June 26, 2025

Protect Your RV Like a Pro: Surge Protectors & Voltage Boosters with Hughes Autoformers

47 minutes

In this episode of Beyond The Wheel, we sit down with Brett Thomas, General Manager of Hughes Autoformers, to break down the essential (but often overlooked) gear that protects your RV’s electrical system. Brett shares why low voltage is the silent killer of modern RVs, how surge protection really works, and what makes Hughes’ products stand out—like Bluetooth monitoring, replaceable modules, and their soon-to-launch all-in-one power center.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you really need both a surge protector and a voltage booster, or if you’ve assumed your current gear is “good enough,” this episode will change your thinking—and maybe save you thousands in repairs.

Key Topics Covered:

Brett’s hands-on role and how Hughes Autoformers has grown since 2019

The origin story of the Hughes Autoformer voltage booster

What surge protectors actually do—and don’t do

Why low voltage is more common and more dangerous than most RVers realize

The difference between the Watchdog surge protector and the Autoformer

What the new Watchdog Power Center will combine into one device

How Hughes’ replaceable surge modules save you money over time

Understanding joules, MOVs, and what happens when lightning strikes

How to properly match your surge protector to your RV’s amperage

Real-world examples of RV damage from poor power quality

How the Hughes app helps monitor real-time voltage, frequency, and power draw

Upcoming innovations and how customer feedback drives product design

Listen If:

You’ve ever plugged into a sketchy RV pedestal

You thought your surge protector shuts off power (spoiler: not always)

You’re unsure if you need a voltage booster

You want tech that helps you prevent power damage before it happens

Special Thanks:

Thanks to listener Joshua Sheahan for introducing us to Brett and making this conversation happen!

Have comments? Reach out to us through our Contact Us page.

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We hope you enjoyed this video and wish you safe travels, but before you hit the road could you do us a favor and leave us a review or rating on your favorite podcast platform? These ratings help the show get ranked and makes it easier for new listeners to find us.

Take care all and we will catch you next time.

The post Protect Your RV Like a Pro: Surge Protectors & Voltage Boosters with Hughes Autoformers appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

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