I've had the setup like yours for about 3 years and it has worked great. Initially I had the autoformer inline with the epo. The problem with that setup is if we were in a RV park that was almost empty the voltage would go up and with the 2% added from the autoformer it would take the voltage over the limit of what the epo would allow. So now like you I just use the autoformer as needed. I have used the autoformer 4 or 5 times in the last 3 or so years and every time it was a situation like your Vegas episode. Very hot everyone running their air conditioner causing the voltage to go low so no air conditioner for us. Autoformer to the rescue worked every time. Once I had voltage down to 99V.
Great video, Chad. This all looks good, and the install looked good. I'm with you on using the butt splices instead of wire nuts. Wire nuts doe correctly are OK, but with it in an RV and a fairly permanent install, splices are better idea. It's nice how you have everything set up so you can easily switch one to the other. 👍 👍 God bless ya'll. Ya'll take care and be safe on the road.
We were at an older park in Pennsylvania . . . . major storms . . . .a branch took out the power line . . . . major surges fried AC, microwave, TV, coffee makers and other electronics in RVs without surge protection . . . . everyone using their air conditioners in the heat of the day . . . . the 20 amp circuit checked in at 111 volts. A great example for surge protection! This video couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you!
Also, that 111 volts isn't great for your ACs... The Autoformer would boost that to a normal 122. gear.changinglanesrv.com/product/hughes-autoformers-voltage-booster-with-surge-protection-50-amp/
I have had my Hughes Watchdog and I love it, it's jumped in a few times and saved the day we didn't even know we needed saved from! Had it 2 1/2 years. Love the app.
As always great information really appreciate it and the work it takes for the videos. What’s funny is we was just talking out this yesterday and this is perfect timing. Because I had questions about the watch dog and you answered them in simple terms
Nicely done. Wish I had that much room in my rig. Great planning and execution. Like the ability to change configuration. I have the same surge protector. Need to order the replacement module so I’m prepared should it ever have to sacrifice itself. Thanks for another great video.
Thank you for all your videos Chad. Feel I can try to fix almost anything. Question for you if you do not mind. Looking at installing the soft start on our AC. See they now have a surge protector with the soft start installed. What do you think about this - ActiveStart 50AMP with Surge Protection- ACS50PS?? Thank you in advance.
Chad, excellent idea. I literally just received that identical Watch Dog. I like this idea because I can keep a pretty expensive item locked up. Great video, Thank You for the content.
I would review the NEC before installing. According to the NEC Article 551.72(E); Autotransformers shall not be be permitted in Recreational vehicles. Surge protective devices are permitted. Based on 2020 NEC
I have a 50A 5th wheel. Right now I have a 30A portable surge protector because our old motorhome was 30A. A lot of the sites we get in only have 30A plugs. If I put a hardwired 50A EMS in is it still ok to plug into these 30A plugs?
Hey Chad, I'm not nearly advanced as you in electronics. Is there a website I could go to explore a Volta system and solar for my RV? This week I had to boondock using my two Cummins 4500i's paralleled. We're in AZ and temps are 110 to 115 and we found out it's 12 gallons of gas for 24 hours. We're definitely looking for a better way. Ideas????
Great video Chad! Got a portable Watchdog and love it. Thinking I'm going to install it inside my Airstream like you did. Questions: 1) Any code issue with a 50A outlet inside the RV from what you gather? and 2) Did you end up securing the cable to the outlet in any way to keep it in place while in travel? Thanks!
Chad, looking at doing the same setup, but I called Hughes and they said the EPO watchdog will give an error with the Victron Multi-plus system. did you have any issues?
Would you say it is possible to do the same plug in / portable set up in a 410 with the stock Yamaha generator inventory set up? Would it have to go back where you did the surge guard install in your 397?
If you talk with Huges about the Watchdog. Please tell them to allow the bright white dog light to be shut off or dimmable. I camp at a few state parks that are designated International Dark Sky sites and its so annoying and the park rangers don’t like the bright white light it puts off. We have resorted to taping a paper plate over it or foil. We have debated just putting black duct table over it however we do like that the dog face changes to red when something is goes wrong and the white face lets us know it’s good when we arrive at a nee site and plug it in. The light was a big issue when we camped near a university observatory because of light pollution it caused we were out of compliance with outdoor lighting regulations. It seems the dog face lot was a great marketing department idea but when camping at light sensitive locations or ones where the power pole is near the RV windows that white light is annoying then we go tape a paper plate or foil over it.
@@ChangingLanes thanks, failed to mention we didn’t have room for the hardwired version in our little 20ft RV. We have been using blue painters tape because we had it on hand.
Question Chad why would you not have your Hughes Autoformer plugged in all the time ? The autoformer will boost the line voltage up to 12vac I'm thinking . Ok 2vac when you plug it in and power it up and the rest if needed. What if you are away from your RV all day long and the voltage drops to say 109vac ? This could cause problems with any motor device running in your RV at this time. You would not know because you are out doing something that whole day. So say you get home and your refig is not working because the compressor was trying to run off 109vac all day long and over headed. Now you have to purchase a new refig .
How was your and Tara's vacation? I always seen in videos to use a surge protection to check the pedestial voltages before plugging in the RV. Are going to check your pedestial voltages and possible bad wiring in some other fashion before plugging in the RV? I can see that you will be protected from overvoltage, but how can you check for bad wiring without checking the pedestial with a multimeter or another EPO type device? Is there an indication of bad wiring from the bluetooth app on the Watchdog? I assume if you were using a 30 or even a 15 Amp plug you would just use a dogbone? Excellent installation as always! Thanks for all you do and answering my questions.
Hi Chad, I have a question for you if you can help me to understand my main electrical pannel inside the rv. I have 2 brakers attached togetter (50 amp main braker) one deliver power to the top pannel and the other for the bottom of the pannel. At 16:17 in your video I see line 1 35.3amp and line 2 27.2amp, is it suppose to be 25amp on each line or 50amp on each line or 50amp total for both line ? Try to figure it out what is the maximum to watch for each line. Thanks for your help. Steve from Canada :)
Excellent video. I have both the Autoformer and EPO inside my electrical bay. What is the reason for not leaving both units connected in series? When I plug in my RV both units are active. I use a dogbone when connecting to 30 amp and have not had any issues.
I remember when you were in Las Vegas and having the issues. Was that the same time Phil was there having trouble as well with his Tiffin? Question - I have been researching these and some folks are claiming they get a lot of humming noise from the watchdog. Ours will be installed inside as we have a Transit Van B-Model. So the noise issues have me wondering if you have noticed it and how you have liked the unit now that it has been installed for a while. Thanks and happy travels.
Hughes has the best customer service when you run into a warranty claim. I’ve have two 50 amp Power Watchdog + EPO go bad and they have always had a new one in my hands less than a week later. I’ll never go to another brand.
I like what you did, but my concern is the cumulative voltage drop caused by the resistance of all the plugs and recepticles, and the heat that goes with it. Do you use a conductive grease on yoir plug terminals? I ask because I had my RV plugged into an extension while full timing. The plug and recepticle at the extension to RV junction welded together due to a slightly worn recepticle. Had to cut the cables and reterminate them. Never did get them apart.
