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Old 01-06-2021, 10:55 AM   #1
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For you Hughes Autoformer users - how do you use/mount it?

How are you Hughes Autoformer users actually using the unit? I see on the Progressive Industries portables, it plugs into the pedestal and hangs from there, and then you plug your coaches power cprd into there. That's easy. The Hughes unit, from the photos I see, is a steel box with a cord. I guess it's supposed to just sit on the ground at the base of the pedestal? How are you guys physically setting this up when you use it?
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Old 01-06-2021, 11:05 AM   #2
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There's a big difference between the two devices. The Progressive Industries products are surge suppressors and portable EMS devices. They are much smaller and lighter than the Hughes autoformer. However, the manner of use of the Hughes system is the same--plug it into the pedestal and plug the RV's power cord into the box. The box sits on the ground; it is way too heavy to dangle from the outlet.
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Old 01-06-2021, 11:27 AM   #3
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Hughes now has a wall mount bracket if you want to permanently install the unit. The only other restriction that I know of is that they want you to transport the unit in an upright position. That's because they epoxy some heavy internal components that might come loose from road shocks.

FWIW, many of us just leave the unit sitting upright in the electrical bin. I've not had any issues using mine that way.
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Old 01-06-2021, 12:00 PM   #4
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There's a big difference between the two devices. The Progressive Industries products are surge suppressors and portable EMS devices. They are much smaller and lighter than the Hughes autoformer. However, the manner of use of the Hughes system is the same--plug it into the pedestal and plug the RV's power cord into the box. The box sits on the ground; it is way too heavy to dangle from the outlet.
I would seem to me, uniitiated as I am, that the Hughes is a more capable box than the Progressive Industries. Would that be a fair statement? What does each do better than the other?
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Old 01-06-2021, 12:02 PM   #5
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Hughes now has a wall mount bracket if you want to permanently install the unit. The only other restriction that I know of is that they want you to transport the unit in an upright position. That's because they epoxy some heavy internal components that might come loose from road shocks.

FWIW, many of us just leave the unit sitting upright in the electrical bin. I've not had any issues using mine that way.
I thought of that, just leaving the Hughes unit in the electrical bay. However, then you're limited to using just the length of the cord on the Hughes unit to reach the pedestal, and if you're too far away you/re out of luck, no? Also, I worry about leaving it on the muddy ground, being out in the rain, and possible theft. How do you Hughes usesrs deal wth these logistical issues?
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Old 01-06-2021, 12:16 PM   #6
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I hard wired my Progressive surge protector in next to the transfer switch. This protects the coach from surges, reverse polarity, open neutral, high & Low voltage.



We carry an Autoformer and only use it if we have low voltage. I could mount it somewhere but just leave it loose, I can put it next to the pedestal or use an extension cord from it to the pedestal and then plug the coach into it. I purchased this when we were staying long term at a campground with a problem of low voltage. Only way we could run the AC's.



Both units serve a different function but are good to have. If I could choose just one I'd pick the surge protector.
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Old 01-06-2021, 12:18 PM   #7
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I hard wired my Progressive surge protector in next to the transfer switch. This protects the coach from surges, reverse polarity, open neutral, high & Low voltage.



We carry an Autoformer and only use it if we have low voltage. I could mount it somewhere but just leave it loose, I can put it next to the pedestal or use an extension cord from it to the pedestal and then plug the coach into it. I purchased this when we were staying long term at a campground with a problem of low voltage. Only way we could run the AC's.



Both units serve a different function but are good to have. If I could choose just one I'd pick the surge protector.
The Hughes Autoformer has a surge protector built in. Is it not as good?
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Old 01-06-2021, 12:30 PM   #8
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I wired mine in to a small storage cabinet next to the electrical cabinet. The 50A electrical cord was removed from the transfer switch input and now comes from the pedestal into that storage cabinet and connects into a 50A outlet. The Hughes plugs in to that outlet. A short length of 50A power cord then plugs in to the output of the Hughes and goes up into the interior cabinet where the transfer switch is located. Completely out of sight.
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Old 01-06-2021, 04:31 PM   #9
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The Hughes Autoformer has a surge protector built in. Is it not as good?
The better Progressive industries devices are energy management systems, not surge supressors. The ability to block things like floating neutrals, reversed polarity, low voltage, high voltage, etc are more important IMO than surge suppression.
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Old 01-06-2021, 05:05 PM   #10
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I would seem to me, uniitiated as I am, that the Hughes is a more capable box than the Progressive Industries. Would that be a fair statement? What does each do better than the other?
The company is "Hughes Autoformers" and they make a voltage-boosting device they call the Hughes Autoformer.

They also later started making electrical protection devices like Progressive Industries does.

When you wrote "you Hughes Autoformer users" in the title, I'd bet people thought you were referring to the voltage-boosting device called a Hughes Autoformer when you appear to be referring to their electrical protection products. I definitely did, anyways.

As for the comparison between their electrical protection devices, you need to be very careful that you are comparing like products. Both companies make real electrical protective devices and both make fairly useless electrical monitoring devices.

I use the Progressive Industries hard-wired device. If I were buying today, I would buy the Hughes hard-wired device simply because I think its Bluetooth monitoring app provides me more data, such as true KWH usage. But that would be the only reason. I think both are capable units.

FWIW,

Ray
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Old 01-06-2021, 05:59 PM   #11
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I have the hardwired Progressive Ind EMS mounted in the basement of the trailer with the remote read out inside the RV. I mounted my Hughes Autoformer in the basement with a bypass plug in front of the EMS. It has worked this way for years.

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Old 01-06-2021, 08:51 PM   #12
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If you're talking about the Autoformer, I plug it into the pedestal, set it on a brick to keep it off the ground, chain it to the pedestal and cover it with a bucket to keep it out of the rain.
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Old 01-06-2021, 09:01 PM   #13
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If you're talking about the Autoformer, I plug it into the pedestal, set it on a brick to keep it off the ground, chain it to the pedestal and cover it with a bucket to keep it out of the rain.

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Old 01-06-2021, 09:55 PM   #14
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Well.......... long story, but I took a complete U turn. Based on cost, capabilities and hassle (for lack of a better term) - I just ordered the Hughes PWD50-EPO-H. It does more than the Autoformer, with the exception of boosting the voltage when it's low. In this case I am still protected from low voltage, except that instead of boosting low voltage, it cuts the power to protect my A/C units and residential fridge. Once power comes back up to spec, it turns the power on automatically. I figure if the power stays bad for an extended period I can always power up the generator to cool off the coach and fridge. It offers lots of additional protections over the Autoformer, and it's considerabley more affordable at $227 delivered. It has a field replaceable surge protection module, and it connects to my smartphone via their proprietary app. I can monitor voltage, power usage, etc. It messages me via my phone if there is a problem with the power. I ordered the hardwired version so that I have no additional things to hook up, no theft issue and no issues when it rains, etc. Hopefully it works out well.
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