Community Forums

Desdinova · 03-05-2022, 05:31 PM

Just a PSA. Lock your Hughes Watchdog. Be it with a little cable like the one they sell or a bicycle lock to your frame or the power pole, Lock IT !!!

Our's was on the back of our RV. It's there because the RV is plugged into a heavy shore power extension. Someone who cut through our yard took notice of it, and a few days later, it was gone. It's embarrassing because I didn't even think about it. Had it had a lock, they would have had to struggle to get it off which would have put them in view of the security camera. But, as all they needed to do was unplug it and go, they must have come up on the blind side o the rig, and just reached around and unplugged it. It's my fault. The Camera wasn't pointing directly at it, and, well it wasn't locked.

Yes, if someone really wanted it, they could cut the lock, or cut the cable (likely lighting themselves up and ruining the unit) but there it was, with it's big doggy face saying take me, take me.

As I mention above. Just a PSA. It has the ability to lock it easy enough.

USMCRET · 03-05-2022, 06:01 PM

The fault is with the scumbag who took it.

TomsMaHauL · 03-05-2022, 08:40 PM

I hate that happened to you. I'm not surprised, though. I've met a few RVers who, recently, have started up their motorhomes, and were quickly surprised to discover that their catalytic converters were stolen.

Wacdmc · 03-05-2022, 09:56 PM

I would replace it with the permanently installed unit. It’s an easy install for anyone with basic wiring knowledge.

RonandDeb · 03-06-2022, 07:05 PM

I lock mine and cover it with a dark plastic bag as it's very bright as night. Sorry to hear that this happened. People will steal anything they can..

glwinger · 03-07-2022, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wacdmc

I would replace it with the permanently installed unit. It’s an easy install for anyone with basic wiring knowledge.

Agree. Someone who really wants to steal it would just come back with bolt cutters.

I have no idea why Hughes decided to light up the unit the way they do. A coupled of small LED's would have been enough.
Free advertising????

69Stang · 03-07-2022, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonandDeb

I lock mine and cover it with a dark plastic bag as it's very bright as night. Sorry to hear that this happened. People will steal anything they can..

The face being so bright is about the only thing I don't like about mine. They should have put a dimmer on it so you could turn down the brightness.

I cut my cord in the bay and installed connectors. Now I leave it hooked up in the bay. Locked up and out of site, even with the brightly let dog face.

Planeteer · 03-07-2022, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the PSA
I just bought a 30 amp Hughes, but haven't used it yet. I plan to buy a lock and print a heavy sticker/label to cover the dog face on front. Hopefully that helps...

Triangle Drifter · 03-07-2022, 09:47 AM

Just ordered one after having a Progressive Industries one for at least ten years which died late last season. Maybe put some tape over that dog face.

69Stang · 03-07-2022, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triangle Drifter

Just ordered one after having a Progressive Industries one for at least ten years which died late last season. Maybe put some tape over that dog face.

If you put tape over the face you won't see it turn red when you have an error. You can still see the error code, just not as noticeable.

geordi · 03-07-2022, 11:08 AM

If permanent install in the bay is difficult - turning your shore cable into an extension cord is as easy as a couple connectors. I have mine inside my electric bay as well - and nobody needs to know it is there but me.

momdoc · 03-07-2022, 11:30 AM

That is one of the reasons why we got a progressive system and had it mounted in the electric bay with remote monitor in the cab of the coach.

Donskiman · 03-07-2022, 11:59 AM

We've not had a problem so far. At home our coach is behind a locked gate so no one is going to be casually walking thru our yard. We've only had our coach since April of 2021, but no problems on any of the trips. We have bought a cable lock we will use when we go out this year. I doubt most people in campgrounds or RV parks carry tools to cut thru a cable, but anything is possible.

Desdinova · 03-07-2022, 10:35 PM

Just for followup.

I actually did order the wired version, but there really isn't a decent place to put it so I returned it for another portable. As I mentioned, had it been locked like the new one is with a regular bike lock they would have had to spend some time, make noise, and the perps would have been on camera. I guess I'll hide this little confession that I have two cameras on the area that didn't quite overlap. There was a blind spot, right on the Watchdog. That has been fixed. However, even with the bad camera angle, if they couldn't just "unplug it and walk" I would have had them, and they would have been on their way upriver which is our version of the TV show Yellowstone train station, only ours is real and well known to the local over the years.

As far as the glowing dog... they actually sell a tinted mylar sheet that really really dims the dog. Basically in daylight, you'd only see it was lit if it was red, and at night, it's very dim. I highly recommend it.