Excellent advise on butt splice connectors. I have a very similar setup, and after seeing this I'll take my Autoformer out of the loop and only add back in when needed. Thank you for great content!!
Hello! I may have missed it… but I recall you had mentioned not getting a generator in the 410. Is that black box the alternate? Do you have a video about the option?
Question … what it your thought about Rv manufacturers putting an outlet near the power inverter and a plug on the inverter making R&R kind of plug and play also installing a pms ped type inside the Rv? Thanks for a great info video
HI CHAD & TARA 👋 THANK YOU FOR SHOWING HOW YOU SET YOURS UP ! THIS WILL HELP IN THE FUTURE IF MY SON IS GOING TO BUY / GET A 5TH WHEEL RV CAMPER . JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM IF THEY EVER DO ! HOW IS TARA DOING HOPEFULLY BETTER ! BEEN GETTING A LOT OF RAIN 🌧 IN OUR AREA WHICH IS GOOD FOR EVERYTHING ! HOPEFULLY SOME GETS TO WHERE IT'S NEEDED MORE 🙏 TOO ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 THANK YOU AGAIN 🙏
Really good video! This seems like a gem of a product. Looks like something all RV’ers should have and it’s so great that you could install it yourself!…. Lisa
Great video!! I have the watchdog epo 50amp and have been using it for about 2 years, love it. I was staying at a park where the whole row of trailers I was on suffered low voltage. The watchdog did its job, cut power and i called maintenance. Their advice was to disconnect my watchdog because they are "too sensitive". Goes to show you, don't always listen to park maintenance, they have no investment in your rig.
Would it be possible to just voltmeter test lead the park's power outlet (30 or 50) ? BTW: Love those high current butt-splices l Does your RV have bayonet type 50amp plug ?
Yes, you can meter it if you know how to check for mis-wired ground, and proper split phase. Our RV does have the standard plug. I'd like to try the smart plug, but not until they come out with one that has a 90 degree line in.
Getting the pedestal version and put it in a compartment is what the previous owner of my rig did, it's genius. If the surge suppressor dies it;s easy to bypass and also, like you said you can disconnect it for trouble shooting. You can also play mix and match with the autoformer. If your surge suppressor cuts out because of low voltage you can just insert the autoformer and the problem is solve. The only question I have is there any significant voltage drop with all of the plugs? Keep the good stuff coming and say hi to Tara and Daisy.
Interesting combination of using the Watchdog EPO but wiring it "internally" Got me thinking I could do the same thing with my pedestal mount 50A SurgeGuard (that I already invested in and recently sent back to Southwire for a free firmware update to support the new BT App). I chose to purchase the pedistal mount Southwire SurgeGuard because the hardwired version only had the "wired" monitor panel. As always love your channel. Looking forward to your full overview of Volta system
I have the hard wired 50A Watchdog and tried to use the split circuit set up that you showed in a previous mooch docking video. The Watch dog would not allow it to work. I don’t remember what the error code was that was thrown. I tried with two 15A circuits and 20/15 and got the same results. Please keep us posted if you have any issues when mooch docking.
maybe a dumb question.....but if you only use the autoformer when you need it, how do you know when you need it? Isn't it too late if a low voltage situation arises and damages any equipment downstream? Or are you relying on an alert from your EPO? I have a pedestal unit that I use (I like to plug that in before I unhitch to make sure the pedestal is operating well) and an autoformer and have the two inline all the time. In an airstream, so no real usage space to install permanently....but man, would love to keep the AF in the truck and only drag it out as needed....but back to my original question. :)
I added a hardwired Watchdog EPO to my 35ft Class A two years ago after dealing with low voltage issues at a State Park during a hot July 4th weekend. It has been bullet proof, and alerted me to issues my generator was having that I had no clue about. The project took about three hours from start to finish and was pretty simple once I figured out where I'd place everything in my small electrical bay (have to leave room for an eventual inverter). Definitely agree that the BT connectivity and the app are a great bonus. Great video and thanks for the ideas!
I understand exactly what you are talking about we lived in the park you are talking about for 1 year and battled with electrical issues too. The funny thing is the closer to the front you got the better the electrical voltage got. Go figure. I wish I knew about the system your talking about.
The piece you need is just this:gear.changinglanesrv.com/product/hughes-autoformers-voltage-booster-with-surge-protection-50-amp/. It will boost the voltage 10%.. Also see this video: ruclips.net/video/g7xx-AHRjq4/видео.html
What in the world were you running to torture test that!? Did you have issues on line 1 running g 35amps? I try to stay around 25 max on each (air fryer and microwave compete ). I use mine to test the shore power before I connect my camper to it, so you not hard wiring will be a plus as you can disconnect to test. 😊
Your system is designed to have up to 50A on each leg, as long as the pedestal is properly wired with split phase. It's really a 50+50 system, unlike 30A which is a single hot line.
We ran with our autoformer & EPO both in the loop for a couple of years, but ran into at least 3 RV parks with somewhat high voltage, and the autoformer's 2% boost was just enough to keep pushing the EPO to overvoltage and disconnecting the rig, so we removed the autoformer from the loop. Probably wise to just plug it in as-needed rather than all the time.
Hey Chad, I appreciate the protection measures for your coach, but I have concerns about the safety of the power cable and plug. On my coach, the cable is connected to an auto-reel and runs from the pedestal to the basement of my rig. To change it would be a nightmare. I am worried that a power surge may damage the cable and cause a fire before the EPO is activated. Therefore, I would like to know if there is a solution to address this issue. I have opted for an external EPO for this reason. Can anyone please give me any suggestions or advice to convince me that my cable and plug will be protected by not using an external EPO?
Not knowing what's behind your power reel, it's tough to say. But I can't imagine that it can't be adapted with proper wiring. I'd be there's a junction box somewhere between your reel and the next upstream thing (distro or ATS).
@@ChangingLanes the reel is not my concern nor is the installation. My concern is whether an internal unit will protect the cord and the plug at the shore connection. With an external unit I am protected all the way back.
After 5years full time nothing is weird. We are at thousand trails in Williamsburg Virginia. Unloading the Harley. Does Lucille want a play date? Be here for a week then headed to Gettysburg. Travel safe. Robert Woods.
I just installed my hardwired Watch Dog this weekend on new Paradigm. Wrestling that 6/3 was like fighting an Anaconda. Purchased extra 10ft of 6/3 from Lowe’s and that wrestled $80 out of my wallet. It was fight night all the way around but it was fun. I live for projects like this. What’s next? BTW, if using a “standalone” generator, you will need to deal with the ground issues and create a neutral bond plug for the gen. Trying to run AC on gen through the watch dog kept Erroring out E6. Bonding fixed that.
