Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 145
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Post by Chris RV Living on Jun 10, 2020 12:55:26 GMT -5
Has anyone installed a Hughes Autoformer in their CONNECT?
And hardwired it so you don't need to worry about it being stolen or growing legs?
I am studying the Hughes Autoformer pages, and they have the instructions, but wondering if people were able to squeeze it in their CONNECT
We have the CONNECT 2020 RB261
I haven't purchased the HUGHES equipment yet... wondering what others thoughts are
do you use a surge protector?
Hardwired or just plugged in, in-line?
What about an Autoformer?
Thanks
Chris
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Post by lynnmor on Jun 10, 2020 13:00:25 GMT -5
I use a Hughes and plug it in only when needed, it came with a locking cable. I also cover it with a plastic wastebasket for protection from rain and to keep it out of sight.
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 145
|
Post by Chris RV Living on Jun 10, 2020 13:10:40 GMT -5
I use a Hughes and plug it in only when needed, it came with a locking cable. I also cover it with a plastic wastebasket for protection from rain and to keep it out of sight. So if at the time you setup, you plug it in and if parameters are within spec you don't bother using it at all? I thought some times over the course of your stay, with other RVers coming and going there could be loads put on the parks system that then may drop the voltages below spec? Just curious more about only using it occasionally |
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Post by lynnmor on Jun 10, 2020 19:58:07 GMT -5
I use a Hughes and plug it in only when needed, it came with a locking cable. I also cover it with a plastic wastebasket for protection from rain and to keep it out of sight. So if at the time you setup, you plug it in and if parameters are within spec you don't bother using it at all? I thought some times over the course of your stay, with other RVers coming and going there could be loads put on the parks system that then may drop the voltages below spec? Just curious more about only using it occasionally Your thinking is correct. I check the voltage and polarity when I arrive and then take the best guess about what the loads will be and the condition of the park wiring in general. If the weather is cool I won't be needing the AC and most others as well, so voltage should remain good. My digital voltmeter is in plain sight and can be read from nearly anywhere in the trailer, if voltage is not holding well, the Hughes is added. About 80 to 90 percent of the time I don't use it. |
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Post by arcticgabe on Feb 1, 2021 17:14:50 GMT -5
Chris, we're getting the same trailer. It should be here in another couple weeks. I am also looking at the Hughes Bulldog surge protector, and I'd like to get the hardwired version. Since it's pretty much the same price as the portable one, I'd like to install it permanently to avoid theft and so I don't forget to use it. Since I don't have the trailer yet, I'm not sure what kind of space is available to install it.
Since the hardwired version and the portable version are the same price, is there any DISADVANTAGE to getting the hardwired one (other than taking the time to install it)?
Thanks,
Dave
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Post by amvince on Feb 2, 2021 20:28:47 GMT -5
I have the Southwire 34391. It seems to work great and I was able to find it on sale for under $200.00. I think I just got lucky. If you do consider it though the bluetooth part is an add on. I keep mine plugged in all the time since I have a 30 amp connection at my house.
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Chris RV Living
Seasonal RV’er
Starting to add Boondocking to our camping experience.....
Posts: 145
|
Post by Chris RV Living on Feb 21, 2021 11:04:32 GMT -5
Chris, we're getting the same trailer. It should be here in another couple weeks. I am also looking at the Hughes Bulldog surge protector, and I'd like to get the hardwired version. Since it's pretty much the same price as the portable one, I'd like to install it permanently to avoid theft and so I don't forget to use it. Since I don't have the trailer yet, I'm not sure what kind of space is available to install it. Since the hardwired version and the portable version are the same price, is there any DISADVANTAGE to getting the hardwired one (other than taking the time to install it)? Thanks, Dave I ended up getting the portable one. I haven't explored the interior spaced to find where the power comes in for an appropriate hardwire location on the connect. I've been fine so far with portable. If I get around to opening more of the sealed spaces and think it would be easy to install I may just hardwire it in. So far the only electrical changes I did was to put an outlet on the far side of the bathroom counter where you would want to plug in electric tooth brushes, shavers etc. Why they put the outlet right at the sink makes no sense to me, other than saving 4-5ft of electric cable |
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Post by arcticgabe on Feb 22, 2021 18:36:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. Our trailer arrived at the dealer, so we went to go look at it a couple days ago. It looks like the main power cable plugs in directly behind the linen closet in the bathroom. One of the things I looked for specifically was to see if there was a removable access panel inside the closet, but I didn't see anything. If I can't find an easy way to mount this thing, I may end up going with a portable, also.
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Post by Edd505 on Feb 22, 2021 20:37:23 GMT -5
Your thinking is correct. I check the voltage and polarity when I arrive and then take the best guess about what the loads will be and the condition of the park wiring in general. If the weather is cool I won't be needing the AC and most others as well, so voltage should remain good. My digital voltmeter is in plain sight and can be read from nearly anywhere in the trailer, if voltage is not holding well, the Hughes is added. About 80 to 90 percent of the time I don't use it. Only takes one surge, I lost an alarm clock, fireplace, and TV with a surge. I now use an inline any time I am on shore power. Your electronic equipment on surge protectors at home? I live in never never land and power goes out and minutes or hours it's back. Surge protectors do just that, protect equipment. |
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Post by 323rkfamily on Mar 18, 2021 15:37:52 GMT -5
I bought one of these EMS-PT50X 50 Amp EMS with Surge Protection
When we bought our camper. The first weekend we were out camping the campground had a low voltage hit during a lightning storm and it kicked the power. Probably saved something from going bad in our camper. Defiantly worth the 350 bucks I paid considering all the high tech stuff in these new campers.
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Post by Edd505 on Mar 18, 2021 18:45:23 GMT -5
I bought one of these EMS-PT50X 50 Amp EMS with Surge Protection When we bought our camper. The first weekend we were out camping the campground had a low voltage hit during a lightning storm and it kicked the power. Probably saved something from going bad in our camper. Defiantly worth the 350 bucks I paid considering all the high tech stuff in these new campers. Exactly what the surge protectors for, one surge and it's paid for it self and saved a ton of gravitation. |
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