Hughes PWD50 vs PWD50EPO

[MichaelL]

I am looking to upgrade my surge protector to 50 amps. I have narrowed it down to either the Hughes PWD50 or the PWD50EPO.
Is the PWD50EPO worth the extra $75 - $100, depending where you buy it?
Thanks

 

[jkwilson]

Absolutely.

The EPO protects your equipment from numerous power faults like low and high voltage, wiring errors and wire failures by shutting power down.

 

[finz04]

I guess it comes down to how much risk you are willing to assume. The non EPO model is a high end surge protector. For the extra $75 to $100 the EPO (emergency power off) model adds additional protections. It will shut off power to the coach if voltage drops below 104 or goes above 132 or if detects an open ground or open neutral. Each of these conditions can cause damage to your electronics.

If cost is the primary concern and all you want is surge protection, there are several less expensive units on the market that do a pretty good job.

 

[MichaelL]

Thanks. I will be getting the EPO version..Now the question is, should I wait for the Gen 2 version?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Thanks. I will be getting the EPO version..Now the question is, should I wait for the Gen 2 version?

What's the difference?

 

[finz04]

Gen 2 includes a WiFi module. I suppose it could be useful if your rig is set up as a seasonal and you’re not there all the time. You would still get alerts. But you would need access to full time WiFi at the trailer. It also looks like they have eliminated having an EPO vs non EPO models. The Gen 2 includes the EPO feature and there is no Gen 2 non-EPO model.

 

[Tony_in_AZ]

We have the gen 1 EPO Hughes unit. It has shut down the power on low voltage a few times. A bad - open ground caused a shut off too. It has bluetooth. I can watch voltage and learn what item in the RV is using how much power, etc via my phone.

About 2 yrs ago , we complained on low voltage at a older RV park.. Of course the park management disagreed with several of us campers... then a few weeks later a transformer goes up in fire. The power company opened a 2nd transformer for a look see and it was deemed unsafe and was shut down too.

the Gen 2 Hughes EPO unit has a better setup for plugging in to it. Not sure all cords would fit tho?

 

[MichaelL]

We have the gen 1 EPO Hughes unit. It has shut down the power on low voltage a few times. A bad - open ground caused a shut off too. It has bluetooth. I can watch voltage and learn what item in the RV is using how much power, etc via my phone.

About 2 yrs ago , we complained on low voltage at a older RV park.. Of course the park management disagreed with several of us campers... then a few weeks later a transformer goes up in fire. The power company opened a 2nd transformer for a look see and it was deemed unsafe and was shut down too.

the Gen 2 Hughes EPO unit has a better setup for plugging in to it. Not sure all cords would fit tho?

After it has shut down, and the power returns to the normal range, does the unit automatically re-connect or do you have to reset it?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

After it has shut down, and the power returns to the normal range, does the unit automatically re-connect or do you have to reset it?

Ours would restart automatically when the voltage was back in range.

 

[Tony_in_AZ]

After it has shut down, and the power returns to the normal range, does the unit automatically re-connect or do you have to reset it?

My Hughes EPO unit resets automatically

 

[el Rojo]

The Gen 2 units are available. Since we have Starlink we have wifi at the RV. I can see what is going on in the trailer while I'm away. It's also alerts you if you lose shore power, which is great for us since we have dogs.

 

[MichaelL]

Thanks for the info

 

[tvolball]

We have the EPO and I'm glad I spent the extra money. We were at a campground last year when a bad storm came through and a large tree fell across one of the main lines feeding this campground. This campground was feed from 2 different power lines. The tree fell across the one we were not tied into but it caused a surge on our line as well. The EPO shut our power down instantly protecting us and after everything stabilized, it automatically brought the power back on to us.

 

[Wandering5thwheelers]

I am looking to upgrade my surge protector to 50 amps. I have narrowed it down to either the Hughes PWD50 or the PWD50EPO.
Is the PWD50EPO worth the extra $75 - $100, depending where you buy it?
Thanks

I have this one from Progressive and love it!

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Just a FWIW: check the female plug contacts on occasion. Ours developed a loose connection over time, and melted the plug.

 

[MichaelL]

Just a FWIW: check the female plug contacts on occasion. Ours developed a loose connection over time, and melted the plug.

 

[kb0zke]

I went with the PWD50EPO and hardwired the shore power cord to it. Works great. With our battery setup, if a storm is coming I will unplug and run on batteries overnight. If the storm comes up during the night I have the PWD.