Hey Chad, maybe I missed this and you already have it covered, if so can you please direct me to the solution. I have the Power Watchdog 30 Amp EPO portable Surge Protector and I also have a Micro Air digital wifi thermostat. I installed the Micro Air thermostat so I could monitor and control the temperature inside the rv while away and make sure my dogs were OK. Something you are quite familiar with. One thing I've apparently overlooked is the fact I have zero control over the Surge Protector when I am not around the RV and out of Bluetooth range. We had an over Amp shut down, E3 I believe, today while we were out and I was not able to restart the Surge Protector meaning no AC on a hot day and our dogs in the RV. Fortunately we were close by. I've rea he'd out to Hughes and have yet to hear back. Are you aware of this and have you, or anyone, figured out a solution?
This is what hughes offers for remote access: amzn.to/45aLw60 However, I'm not sure if you can reset the device remotely or not... I'd ask when you hear back from Hughes.
@ChangingLanes thanks! Unfortunately RV Whisper says they do not support remote reset, and I'm still waiting to hear from Hughes. Is there anything you are doing to work around this issue when you are away from the rv?
The Watch Dog saved our RV. We are hosting at one of the oldest state parks in Georgia. When we hooked up to the pedestal everything was working fine as we were the only RV (Grand Design Solitude) on our loop. But once RV's started rolling in and AC units going our Hughes EPO cutoff and sent a message saying we had low voltage on one leg. After multiple times of resetting and tripping the park called the EMC. They tested the circuit from the distribution panel to our site (approximately 325 feet) and found an underground fault. The power watchdog saved our AC units and refrigerator. RV'ers do not skimp on the inexpensive surge protectors. Get a power watchdog. You will not be sorry.
Thanks for the well explained details from one detail addict to another. I am mentally exactly where you were when doing this video. Been telling myself that I want all this kit internally mounted as opposed to out in the weather, etc. I told myself "CHANGING LANES SHOULD HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THIS BY NOW" 😁 And sure enough you had. I love the plug and play capability of how you set the system up. Your gonna love that if you ever have to replace the surge protection board. We just recently purchased an RV in advance of retiring and enjoying the RV life for a number of years, so am off to climb around in it to trace shore power to see where I can conveniently hook up the Hughes system like you show in the video. Thanks for the tips!!!!
1st, thanks for all the work you do putting the video's together. I've had the Hughes Watchdog EPO installed on my Trendcend Xplor RB221 for a couple of years now. It works great, in my case I pulled the breaker/fuse panel out and using the hard wired version EPO mounted it to the floor, removed the 120 volt wire from the fuse panel and took it to the EPO, then a new piece of Romex from the EPO back to the fuse panel. Our camper is 120 volt single line and 30 amps. Here's what I don't like about the Watchdog, if you go to 30 amps, the EPO is programmed to shutoff, no fudge, no timer, it's just off. So in our case (small 30 amp camper) we have to watch things like the coffee pot, AC, Hot water heater and microwave. Some of those combinations will shut the EPO off. So you scramble for the phone and reset it, not a big deal, just something to keep up with. BTW, if you can't find your phone, just go out to the pedestal and shut the breakers off and back on and it will reset. What I do like about mine as it's mounted to the floor, when you 1st plug up it won't close the contactor unless voltage and polarity is correct, at that time I can hear the contactor go thump, even outside and know all is good. One last good thing: twice we've left a campground to go home and left the AC on, when we got home and connected to my 120 volt 15 amp service via an extension cord the EPO saw the voltage go low when the AC started and tripped. Sadly it's only temporary and after a time period the EPO will reset itself when it sees the voltage go back up with no load and do it again. But it gives the AC a fighting chance.
I just did this same thing without the Volta system. I had been looking for any videos about it. I should’ve waited on you! We haven’t taken the RV anywhere yet so I haven’t any results of jostling around but you’ve made want to go back and check my butt splices for heat. Thx
Chad, very helpful video, thanks. I have carried my Autoformer for a couple of years and never had to use it. My wife keeps asking why we carry such a large, heavy box we never use. She is not good with amps, volts, watts! I will continue to carry on trips.
I hard wired in a Hughes Watchdog 50a to our 2019 Imagine 2800BH. I love it. The only issue I had (user error) was when we were boondocking last year north of Sundance WY in the national forest. I was then running on a single 100ah lead acid battery and wanted to run the AC and charge the batteries. I started the generator and linked an extra 30a extension cord to get the generator (a Westinghouse iGen4500) farther away from the camper. This is the point where I leaned about line loss. Our Hughes would let power through until it sensed low voltage and then shut off. I learned a few things that week. #1 - I need to get a soft start for the AC. #2 - Extra extension cords are limited in use. #3 - get Lithium batteries. We now have a 200ah Li battery that lasted us 5 days boondocking in SD this year. It was at about 12.4V when we left the campground. I checked voltage when we got home after about 11 hours and the battery was fully charged from the trip home. Lead acid would have not been nearly as efficient. I am glad I went with Lithium.
Great video. As I was watching the video I kept thinking I don't like how that plug is just hanging there. Coming from the boating world they have a screw on retainer ring on the end of the shore power cable. Right at the end of the video Chad takes that low hanging curve ball and knocks it out of the park. Zip tie the plug. And the fans went wild!! Never should have doubted you.
🤯 Chad love your videos on using devices!!!! Nicely done. Great explanation on devices and uses. Thanks for all your hard work on doing the vids! I prefer hardwired in place of the pedestal plug in on the suge protectors. Having worked and had to replace many plugs on the pedestals because of the arcing as the weight of the surge devices pulls on the plug and pulling it slightly out. People don't realize the danage to a pedestal. I don't think I have ever seen a surge device starpped to the pedestal to help with weight. Anyways 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏.
Chad, by code, wire nuts not authorized on aircraft or sailboats and most vibrating machines. I'm shocked Volta used wire nuts. I have a letter into Winnebago for using wire nuts in the junction box of our Navion. The wire nuts burned along with the wire. I found in the junction box of our Navion during a regular inspection. Not only that, as it turns out this is a recurring problem with Winnebago using wire nuts on the main 30 amp junction box. Nowhere else in the Navion does Winnebago use wire nuts. I'm also seeking the codes from the RV association. Our forum referenced a Winnebago View that burned because of wire nuts. I can't believe any electrical engineer would authorize wire nuts whether wrapped with tape or not... it's just unsafe. Like you, I use the same butt connectors.
Great video Chad, was just outside looking at my power watchdog and wondering how to mount it internal to our rig…then BAMBOO, your video appeared on our feed. Beat me to it brother, thanks for blazing the trail. Mike & Juli
We went with the Hughes Watchdog because the protection module is replaceable. Previous, we went through 3 of the Southwire products because there no replaceable protection module. $120 per device tomes 3 vs the Hughes was an easy choice. Also appreciate the Bluetooth monitoring on our phone.
Put the hardwired 30 amp watchdog in the RV in May. Had a nearby lightning strike at the end of June and it killed the watchdog. Hughes replaced the entire unit at no cost. We were back up and protected in less that a week. I would recommend that during a thunderstorm that you kill power to the RV.
I think you used some old video for the autoformer. From what I read the newer units like I have, either bypass or boost 10%. They no longer boost 2% all the time. This was a change a few years ago.
