Any advantage to inexpensive surge suppressors?

[kamu]

I was wondering, I see some inexpensive single outlet surge suppressors (@$6ea). I am mostly concerned with protecting:
1) Fridge board
2) Heater board
3) TV
4) Hot water tank board (if there is one , not sure)
Would it make any sense to just buy 4 of these and put them where these items plug in their 110 outlets? Or, do I need to be protecting a lot more that I'm not aware of? Just a thought. Maybe it's just wiser to buy a $75 30 amp surge supressor....Comments

[Kaadk]

Everything hard wired won't be protected with individual socket surge protectors. You'll be risking your converter and air conditioner at least. And the horror stories on here all seem to have an issue with the converter when there's a surge.

When you're looking at whole RV protection, there's choices in if you want basic protection or real protection. I had asked a similar question a month or two ago in this thread http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ion-56948.html.

[PhoneDude 8289]

We insure our homes, cars and the RV. Good power protection is cheap insurance for anything thats plugged into or operated on electricity in your RV. The cost of replacing boards, appliances, converters or anything else plugged in is far more than the cost of good power protection not to mention the inconvenience.

[iceblaze580]

I would get one of the whole house surge guards

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by iceblaze580

I would get one of the whole house surge guards

Are you talking about the one that goes in the power panel?
You would need an empty breaker slot for that.

This one is wired between the incoming power socket and the power distribution center. Eaton Complete Home Surge Protection-CHSPT2MICRO at The Home Depot

It will do nothing to prevent damage to your expensive electronics in the event of incorrect power, high power, or low power.

The only true sense of security comes from a false sense of security.
However, you might be unpleasantly surprised one day.

[iceblaze580]

One like the progressive industries either the portable or hard wired energy management system

[dustman_stx]

Also keep in mind that a surge protector is just what it claims- a SURGE protector. You have no protection from open neutral, low voltage, etc. like you do with one of the Electrical Management Systems like the ones from Progressive Industries. My last camper I had an EMS-HW30C installed and used the camper for 2.5 years with no issues. Sold the camper but removed it- new owner had an open neutral power pedestal first time out that fried his converter. New converter was more than the EMS would have cost.

[kamu]

Point well taken folks, appreciate the feedback. I needed some advice on this. Looks like I'll try to find where my cable comes in and hardwire.

[Herk7769]

While you are looking at some of the awesome Progressive units, take a moment to look at the advantages of one that also includes an auto-transformer used to correct low voltage to normal.

I have had very good luck with the Franks Autotransformer with integrated power conditioning and surge suppression. http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ers-26202.html

I mounted mine "semi-permanently" in an empty spot near where the cord comes in. It is easily removed when (if) needed.

The red light shows the unit boosting and the incoming (low) voltage - amperage is on the right and the outgoing voltage is one the left in the photo.