I like many things about the Power Watchdog, and the Bluetooth phone app works well (I use Android). The reason for only four installation stars is that there is an issue that Hughes needs to improve. My unit is the PWD50-EPO-H, i.e., the hardwired model. I followed the included wiring diagram, but with some trepidation because the bottom = input, top = output was opposite from the charts and documents on Hughes' website (which last week when I looked had bottom = output, top = input). I emailed them but by the time I received a reply, I had posted this review.

My email asked why such a change was not described in the materials I received or on their website. Adding to the confusion, my hardwired unit's in/out polarity is opposite to the plugged units. While doing the installation, I noticed that 'IN' or 'OUT' is embossed in the black plastic of the wiring blocks; it is hard to see unless you shine a bright light on them. I was relieved that the embossed IN and OUT matched the wiring diagram supplied with the unit. Open and adequate documentation of significant changes, such as power polarity, will generally experience fewer customer returns! All good product manuals include a 'change table' to check the unit's serial number. vs. any changes that the installer needs to know about. If I hear from Hughes that they have resolved this product changes/documentation problem, I will consider updating my review. Besides this, the product already saved my RV from a potentially harmful, albeit transient, situation in my shore power connection by shutting off the power and displaying an error code, power returning automatically once the PWD determined the problem had been resolved.

Addendum:

I heard back from Hughes. The company changed the IN/OUT orientation of the hardwired 50 A Power Watchdog (model PWD50-EPO-H) to IN=bottom and OUT=top due to popular demand! Moreover, wiring the unit 'backwards' would not usually damage it, but neither will it work unless wired correctly to shore power. The change to the new OUT=top orientation was beneficial for my setup. If that had not been the case, I would have needed a longer OUT power cable to the breaker panel, although I could have achieved the same by mounting the unit upside-down, albeit making the 7-segment LED error readout more challenging to read. The Hughes representative said the PWD50-EPO-H documents on the Hughes website should have been updated to reflect the IN/OUT change.

Victron Compatibility:

I asked the Hughes representative about the following cryptic comment on their website:

****[PWD50-EPO] May not be compatible with Victron Multiplus 2 inverters

He explained that if you use the PWD50-EPO between the Victron MultiPlus-II inverter & charger 3000 VA, 2x120 Volts AC, 70 Amp charger (3000/70-50 2x120V Multi-II) and an RV, the way that this inverter starts up is detected by the PWD50-EPO as a fault. The solution is to place the inverter after the PWD50-EPO. While this cannot protect your RV from abnormal inverter operation, such Victron behavior is unlikely because of the inverter's protection circuits.

We’ve been using this for our RV for about five months now, seems to be doing his job. We’ve had zero issues with it.

We live in an RV park with aging infrastructure and have a new RV that we want to stay in good shape. I ordered this as insurance against costly electrical system damage. We installed it in minutes and all was well. The next day it shut off the power and didn't restore it which annoyed my husband to no end as it is currently about 110 so AC is important. The code was ground fault error and he insisted the ground on our power post was fine so he took it out of the line. A week later the next row over was without power while repairs were made for grounding issues. Purchase validated! It is back in service and we have had no issues in our new spot. The only feedback I would give is that it would be good if the app actually tells you what the issue is rather than just giving a code and the device logo, while cute, is a bright shining steal me beacon at night. It would be nice to be able to turn that light off with a switch or setting rather than duct tape.

All in all, money well spent and I like that I can replace just the sacrificial part if needed after a power surge.

Im an electrician by trade i have worked power monitor devices for several years though i would try out the device and create a fault in my rv and see how it would respond I am a professional and would not advise anyone to try this their self . So I created a fault and the device opened the Circuit immediately the trip time is set very fast . The light on the watch dog turned Red . I then removed the fault opened the app and it gave an over current fault on L1 gave the option to rest the fault wich I did and the power was restored.