@@ChangingLanes that is interesting, I don't remember reading that on their website when I bought mine a year ago and my paper work says "Your Autoformer is now monitoring the park voltage. If voltage drops to 113 volts or below, the Autoformer will boost 10% and the boosting light will illuminate. The 50 amp circuit has two 120 volt lines. Only one line may need a boost. The Autoformer will continuously boost 10%. Once the park voltage rises to 115 volts or above, the boost mode will turn off." Nothing about 2% anywhere on the docs. Do you know if this has always been the case, or did something change? Thanks for the info...I'll have to get my multimeter out and do some checking :)
That’s a great idea. I have been kicking around the idea of getting the bluetti solar generator, but as we don’t full time any more. I wanted to have a way to install and deinstall it. So this type of wiring idea might be the ticket
Hi, did you ever have an E8 code with the 50amp Power Watchdog when you are plug at your house and you dont have many things drawing power in the coach ? I have a little issue when I draw not much power, let say 0.1 or 0.2 amps I'm getthing an E8 code for missing neutral at the coach, that is not true because the neutral is ok when I got stuff working at the same time. Thanks for your help.
You are not alone with the E8 Error showing up. There are a number of RVers out there that have installed Solar Systems with Victron Multiplus Inverters that are experiencing this Hughes/Watchdog "E8 - Neutral Missing" issue. I am one of those people. I have a 3200 Watt Solar system with Dual Victron Multiplus IIs, and 4/GC3 BB Batteries. After extensive discussions between Hughes Engineers and Victron Engineers, it appears Hughes has designed their (50amp EPO) system to trigger the Neutral Missing (E8) error "when L1 and L2 show equal power", and the time frame they use to trigger the E8 error is too short for the differences between L1 and L2 truly appear to the Watchdog from a Victron Inverter. The Watchdog then shuts-down all power to the RV, (and I might add send an erroneous Message to the user on the E8 error that the issue with within the RVers' coach). If you use a "Dog Bone" adapter (30amp-to-50amp) to plug in to 30 amp at the Shore Power, there is no E8 Neutral Missing issue. I have personally heard / talked to a few RVers that this occurred to, and they took the E8 Error message to heart and ended up taking their RV to a Repair Facility/Dealership to have their RV's electrical system checked out, only to have their RV down for a few months due to repair lead times, with nothing found wrong with their RV, and then also get saddled with a rather large bill for the time/effort to have their electrical system checked out. Many have tried to add some current draw (via a Light Bulb or a Fan) to one of the power legs (L1 or L2 ), ...some get around this E8 issue, one guy had to hit the Reset on the Watchdog Phone App 5-10 times to get power to his RV.... most I have talked to have not got around the issue. Hughes is aware of this timing issue with the Watchdog, but this will require a firmware design change on the Watchdog that will take some time to get into Hughes production deployment. I have been an RVer for over 30 years and have a rather good electrical background (done whole home electrical systems). I question Hughes' Method of determining what constitutes a "Neutral Missing" on their Watchdog, as does most of the electricians I have discussed this situation with. I got rid of my Hughes Watchdog 50 amp EPO and replaced it with a Progressive Power protector, after in-depth discussion and validation with Progressive's Engineering department on their design. Have never had a problem since replacing the Hughes Watchdog and using the Progressive Power Protection System.
@@louie3552 Thanks for all that detail louie3552, well explain. Hughes should not sell the EPO 50amp because it is not working properly, you spend money and you dont know that problem.
Well, my experience is with the ability (inability) to use a Hughes Watchdog with Victron Inverters/ Solar Systems. The Watchdog may work fine when not using Victron Inverters in a RV Coach as noted by other comments to Chad's video. Yeah, I am out ~$300 for the cost of the Watchdog. I found out about (stumbled on) this situation the 2nd day of a 6 month RV journey right after my Solar install, but I have enough Solar power/Batteries to supplement the reduced "30 amp" Shore Power during my 6 month trip for all my 5ths RV power needs. (set the Victron to only accept 26 amps from Shore on the 30amp Shore connection using a 30 to 50amp Dog Bone, and then addressed this issue when I got back home. '22 Grand Design 380 FL-R/3 air option, residential fridge). Take care Steve. You can be assured you have another vendor option (Progressive) that does not have this issue. Really liked the Bluetooth Phone App with the Watchdog, .... the Progressive Internal units only have a small hardwired LED monitor that scrolls information. My Progressive unit is internal as I did not want to deal with (unfortunately the world we now live in) post power protector theft, as well as exposing an external post power protector to the weather elements. Another RVer who ran into this situation is now using a External (post) Progressive unit and working just fine now after his Watchdog replacement as well.@@stevebeaulieu2617
I know there are EMF suppression devices for things like cell phones, but I don't think a lot can be done about an actual EMP like you'd get from an atomic blast.
I have the hardwire version. But, can you hardwire autoformer in as well… and would be before or after the surge protector. It looks like you gave it after. ( I’ll check the video again 🤦♂️
I've had the setup like yours for about 3 years and it has worked great. Initially I had the autoformer inline with the epo. The problem with that setup is if we were in a RV park that was almost empty the voltage would go up and with the 2% added from the autoformer it would take the voltage over the limit of what the epo would allow. So now like you I just use the autoformer as needed. I have used the autoformer 4 or 5 times in the last 3 or so years and every time it was a situation like your Vegas episode. Very hot everyone running their air conditioner causing the voltage to go low so no air conditioner for us. Autoformer to the rescue worked every time. Once I had voltage down to 99V.
Great video, Chad. This all looks good, and the install looked good.
I'm with you on using the butt splices instead of wire nuts. Wire nuts doe correctly are OK, but with it in an RV and a fairly permanent install, splices are better idea.
It's nice how you have everything set up so you can easily switch one to the other. 👍 👍
God bless ya'll. Ya'll take care and be safe on the road.
We were at an older park in Pennsylvania . . . . major storms . . . .a branch took out the power line . . . . major surges fried AC, microwave, TV, coffee makers and other electronics in RVs without surge protection . . . . everyone using their air conditioners in the heat of the day . . . . the 20 amp circuit checked in at 111 volts. A great example for surge protection! This video couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you!
Also, that 111 volts isn't great for your ACs... The Autoformer would boost that to a normal 122. gear.changinglanesrv.com/product/hughes-autoformers-voltage-booster-with-surge-protection-50-amp/
I have had my Hughes Watchdog and I love it, it's jumped in a few times and saved the day we didn't even know we needed saved from! Had it 2 1/2 years. Love the app.
As always great information really appreciate it and the work it takes for the videos. What’s funny is we was just talking out this yesterday and this is perfect timing. Because I had questions about the watch dog and you answered them in simple terms
That is awesome! Glad to help!
Nicely done. Wish I had that much room in my rig. Great planning and execution. Like the ability to change configuration. I have the same surge protector. Need to order the replacement module so I’m prepared should it ever have to sacrifice itself. Thanks for another great video.
Right on! Great idea to have a spare!
Thank you for all your videos Chad. Feel I can try to fix almost anything. Question for you if you do not mind. Looking at installing the soft start on our AC. See they now have a surge protector with the soft start installed. What do you think about this - ActiveStart 50AMP with Surge Protection- ACS50PS?? Thank you in advance.
