Surge protectors....do I need one?

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by sailtrkr

Definitely Progressive. They stand behind their product 200%

If their unit ever fails and your RV is destroyed because of that they will replace their unit free of charge.

[emm-dee]

It’s easy to install the portable unit inside, out of the weather and out of sight. It doesn’t have to be hooked/unhooked every trip but still easy to remove if necessary.

[satdog01]

Emm-Dee love the install! As far as the EMS, detected a bad phase in COE campground this year, two years ago hooked to a missing ground in AL state park. Park officials were a bit upset that they had an ungrounded pedestal. The money was well spent in this case, had it been raining, I might be looking at the brown side of grass! Only two instances in over 8 years of rving. Worth the time and money for hookup.

[cruisinhwy66]

Call it luck, but we don't use a surge protector. We have owned a 30amp and now have a 50amp system and have spent many nites at a huge verity of RV parks all over the USA and Canada (cheap & expensive), on the highway and off the beaten path for 12 yrs.

If a protector gives you peace and comfort by all means get one, not cheap. Makes me question, if a surge protector is necessary, why are they not included as part of the RV and installed at factory?

cruisin

[Harkerr]

I use a small plug in digital voltmeter. Although not automatic it gives me a continuous display of the line voltage

[SailorSam20500]

I attended a seminar at this year's FR International Rally. Mike Sokol, something of an expert on RV electric issues gave several presentations. At the rally Mike said that at that time, he thought the Surge Guard model was a better EMS unit. He said that PI as the best up until the company was sold about 2 years ago. Since then Southwire (owner of Surge Guard) has continued to do R&D and continues to make improvements to their products. PI on the other hand has significantly reduced their R&D efforts.
As to how many people use EMS units, RVTRAVEL.COM ran a survey about a year ago. The following link has the results and other comments from Mike.
I've been in a number of RV parks where I experienced low voltage (from mom & pop places to higher end KOA's) - enough to potentially damage my AC unit. I currently use a hardwired PI unit. Based on Mikes comments, if I were buying new now, I'd get the Southwire Surge Guard unit.
https://rvelectricity.com/2018/09/24...urvey-results/

[cavie]

If you ever hear your A/C slow down and grown you better run out and by an EMS.

[HangDiver]

While I normally boondock my portable Progressive EMS 30amp cut power to my TT twice last spring due to low voltage in the CG where we were staying.

[nayther]

like many said, "I've been camping for 30+ years and not needed one" But my RV's NEVER had this much electronics, maybe a PCB for the frig and heater but everything else is electro-mechanical, which aren't a sensitive to dirty power. Look at us now, auto levelers, entertainment centers that remain on, slide controllers, etc. most of these systems are constantly hot, always connected to 12v, which is tied to 120 volts.



I have the PD inline 50 amp EMS, much better protection than a surge protector. Why? Best reviews without hard wiring.

[Catalina_Wine_Mixer]

Originally Posted by cavie

If you ever hear your A/C slow down and grown you better run out and by an EMS.

That’s a good tip.

Thanks all!

[Bob2019]

On my 4th RV over 40 years and have never had a problem and felt I needed one.

[Joan]

We had no issues and never had one until 2012. It was recommended to us due to being FT, going to a large variety of parks and the amount of electronics in our unit. We are very thankful we got a portable PI EMS unit as we've had low voltage, reverse wired, and a couple of other situations. We've had to send two units in for replacement. Previously, we would have said, no you don't need one. Now, for us, we NEED one.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Catalina_Wine_Mixer

Hello all,

Lets talk about surge protectors. As a newbie to the TT/RV world I have questions

1. Do I need a surge protector?
2. Do you use one?
3. What do you use/recommend?
4. Why do you recommend that one?

Thanks!

1. If you hook up, YES
2. YES
3. PROGRESSIVE INDUSTRY. The $200 plus one that test the pedistal and will not flow current if things are amiss.
4. When I bought it, at least, it came with lifetime warranty and all reports were that they honor it.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Harkerr

I use a small plug in digital voltmeter. Although not automatic it gives me a continuous display of the line voltage

Mine is analog, but yes. We do that too.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Perseid88

Where does this surge protector go? At the point of connection to shore power? Or inside the RV before or after the converter/inverter? Do some good converters have built in surge protection?

Built ins go on the incoming line, mine plugs in to the post.

[JoePa77]

Do you need one? NO

But I wouldn't go without one. I use mine even when plugged into my 30A service in my own driveway. One can never be too careful. I have the Progressive that voltage, Hz, and amp draw. And you can plug it in first before you ever subject your rig to a bad terminal. This isn't even addressing the surges from storms and other local issues.

But the risk that you want to take is entirely up to you, for the cost and what you can avoid my money is on being protected.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by cavie

If you ever hear your A/C slow down and grown you better run out and by an EMS.

If that’s the case, you get one and it’ll shut you down due to low voltage.

So now you’re without power and air conditioning.

Complain to the CG and they just shrug, “it’s all you big guys using lots of power.”

I ended up *also* buying an AutoFormer to boost voltage.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by ependydad

If that’s the case, you get one and it’ll shut you down due to low voltage.

So now you’re without power and air conditioning.

Complain to the CG and they just shrug, “it’s all you big guys using lots of power.”

I ended up *also* buying an AutoFormer to boost voltage.

Me too!

[DouglasReid]

A Surge Protector is like a spare tires and firearms for personal protection, you dont' Need one until you NEED one very badly! And at that moment, should it ever come Nothing else will suffice.

An EMS provides protection not only from surges (common during lightening where we live) but from under voltage.

I have all three.

[TowPro]

I have never had one. owned our first RV in the 80's.
I did loose an inverter to a "surge" around 2001, that surge was lightning striking the power system in park.


that would have taken out a $300 surge suppressor.
The invertor only cost $100