Surge Protector - Hughes Autoformer

MiquelCamo

I couldn't find anything when I searched the forum. Is anyone familiar with this?

https://www.amazon.com/Hughes-Autoformer-PWD30-Power-Protector/dp/B0791RW8M2/ref=sr_1_9?gclid=CjwKCAjwq4fsBRBnEiwANTahcJptD7ySmS_zXzJ1B5e_Edz004ZQXWUakoh5ZW1hZPDNUrkVpgn50xoCHtUQAvD_BwE&hvadid=174261815261&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023808&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15942507197574781914&hvtargid=kwd-128768577883&hydadcr=24658_9648989&keywords=surge+guard+34830&qid=1568818108&sr=8-9

falcon1970

Check out the Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X.  It will not only tell you what the line condition is at the moment but will also protect your circuitry from over- or under-voltage, surges, and many other deficiencies while in use.  It is somewhat pricy ($250 at Walmart) and it doesn't have a cell phone app, but it won't let "bad" electricity to your camper.  Rather than telling you via an app about an electrical fault it will isolate the trailer's electrical system to protect it as soon as the fault occurs.

wooper

I also bought the EMS-PT30X.  When I thought about buying a cheaper one I also considered the cost and hassle of blowing electronics and rewiring my 320S.  This past week we were camping and a thunderstorm hit at night.  One close lightening crash cause us to lose our power and I thought the worst.  But a couple of minutes later the power came back on and all was fine.  Maybe a cheaper model might have had the same result.  Maybe nothing would have happened if I didn't have surge protector.  But I feel better that I did.

JEB

MiquelCamo said:

I couldn't find anything when I searched the forum. Is anyone familiar with this?

https://www.amazon.com/Hughes-Autoformer-PWD30-Power-Protector/dp/B0791RW8M2/ref=sr_1_9?gclid=CjwKCAjwq4fsBRBnEiwANTahcJptD7ySmS_zXzJ1B5e_Edz004ZQXWUakoh5ZW1hZPDNUrkVpgn50xoCHtUQAvD_BwE&hvadid=174261815261&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023808&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15942507197574781914&hvtargid=kwd-128768577883&hydadcr=24658_9648989&keywords=surge+guard+34830&qid=1568818108&sr=8-9

What you’re asking about isn’t really a surge protector.  It’s a portable transformer.  And it’s an interesting idea.  It’s big and heavy and designed to absorb energy and then release it in a way that boosts undervoltage conditions.  Unlike a good surge protector, which will cut the power when voltage drops to levels that could damage your electronics, this monster does just the opposite:  it boosts voltage by as much as 10V when voltage gets low.  But it’s a zero sum game—the extra juice has to come from somewhere and that generally means you’ll be taking voltage from someone else, like your neighbors.  A lot of campgrounds don’t allow them for this reason. 

N7SHG_Ham

Hughes does have surge protector solutions. https://hughesautoformers.com/power-watchdog-smart-surge-protectors/

One other addition lwould check offerings from Surge Guard, there are now serveral options besides the often recommended Progressive Industries. I do have one of the Progressive Industries ones, but there may be better choices these days. I don't know about the Hughes ones, but I looked at Surge Guard after I bought and kind of wished I had gone that way.

JEB

N7SHG_Ham said:

Hughes does have surge protector solutions. https://hughesautoformers.com/power-watchdog-smart-surge-protectors/

One other addition lwould check offerings from Surge Guard, there are now serveral options besides the often recommended Progressive Industries. I do have one of the Progressive Industries ones, but there may be better choices these days. I don't know about the Hughes ones, but I looked at Surge Guard after I bought and kind of wished I had gone that way.

Right you are.  I saw the reference to autoformer and thought he was referencing the transformer, which is kind of what Hughes is known for.   In that case, I’d go with Progressive.  Surge protectors are what Progressive is known for and their customer service is excellent. When you call with a question, you’ll actually get to talk to someone who knows what they’re talking about. 

Denny16

Those reviews are not about the device the OP referenced.  He is showing a simple line tester/surge protection device, which should give the protection it advertises.
This is a different device to the Autoformer voltage regulator, which reduces spikes and under voltage issues.

The Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X unit, provides a better level of protection and power line diagnostics over the Hughes unit referenced by the OP.  The Hughes unit should give basic protection, check the power hookup for ground and wiring connection issues and provide some surge protection.  It is better than not using some type of protection device.

cheers

Sharon_is_SAM

Thanks @Denny16 - I started a new thread.

jkjenn

The big difference is that Progressive offers a lifetime warranty, the others do not.