Chad, excellent idea. I literally just received that identical Watch Dog. I like this idea because I can keep a pretty expensive item locked up. Great video, Thank You for the content.
Great video very concise and you explained everything perfectly thank you !!!
Destracted by the shirt but great video.
I would review the NEC before installing. According to the NEC Article 551.72(E); Autotransformers shall not be be permitted in Recreational vehicles. Surge protective devices are permitted. Based on 2020 NEC
I think the audio is a bit “bubbly” (not sure how else to describe it lol) specifically on vocals, but love the content!
Great video, thank you! I am working on this now, how did you plug in the EPO to the Autoformer once you mounted the EPO to the wall?
I have a 50A 5th wheel. Right now I have a 30A portable surge protector because our old motorhome was 30A. A lot of the sites we get in only have 30A plugs. If I put a hardwired 50A EMS in is it still ok to plug into these 30A plugs?
Hey Chad, I'm not nearly advanced as you in electronics. Is there a website I could go to explore a Volta system and solar for my RV?
This week I had to boondock using my two Cummins 4500i's paralleled. We're in AZ and temps are 110 to 115 and we found out it's 12 gallons of gas for 24 hours.
We're definitely looking for a better way.
Ideas????
Great video Chad! Got a portable Watchdog and love it. Thinking I'm going to install it inside my Airstream like you did. Questions: 1) Any code issue with a 50A outlet inside the RV from what you gather? and 2) Did you end up securing the cable to the outlet in any way to keep it in place while in travel? Thanks!
Chad, looking at doing the same setup, but I called Hughes and they said the EPO watchdog will give an error with the Victron Multi-plus system. did you have any issues?
Would you say it is possible to do the same plug in / portable set up in a 410 with the stock Yamaha generator inventory set up?
Would it have to go back where you did the surge guard install in your 397?
If you talk with Huges about the Watchdog.
Please tell them to allow the bright white dog light to be shut off or dimmable. I camp at a few state parks that are designated International Dark Sky sites and its so annoying and the park rangers don’t like the bright white light it puts off.
We have resorted to taping a paper plate over it or foil. We have debated just putting black duct table over it however we do like that the dog face changes to red when something is goes wrong and the white face lets us know it’s good when we arrive at a nee site and plug it in.
The light was a big issue when we camped near a university observatory because of light pollution it caused we were out of compliance with outdoor lighting regulations.
It seems the dog face lot was a great marketing department idea but when camping at light sensitive locations or ones where the power pole is near the RV windows that white light is annoying then we go tape a paper plate or foil over it.
I'll mention it if I chat with them. In the mean time, try some black gaffer tape. It will cover it and not leave all the residue: amzn.to/44DtUi8
@@ChangingLanes thanks, failed to mention we didn’t have room for the hardwired version in our little 20ft RV. We have been using blue painters tape because we had it on hand.
Question Chad why would you not have your Hughes Autoformer plugged in all the time ? The autoformer will boost the line voltage up to 12vac I'm thinking . Ok 2vac when you plug it in and power it up and the rest if needed. What if you are away from your RV all day long and the voltage drops to say 109vac ? This could cause problems with any motor device running in your RV at this time. You would not know because you are out doing something that whole day. So say you get home and your refig is not working because the compressor was trying to run off 109vac all day long and over headed. Now you have to purchase a new refig .
How was your and Tara's vacation? I always seen in videos to use a surge protection to check the pedestial voltages before plugging in the RV. Are going to check your pedestial voltages and possible bad wiring in some other fashion before plugging in the RV? I can see that you will be protected from overvoltage, but how can you check for bad wiring without checking the pedestial with a multimeter or another EPO type device? Is there an indication of bad wiring from the bluetooth app on the Watchdog? I assume if you were using a 30 or even a 15 Amp plug you would just use a dogbone? Excellent installation as always! Thanks for all you do and answering my questions.
Hi Chad, I have a question for you if you can help me to understand my main electrical pannel inside the rv. I have 2 brakers attached togetter (50 amp main braker) one deliver power to the top pannel and the other for the bottom of the pannel. At 16:17 in your video I see line 1 35.3amp and line 2 27.2amp, is it suppose to be 25amp on each line or 50amp on each line or 50amp total for both line ? Try to figure it out what is the maximum to watch for each line. Thanks for your help. Steve from Canada :)
Excellent video. I have both the Autoformer and EPO inside my electrical bay. What is the reason for not leaving both units connected in series? When I plug in my RV both units are active. I use a dogbone when connecting to 30 amp and have not had any issues.
I would like a your surge protector with a 4 prong 30amp to my generator to my house. Do you have that . Or another application?
I remember when you were in Las Vegas and having the issues. Was that the same time Phil was there having trouble as well with his Tiffin? Question - I have been researching these and some folks are claiming they get a lot of humming noise from the watchdog. Ours will be installed inside as we have a Transit Van B-Model. So the noise issues have me wondering if you have noticed it and how you have liked the unit now that it has been installed for a while. Thanks and happy travels.
Hughes has the best customer service when you run into a warranty claim. I’ve have two 50 amp Power Watchdog + EPO go bad and they have always had a new one in my hands less than a week later. I’ll never go to another brand.
I like what you did, but my concern is the cumulative voltage drop caused by the resistance of all the plugs and recepticles, and the heat that goes with it. Do you use a conductive grease on yoir plug terminals? I ask because I had my RV plugged into an extension while full timing. The plug and recepticle at the extension to RV junction welded together due to a slightly worn recepticle. Had to cut the cables and reterminate them. Never did get them apart.
Excellent advise on butt splice connectors. I have a very similar setup, and after seeing this I'll take my Autoformer out of the loop and only add back in when needed. Thank you for great content!!
Hello! I may have missed it… but I recall you had mentioned not getting a generator in the 410. Is that black box the alternate? Do you have a video about the option?
You might try velcro straps to hold the plugs in. It would make unplugging and plugging thing back without having to cut cable ties.
Question … what it your thought about Rv manufacturers putting an outlet near the power inverter and a plug on the inverter making R&R kind of plug and play also installing a pms ped type inside the Rv? Thanks for a great info video
Do you think the watch dog surge protector also works as a soft start to your A/C's when off grid?
I have a class A motorhome and it has a search guard inside under my bed that would take care of an outdoor search guard, correct?
Any cons to leaving the autoformer connected all the time?
Velcro, I would use that in place.of zip ties
Always great info. Didn’t have any audio issues like someone had stated. Thank you.
HI CHAD & TARA 👋
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING HOW YOU SET YOURS UP ! THIS WILL HELP IN THE FUTURE IF MY SON IS GOING TO BUY / GET A 5TH WHEEL RV CAMPER . JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM IF THEY EVER DO !
HOW IS TARA DOING HOPEFULLY BETTER ! BEEN GETTING A LOT OF RAIN 🌧 IN OUR AREA WHICH IS GOOD FOR EVERYTHING ! HOPEFULLY SOME GETS TO WHERE IT'S NEEDED MORE 🙏 TOO ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 THANK YOU AGAIN 🙏
It is funny that I am dealing with this exact problem right now... 107 volts at my site. I've lowered the allowed current in my Multiplus ii
Yea.. 107 is no bueno!