Overall great power management product. Well made . Has a metal tag that you can have the ability to add a lock and chain. Ive had zero trouble connecting to the device via Bluetooth the app works trouble free

The trip time again was quick to open the circuit to prevent damage . This is far superior to cheaper surge protectors that do not have the ability to open and close the circuit

So glad we picked this up, there are a lot of other similar products but personally for me, what sold me was the overall build quality and the fact that if ever needed, we could contact the manufacturer and have parts replaced in the case of a surge, no need to replace the entire thing. This was easy to use, easy to setup, easy to understand. We had one error message when we used too much voltage one time and it was easy to decipher. I just wish the app you download had the instructions it came with as Hubby accidentally threw them away. Luckily we found it online but it would have been a lot more handy and more useful to have it actually built within the app itself so we can quickly decipher the error code. Overall, worth it.

My first trip out with the Hughes Watch Dog PWD50-EPO was this past weekend. Plugged it into the power post first, got the white light and heard the relay kick in very quickly. Paired my phone using the App and I was in business. Within about 10 minutes however the unit turned RED, and shut off with a error of low voltage. I checked the app and saw that the voltage was in fact not low, as in I was seeing 118 to 12o volt on both legs of power. After 90 seconds the power came back on as it again saw stable power. Then within 5 minuted the power was off again. This time however I watched on the app and the voltage never dropped off. I let it run through a couple more cycles before thinking this unit is crap and plugged directly into the power post. That night however each time the Heat Pump came on and just as the Heat Pump was shutting down we would loose power. I knew this because I an on CPAP and would get that "there's no air to breath feeling". I concluded something must be wrong, and checked the power post. The breaker was warmer than it should be so I switched to the 30 A power through a dog-bone connector. I never had another issue the entire weekend. Notified the campground of the problem but it was a holiday weekend and we were not there when someone showed up to look at it. I am assuming there was a bad connection somewhere in the power post having something to do with the L2 connection, but that will never be confirmed, since we are no longer there. So instead of returning the unit, I plan to give it another go at a different campground in the next few weeks. I am assuming the app just isn't taking enough data points to indicate the drop in power that was shutting the unit off. One thing I would like to see is a history of errors and shuts owns on the app, but for now it is handy to have the information it broad casts. I will post an update if I learn any more about the unit. I do need to find a way to dim down that white light. Poor tent campers near me didn't need that shining in their camping area.

Bought this to replace a cheaper surge protector for my 50A RV.

It does everything. Allows you to monitor voltage, current and watts on each phase coming into your RV. Also, shows cumulative KWH and is re-settable.

Has an IPhone app that allows you to monitor via Bluetooth connection.

I have only 3 complaints about the unit.

1. The APP is poorly executed. It sends notifications every time the Bluetooth connects or disconnects. Can be very annoying.

2. The light inside the unit is very bright. At night you could read by it.

3. The voltage monitor is very sensitive. If there is a momentary drop or surge of either phase, it will disconnect your power for 2 minutes. This is a protective function but I think it could be set a little less sensitive. Resetting clocks and waiting for satellite boxes to reboot can be annoying.

I love that this goes inside the trailer. We had the one that was for outside and we had to lock it up to make sure no one stole it. We have not worries with this one. It has worked great and we also don't have to worry about it getting wet outside. We highly recommend this brand and this style. My husband is not an electrician and he was still able to install it with YouTube.

Great upgrade, easy install and gives great piece of mind with both the surge protection and power monitoring via the app. Wish it was wifi as well as Bluetooth.

Parfait

Nice product and the app is nice. Could use a history log with the app, unless there is one, all i can see if current status.

One issue, it is 6v off from actual. The voltage is low at the campground which I had notified the utility company to adjust. The voltage on both sides of the watchdog has been confirmed at 110 volts, using my voltmeter and an electricians volt meter. The app indicates 104 and the power shuts off for the 90 seconds. I wish there was a bypass to the device for these situations. I had to remove and splice the wires.

I reached out to Hughes but have had no response. For now, it is useless until I get a response and some support. Wish it could be field calibrated by myself.

Works great, monitors electricity coming in, peace of mind