Camco 50 Amp RV Power Defender Review

Whenever you’re purchasing a pricey electronic, you want to protect it. You probably didn’t realize it at the time of purchase, but your RV is one of the most expensive electronic devices you’ll ever own. 

Whether you’re plugging in at home or a campground, you’ll want to protect your RV, and one of the best ways to do that is with a surge protector. While you’re searching for the perfect one, we wanted to give an overview of the Camco Power Defender 50 amp. Let’s check it out!

About the Camco Power Defender 50 Amp

The Camco Power Defender 50 amp connects to your campsite’s power pedestal or shore power source. First off, a series of LEDs will indicate the power connection’s health. Then, it will protect your RV from reverse polarity, open neutral, and other wiring issues. If the Power Defender detects any of these faults, it will not let power transfer to your RV.

The Power Defender will not only protect you from faults but also from power surges, which can ruin sensitive electronic components in your RV before you know it. Plus, it protects from drops in voltage, which can be equally damaging to the electronic components in your RV.

Camco’s Power Defender 50 amp works silently in the background while you’re enjoying your adventures. The weather-resistant construction means no stress when the weather doesn’t cooperate. The RVing community respects the Camco name since the company makes a wide range of quality camping accessories.

Why an RV Surge Protector Is a Necessity

You want to keep your RV and the expensive electronics inside it safe, and an RV surge protector is a good solution. Without an RV surge protector monitoring the electrical current, you could unknowingly connect your RV to a potentially dangerous power connection. A surge protector is one of the “must-have accessories” we think every RVer should own.

One power surge or drop in voltage can quickly do thousands of dollars in damage to your RV’s electronics. Replacing refrigerators, air conditioners, and TVs are likely not the emergency upgrades you want to make, and the Camco’s 50 amp Power Defender will prevent that.

Features We Like About the Camco Power Defender 50amp

The protection that the Power Defender provides is reason enough to love this item, but that’s not all there is to love. Let’s look at a few key features we love about this unit.

Auto Connect and Disconnect Feature

One of our favorite features is how it will auto-connect and disconnect from the power source when needed. Changes in voltage occur when you least expect them, but the Power Defender continuously monitors the electricity feeding into your RV.

Not only does the Power Defender disconnect when the voltages become unsafe, but it will also reconnect when conditions return to a safe normal. When safe electrical conditions return, the Power Defender will resume sending power to your RV and its electronics. 

LEDs Advise About Various Potential Power Issues

We love that LEDs alert you to your electrical connection’s health with the Camco Power Defender. You won’t have to consult the manual with each use to recognize a safe power signal. The LED signals are clear and concise. 

Weather-Resistant Construction

It’s no secret that water and electricity don’t go hand in hand. You won’t have to worry about protecting your Power Defender surge protector as the construction is weather resistant. It will continue to monitor and keep your RV safe, despite less than favorable weather conditions. 

If you choose this model, you must install it in the upright position, so it will resist even the toughest weather conditions.

Cons of the Power Defender

While there’s plenty to love about the Power Defender, there’s a couple of things working against it. Let’s look at some areas the company could improve.

Not Fully Weatherproof

While being water-resistant is great, the Power Defender isn’t weatherproof. The Power Defender requires mounting in the upright position, and not every power pedestal allows that. Some power pedestals are lower to the ground, which means if it rains, your Power Defender will suffer damage in the resulting puddles. Weather conditions are never predictable, so a fully weatherproof model would give greater peace of mind.

Power Up Wait Time after Plugging In

This unit takes a long time to boot up after plugging in. Some users initially thought their Power Defender was faulty because the process took so long. However, when given an exceptionally long time to cycle through, it boots up and works like normal.

Some suggest plugging it in immediately when arriving at the campsite so it can cycle while you unhitch and set up camp. But we don’t like this. What happens if you’re unhitched and setting up when the Power Defender alerts you the power source is unsafe? You’d have to re-pack, hitch up, and possibly move to a campsite with a safer power source.

Alternatives to Camco Power Defender 50 Amp

If you want a few more options to consider before making your purchase, we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at a couple more excellent alternatives!

Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X

Progressive Industries makes the EMS-PT50X, which monitors and protects your RV from surges and voltage drops as well. This all-in-one surge protector checks the power quality and will shut off should unhealthy power conditions arise. It has weather-resistant construction and a locking bracket to keep it safe, not to mention the lifetime warranty. If you want a high-quality surge protector, the EMS-PT50X is an excellent option!

Power Watchdog 50 Amp

The Power Watchdog 50 amp surge protector includes a 90-second power delay that protects your RV’s air conditioning from potential damages. It won’t have you waiting for test results, as it can test a connection in only four seconds. Plus, if you want to monitor your power connection from the palm of your hand, the Power Watchdog will text you alerts should conditions become unfavorable. It’s easy to see why the Power Watchdog is a tremendously popular option among RVers.

Conclusion

Having a surge protector on your RV is like insurance because quality protection often comes with a hefty price tag. But you’ll be glad you have it should an event arise. We think every RVer should invest in a quality surge protector to keep their RV and electronics safe. 

What’s your favorite RV surge protector to use?

Last update on 2024-10-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API