It's supposed to be a 30 amp site but the breaker tripped when I limited it to 26 amps
Its the way I have mine wired so I can add/remove WD or VB.
Really good video! This seems like a gem of a product. Looks like something all RV’ers should have and it’s so great that you could install it yourself!…. Lisa
Great video!! I have the watchdog epo 50amp and have been using it for about 2 years, love it. I was staying at a park where the whole row of trailers I was on suffered low voltage. The watchdog did its job, cut power and i called maintenance. Their advice was to disconnect my watchdog because they are "too sensitive". Goes to show you, don't always listen to park maintenance, they have no investment in your rig.
Yea.. that's like taking the battery out of the smoke detector because it's detecting smoke.. LOL
Would it be possible to just voltmeter test lead the park's power outlet (30 or 50) ? BTW: Love those high current butt-splices l Does your RV have bayonet type 50amp plug ?
Yes, you can meter it if you know how to check for mis-wired ground, and proper split phase. Our RV does have the standard plug. I'd like to try the smart plug, but not until they come out with one that has a 90 degree line in.
Getting the pedestal version and put it in a compartment is what the previous owner of my rig did, it's genius. If the surge suppressor dies it;s easy to bypass and also, like you said you can disconnect it for trouble shooting. You can also play mix and match with the autoformer. If your surge suppressor cuts out because of low voltage you can just insert the autoformer and the problem is solve. The only question I have is there any significant voltage drop with all of the plugs? Keep the good stuff coming and say hi to Tara and Daisy.
Good question. I'll have to take some measurements.
Interesting combination of using the Watchdog EPO but wiring it "internally" Got me thinking I could do the same thing with my pedestal mount 50A SurgeGuard (that I already invested in and recently sent back to Southwire for a free firmware update to support the new BT App). I chose to purchase the pedistal mount Southwire SurgeGuard because the hardwired version only had the "wired" monitor panel. As always love your channel. Looking forward to your full overview of Volta system
Yep! Just grab this kit and use your southwire. 👍🏼 gear.changinglanesrv.com/product/hughes-autoformer-hard-wire-kit-50a/
Great video, as always lots of very informative information, all much appreciated. Thanks, Chad, but missed the rest of the family.
Next week! 😊
I have the hard wired 50A Watchdog and tried to use the split circuit set up that you showed in a previous mooch docking video. The Watch dog would not allow it to work. I don’t remember what the error code was that was thrown. I tried with two 15A circuits and 20/15 and got the same results. Please keep us posted if you have any issues when mooch docking.
We've not tried that yet with the EPO, so maybe it's experiment time soon.. LOL
maybe a dumb question.....but if you only use the autoformer when you need it, how do you know when you need it? Isn't it too late if a low voltage situation arises and damages any equipment downstream? Or are you relying on an alert from your EPO? I have a pedestal unit that I use (I like to plug that in before I unhitch to make sure the pedestal is operating well) and an autoformer and have the two inline all the time. In an airstream, so no real usage space to install permanently....but man, would love to keep the AF in the truck and only drag it out as needed....but back to my original question. :)
I will see the voltage in the EPO and the EPO will also not turn on power unless it 104 or greater. But if it were 105, I'd use the autoformer.
Nice shirt! Where is the Chaning Lanes t shirt?😊
I added a hardwired Watchdog EPO to my 35ft Class A two years ago after dealing with low voltage issues at a State Park during a hot July 4th weekend. It has been bullet proof, and alerted me to issues my generator was having that I had no clue about. The project took about three hours from start to finish and was pretty simple once I figured out where I'd place everything in my small electrical bay (have to leave room for an eventual inverter). Definitely agree that the BT connectivity and the app are a great bonus. Great video and thanks for the ideas!
Finding the right spot is the hardest part of any RV project. 👍🏼
I understand exactly what you are talking about we lived in the park you are talking about for 1 year and battled with electrical issues too. The funny thing is the closer to the front you got the better the electrical voltage got. Go figure. I wish I knew about the system your talking about.
The piece you need is just this:gear.changinglanesrv.com/product/hughes-autoformers-voltage-booster-with-surge-protection-50-amp/. It will boost the voltage 10%.. Also see this video: ruclips.net/video/g7xx-AHRjq4/видео.html
What in the world were you running to torture test that!? Did you have issues on line 1 running g 35amps? I try to stay around 25 max on each (air fryer and microwave compete ). I use mine to test the shore power before I connect my camper to it, so you not hard wiring will be a plus as you can disconnect to test. 😊
Your system is designed to have up to 50A on each leg, as long as the pedestal is properly wired with split phase. It's really a 50+50 system, unlike 30A which is a single hot line.
We ran with our autoformer & EPO both in the loop for a couple of years, but ran into at least 3 RV parks with somewhat high voltage, and the autoformer's 2% boost was just enough to keep pushing the EPO to overvoltage and disconnecting the rig, so we removed the autoformer from the loop. Probably wise to just plug it in as-needed rather than all the time.
I was lost but you done good job thinks
you are so commercial. I'm done,
Hey Chad, I appreciate the protection measures for your coach, but I have concerns about the safety of the power cable and plug. On my coach, the cable is connected to an auto-reel and runs from the pedestal to the basement of my rig. To change it would be a nightmare. I am worried that a power surge may damage the cable and cause a fire before the EPO is activated. Therefore, I would like to know if there is a solution to address this issue. I have opted for an external EPO for this reason. Can anyone please give me any suggestions or advice to convince me that my cable and plug will be protected by not using an external EPO?
Not knowing what's behind your power reel, it's tough to say. But I can't imagine that it can't be adapted with proper wiring. I'd be there's a junction box somewhere between your reel and the next upstream thing (distro or ATS).
@@ChangingLanes the reel is not my concern nor is the installation. My concern is whether an internal unit will protect the cord and the plug at the shore connection. With an external unit I am protected all the way back.
Boost transformers. I used to build them, great concept having it automatic now.
After 5years full time nothing is weird. We are at thousand trails in Williamsburg Virginia. Unloading the Harley. Does Lucille want a play date? Be here for a week then headed to Gettysburg. Travel safe. Robert Woods.
Did you get your electrical training from the Navy?
Yep! Over a year of electronics school. 👍🏼 ⚓️
I’m really thinking now. Have a 50amp females on the power coming in then another going to the panel. You can then wire in anything in the middle.
I just installed my hardwired Watch Dog this weekend on new Paradigm. Wrestling that 6/3 was like fighting an Anaconda. Purchased extra 10ft of 6/3 from Lowe’s and that wrestled $80 out of my wallet. It was fight night all the way around but it was fun. I live for projects like this. What’s next? BTW, if using a “standalone” generator, you will need to deal with the ground issues and create a neutral bond plug for the gen. Trying to run AC on gen through the watch dog kept Erroring out E6. Bonding fixed that.
Hey Chad, maybe I missed this and you already have it covered, if so can you please direct me to the solution.
