Will The Watchdog Surge Protector Still Work If You Use A Y-Adapter To Get Power

Updated 12/19/2022 | Published 12/17/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Power Watchdog Surge Protector with Bluetooth and Emergency Shut Down - Hardwired - 50 Amp

(683)

$343.02

Mighty Cord RV Power Cord Adapter - 30 Amp Female to 50 Amp Male - 12" Long

(1305)

$30.17

Question:

Will the 50 amp RV watchdog still function when combining a 20 amp, and 30 amp shore plug into a single 50 amp plug using a Y-adapter, even if the 2 phases are in sync? More context: Line 1 and Line 2 measure 0 volts when combined, but they measure 120v individually instead of 240v combined in an opposite phase configuration. I have no 240v appliances in my motorhome. Also, if I trip the 20 amp breaker, will the watchdog still function off of the single 30 amp connection when one of the lines while in use?

asked by: Kevin H

Expert Reply:

The Power Watchdog Surge Protector # HU27FR is just there to cut the power to your RV in the event that the voltage drops below 104v or surges above 132v to protect the electronics is your RV. Changing how the RV gets that power won't affect it as long as it stays within that voltage range.

For example, if you were at a campsite with 30 amp service and used a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter like the # A10-5030FBK your RV would only be getting 30 amps and the surge protector would still function as normal.

The Y-adapter you're referencing is only going to give you a 15 amp leg and 30 amp leg so you could run into power issues if you're trying to run a lot of appliances at once or use two AC units. This obviously isn't the best/safest option so I highly recommend having a licensed electrician install a 50 amp outlet so you can get full service for your RV.

expert reply by: Kevin C