with an EMS can help take away the stress regarding your RV’s electronics. The Hughes Autoformers PWD30-EPO is an impressive model with extra features you might be eager to pay for.
Have you had a surge protector or EMS save the day for you?
Last update on 2024-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You say that the Watchdog will reset after seeing normal parameters. Mine does not reset until I unplug it and plug it back in. This is after the E3 error, because this thing is way too sensitive to slightly going over 30a.