I have the Power Watchdog 30 Amp EPO portable Surge Protector and I also have a Micro Air digital wifi thermostat.
I installed the Micro Air thermostat so I could monitor and control the temperature inside the rv while away and make sure my dogs were OK. Something you are quite familiar with.
One thing I've apparently overlooked is the fact I have zero control over the Surge Protector when I am not around the RV and out of Bluetooth range.
We had an over Amp shut down, E3 I believe, today while we were out and I was not able to restart the Surge Protector meaning no AC on a hot day and our dogs in the RV. Fortunately we were close by.
I've rea he'd out to Hughes and have yet to hear back. Are you aware of this and have you, or anyone, figured out a solution?
This is what hughes offers for remote access: amzn.to/45aLw60
However, I'm not sure if you can reset the device remotely or not... I'd ask when you hear back from Hughes.
@ChangingLanes thanks! Unfortunately RV Whisper says they do not support remote reset, and I'm still waiting to hear from Hughes.
Is there anything you are doing to work around this issue when you are away from the rv?
I have been planning to install my Watchdog the same way.
Microphone too close, high pitched feedback on all the ‘s’ sounds. 😬
Thx for the review. 🍻
The Watch Dog saved our RV. We are hosting at one of the oldest state parks in Georgia. When we hooked up to the pedestal everything was working fine as we were the only RV (Grand Design Solitude) on our loop. But once RV's started rolling in and AC units going our Hughes EPO cutoff and sent a message saying we had low voltage on one leg. After multiple times of resetting and tripping the park called the EMC. They tested the circuit from the distribution panel to our site (approximately 325 feet) and found an underground fault. The power watchdog saved our AC units and refrigerator.
RV'ers do not skimp on the inexpensive surge protectors. Get a power watchdog. You will not be sorry.
Thanks for the well explained details from one detail addict to another. I am mentally exactly where you were when doing this video. Been telling myself that I want all this kit internally mounted as opposed to out in the weather, etc. I told myself "CHANGING LANES SHOULD HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THIS BY NOW" 😁 And sure enough you had. I love the plug and play capability of how you set the system up. Your gonna love that if you ever have to replace the surge protection board. We just recently purchased an RV in advance of retiring and enjoying the RV life for a number of years, so am off to climb around in it to trace shore power to see where I can conveniently hook up the Hughes system like you show in the video. Thanks for the tips!!!!
We have had our Hughes Power Watchdog EPO 30A Portable for 4 years now with no problems at all good product
1st, thanks for all the work you do putting the video's together. I've had the Hughes Watchdog EPO installed on my Trendcend Xplor RB221 for a couple of years now. It works great, in my case I pulled the breaker/fuse panel out and using the hard wired version EPO mounted it to the floor, removed the 120 volt wire from the fuse panel and took it to the EPO, then a new piece of Romex from the EPO back to the fuse panel. Our camper is 120 volt single line and 30 amps. Here's what I don't like about the Watchdog, if you go to 30 amps, the EPO is programmed to shutoff, no fudge, no timer, it's just off. So in our case (small 30 amp camper) we have to watch things like the coffee pot, AC, Hot water heater and microwave. Some of those combinations will shut the EPO off. So you scramble for the phone and reset it, not a big deal, just something to keep up with. BTW, if you can't find your phone, just go out to the pedestal and shut the breakers off and back on and it will reset. What I do like about mine as it's mounted to the floor, when you 1st plug up it won't close the contactor unless voltage and polarity is correct, at that time I can hear the contactor go thump, even outside and know all is good. One last good thing: twice we've left a campground to go home and left the AC on, when we got home and connected to my 120 volt 15 amp service via an extension cord the EPO saw the voltage go low when the AC started and tripped. Sadly it's only temporary and after a time period the EPO will reset itself when it sees the voltage go back up with no load and do it again. But it gives the AC a fighting chance.
You could buy a buck boost transformer if you want a cheaper option. You would have to hardwire in but pretty common for electrical installs.
I just did this same thing without the Volta system. I had been looking for any videos about it. I should’ve waited on you!
We haven’t taken the RV anywhere yet so I haven’t any results of jostling around but you’ve made want to go back and check my butt splices for heat. Thx
Chad, very helpful video, thanks. I have carried my Autoformer for a couple of years and never had to use it. My wife keeps asking why we carry such a large, heavy box we never use. She is not good with amps, volts, watts! I will continue to carry on trips.
I hard wired in a Hughes Watchdog 50a to our 2019 Imagine 2800BH. I love it. The only issue I had (user error) was when we were boondocking last year north of Sundance WY in the national forest. I was then running on a single 100ah lead acid battery and wanted to run the AC and charge the batteries. I started the generator and linked an extra 30a extension cord to get the generator (a Westinghouse iGen4500) farther away from the camper. This is the point where I leaned about line loss. Our Hughes would let power through until it sensed low voltage and then shut off. I learned a few things that week. #1 - I need to get a soft start for the AC. #2 - Extra extension cords are limited in use. #3 - get Lithium batteries. We now have a 200ah Li battery that lasted us 5 days boondocking in SD this year. It was at about 12.4V when we left the campground. I checked voltage when we got home after about 11 hours and the battery was fully charged from the trip home. Lead acid would have not been nearly as efficient. I am glad I went with Lithium.
Excellent video and I really like the plug and play philosophy. Thank you!
Love our Hughes watch dog with EPO we especially love the replaceable board if needed!!
I keep a spare on board but haven’t needed in 2years-
Great video. As I was watching the video I kept thinking I don't like how that plug is just hanging there. Coming from the boating world they have a screw on retainer ring on the end of the shore power cable. Right at the end of the video Chad takes that low hanging curve ball and knocks it out of the park. Zip tie the plug. And the fans went wild!! Never should have doubted you.
🤯 Chad love your videos on using devices!!!! Nicely done. Great explanation on devices and uses. Thanks for all your hard work on doing the vids!
I prefer hardwired in place of the pedestal plug in on the suge protectors. Having worked and had to replace many plugs on the pedestals because of the arcing as the weight of the surge devices pulls on the plug and pulling it slightly out. People don't realize the danage to a pedestal. I don't think I have ever seen a surge device starpped to the pedestal to help with weight. Anyways 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏.
I have that exact surge protector. And it works great and I love the app also. I told my brother and my friend, and they bought one also !!
Chad, by code, wire nuts not authorized on aircraft or sailboats and most vibrating machines. I'm shocked Volta used wire nuts. I have a letter into Winnebago for using wire nuts in the junction box of our Navion. The wire nuts burned along with the wire. I found in the junction box of our Navion during a regular inspection. Not only that, as it turns out this is a recurring problem with Winnebago using wire nuts on the main 30 amp junction box. Nowhere else in the Navion does Winnebago use wire nuts. I'm also seeking the codes from the RV association. Our forum referenced a Winnebago View that burned because of wire nuts. I can't believe any electrical engineer would authorize wire nuts whether wrapped with tape or not... it's just unsafe. Like you, I use the same butt connectors.
Great video Chad, was just outside looking at my power watchdog and wondering how to mount it internal to our rig…then BAMBOO, your video appeared on our feed. Beat me to it brother, thanks for blazing the trail. Mike & Juli
Love it! I did something similar between the ac control panel to the softstartup to the victorian inverter to the watchdog to the shorepower
We went with the Hughes Watchdog because the protection module is replaceable. Previous, we went through 3 of the Southwire products because there no replaceable protection module. $120 per device tomes 3 vs the Hughes was an easy choice. Also appreciate the Bluetooth monitoring on our phone.
Thanks so much for your in-depth Hughes Auto-Former video and description.
Put the hardwired 30 amp watchdog in the RV in May. Had a nearby lightning strike at the end of June and it killed the watchdog. Hughes replaced the entire unit at no cost. We were back up and protected in less that a week. I would recommend that during a thunderstorm that you kill power to the RV.
Great video, I have the same setup but I haven't hard wired mine yet. Safe travels
I think you used some old video for the autoformer. From what I read the newer units like I have, either bypass or boost 10%. They no longer boost 2% all the time. This was a change a few years ago.
Not according to my contact at Hughes or their website... hughesautoformers.com/product/50-amp-12000-watt-booster-and-surge/
@@ChangingLanes that is interesting, I don't remember reading that on their website when I bought mine a year ago and my paper work says "Your Autoformer is now monitoring the park voltage. If voltage drops to 113
volts or below, the Autoformer will boost 10% and the boosting light will
illuminate. The 50 amp circuit has two 120 volt lines. Only one line may need
a boost. The Autoformer will continuously boost 10%. Once the park voltage
rises to 115 volts or above, the boost mode will turn off." Nothing about 2% anywhere on the docs. Do you know if this has always been the case, or did something change? Thanks for the info...I'll have to get my multimeter out and do some checking :)
When we bought our fifth wheel we purchased the watch dog EPO and I love it because of the blue tooth link
The advantage of the Hughes EPO is the replaceable board.
That’s a great idea. I have been kicking around the idea of getting the bluetti solar generator, but as we don’t full time any more. I wanted to have a way to install and deinstall it. So this type of wiring idea might be the ticket
Great job I was actually thinking of doing the same thing nice to see that you did that keeping keep up the good work I enjoy the video
great video I have had the EPO for 2 years and it works great . I am going to look into the autoformer for future use .
Hi, did you ever have an E8 code with the 50amp Power Watchdog when you are plug at your house and you dont have many things drawing power in the coach ? I have a little issue when I draw not much power, let say 0.1 or 0.2 amps I'm getthing an E8 code for missing neutral at the coach, that is not true because the neutral is ok when I got stuff working at the same time. Thanks for your help.
You are not alone with the E8 Error showing up. There are a number of RVers out there that have installed Solar Systems with Victron Multiplus Inverters that are experiencing this Hughes/Watchdog "E8 - Neutral Missing" issue. I am one of those people. I have a 3200 Watt Solar system with Dual Victron Multiplus IIs, and 4/GC3 BB Batteries. After extensive discussions between Hughes Engineers and Victron Engineers, it appears Hughes has designed their (50amp EPO) system to trigger the Neutral Missing (E8) error "when L1 and L2 show equal power", and the time frame they use to trigger the E8 error is too short for the differences between L1 and L2 truly appear to the Watchdog from a Victron Inverter. The Watchdog then shuts-down all power to the RV, (and I might add send an erroneous Message to the user on the E8 error that the issue with within the RVers' coach). If you use a "Dog Bone" adapter (30amp-to-50amp) to plug in to 30 amp at the Shore Power, there is no E8 Neutral Missing issue.
I have personally heard / talked to a few RVers that this occurred to, and they took the E8 Error message to heart and ended up taking their RV to a Repair Facility/Dealership to have their RV's electrical system checked out, only to have their RV down for a few months due to repair lead times, with nothing found wrong with their RV, and then also get saddled with a rather large bill for the time/effort to have their electrical system checked out.
Many have tried to add some current draw (via a Light Bulb or a Fan) to one of the power legs (L1 or L2 ), ...some get around this E8 issue, one guy had to hit the Reset on the Watchdog Phone App 5-10 times to get power to his RV.... most I have talked to have not got around the issue.
Hughes is aware of this timing issue with the Watchdog, but this will require a firmware design change on the Watchdog that will take some time to get into Hughes production deployment.
I have been an RVer for over 30 years and have a rather good electrical background (done whole home electrical systems). I question Hughes' Method of determining what constitutes a "Neutral Missing" on their Watchdog, as does most of the electricians I have discussed this situation with. I got rid of my Hughes Watchdog 50 amp EPO and replaced it with a Progressive Power protector, after in-depth discussion and validation with Progressive's Engineering department on their design. Have never had a problem since replacing the Hughes Watchdog and using the Progressive Power Protection System.
@@louie3552 Thanks for all that detail louie3552, well explain. Hughes should not sell the EPO 50amp because it is not working properly, you spend money and you dont know that problem.
Well, my experience is with the ability (inability) to use a Hughes Watchdog with Victron Inverters/ Solar Systems. The Watchdog may work fine when not using Victron Inverters in a RV Coach as noted by other comments to Chad's video. Yeah, I am out ~$300 for the cost of the Watchdog. I found out about (stumbled on) this situation the 2nd day of a 6 month RV journey right after my Solar install, but I have enough Solar power/Batteries to supplement the reduced "30 amp" Shore Power during my 6 month trip for all my 5ths RV power needs.
(set the Victron to only accept 26 amps from Shore on the 30amp Shore connection using a 30 to 50amp Dog Bone, and then addressed this issue when I got back home. '22 Grand Design 380 FL-R/3 air option, residential fridge).
Take care Steve. You can be assured you have another vendor option (Progressive) that does not have this issue. Really liked the Bluetooth Phone App with the Watchdog, .... the Progressive Internal units only have a small hardwired LED monitor that scrolls information. My Progressive unit is internal as I did not want to deal with (unfortunately the world we now live in) post power protector theft, as well as exposing an external post power protector to the weather elements. Another RVer who ran into this situation is now using a External (post) Progressive unit and working just fine now after his Watchdog replacement as well.@@stevebeaulieu2617
I learn a good amount. Thanks for putting in the time and making this possible.
Have you considered EMP suppression ?
I know there are EMF suppression devices for things like cell phones, but I don't think a lot can be done about an actual EMP like you'd get from an atomic blast.
Awesome video!! Thank you very much!!
Chad, you’ve made a good job on that installation.
Miss y’all. I really enjoy watching y’all ❤
Thanks Chad - I'm gonna call you "Mr. Flexability"!
I think you have almost any variable covered. - Cheers!
Sure.. just don't ask for a high kick or a split! 😂🤣
Great video.
I love your "how I did it videos".
I have the hardwire version. But, can you hardwire autoformer in as well… and would be before or after the surge protector. It looks like you gave it after. ( I’ll check the video again 🤦♂️
The hardwire kit I show in the video is the only way to hard wire the autoformer. Hughes recommends autoformer before surge protector.. 👍🏼
This is how i wired mine in my 351ms. Last year
I love my Watchdog. It’s not hard wired in.