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Old 05-19-2018, 07:58 PM   #1
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30 amp surge protector recommendations

I am interested in getting a surge protector. My camper is 30 amp. I also use a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter when there is only 50 amp power supply available.

What type/ brand surge protector is recommended and can also be used with the 50/30 amp adapter when it is in use?
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Old 05-19-2018, 08:11 PM   #2
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Progressive industries EMS. Had a 30 amp one then traded another member here for his 50 and my 30 when we upgraded to a larger 5er.
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Old 05-19-2018, 08:36 PM   #3
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Surge protector and EMS surge protector are two different things. A surge protector is just that. It stops hight voltage spikes. Ems protect from improper wiring and Hight and low voltage.
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Old 05-19-2018, 08:39 PM   #4
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Yep but my EMS does both things.. not just a surge can damage things,low voltage can be just as bad or a bad wiring job.
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Old 05-19-2018, 08:50 PM   #5
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Yep but my EMS does both things.. not just a surge can damage things,low voltage can be just as bad or a bad wiring job.
x2

Our portable Progressive EMS has detected open ground, reverse polarity and on several occasions shut down the power temporarily when low voltage was detected.

Still we used a surge protector that detects reverse polarity and open ground for our trailer.
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Old 05-19-2018, 09:07 PM   #6
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Buy the PI 50 amp EMS. You can convert it down to 30 and use it. Then if you upgrade later you don't need to buy a second one. Adapters are $15 and all you would be out if you never needed 50A.
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Old 05-19-2018, 10:14 PM   #7
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Buy the PI 50 amp EMS. You can convert it down to 30 and use it. Then if you upgrade later you don't need to buy a second one. Adapters are $15 and all you would be out if you never needed 50A.


Is this what you are referring to?
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Old 05-19-2018, 11:08 PM   #8
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I probably need the 30 amp ems in case I only have a 30 amp receptacle available.
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Old 05-20-2018, 08:22 AM   #9
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You match the EMS to what your rig is wired for. You CAN use adapters, just like your power cord.

Info and links here:
What Surge Protector is best for my RV? | Learn To RV
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Old 05-20-2018, 12:46 PM   #10
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I just bought this one

Progressive Industries 313.1168 SSP30X Smart Surge Protector - 120V/30A

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015G2YYN0/

Progressive makes a sound unit with a good price... added a short length of chain and a long shackle padlock to lock it to any pedestal
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Old 05-20-2018, 01:22 PM   #11
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Progressive customer service/warranty is excellent. I have a portable 30amp unit that was going on 2.5-3 years old that failed on a recent trip. I went online to Progressive's webpage and filled out their form that asked for purchase receipt and picture of the unit. They wrote back saying the problem is not "field serviceable" but they were mailing out a new one at no charge. I'm now waiting for it to arrive. I've heard other people say the same thing. Be sure to hang on to the receipt.
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Old 05-20-2018, 01:44 PM   #12
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Buy the PI 50 amp EMS. You can convert it down to 30 and use it. Then if you upgrade later you don't need to buy a second one. Adapters are $15 and all you would be out if you never needed 50A.
The 50 AMP must be the "Hardwire Model" this model can be Jumper wired for 30 AMP use,then when you Need/Upgrade to a 50 Amp use just remove the jumper,No Need to buy a 30 AMP EMS! PI will tell you where to put the Jumper Wire! You can NOT take the Portable units apart for the jumper! Youroo!!
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Old 05-20-2018, 02:01 PM   #13
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Thanks for all the replies. I’m looking at getting this model.
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Old 05-20-2018, 02:05 PM   #14
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I’ve been using a Surge Guard 34830 (30 AMP) with circuit checking and shutdown timer. Had it for three seasons and haven’t had a problem yet. Protects for surges and if the power drops, waits 128 seconds while it rechecks the circuit before opening itself back up once the power comes back on..

Got a new rig with 50 AMP service, liked the Surge Guard well enough, bought the same unit except the 50 AMP version...
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Old 05-20-2018, 02:42 PM   #15
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Thanks for all the replies. I’m looking at getting this model.
Attachment 172620
I also order the SSP-30XL because it is UL Certified. The SSP-30X model is NOT UL Certified.

Amazon: Progressive Industries SSP-30XL

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Progressive Industries, Inc. | Rv Surge Protection
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Old 05-20-2018, 02:47 PM   #16
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I am interested in getting a surge protector. My camper is 30 amp. I also use a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter when there is only 50 amp power supply available.

What type/ brand surge protector is recommended and can also be used with the 50/30 amp adapter when it is in use?
Because we have computers, we chose to go the Hughes Autoformers RV2130-SP Voltage Booster (with Surge Protection)

https://www.amazon.com/Hughes-Autofo...oltage+booster

We did this for two reasons:
1. the 'Buck and Boost' features, where if the voltage is low, (which is extremity bad for all digital equipment, especially computers), It raises the voltage and if the voltage is too high it reduces the voltage.
2. It also protects against 'spikes'.
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Old 05-20-2018, 05:06 PM   #17
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emeth that is a very interesting recommendation. The downside is that type of unit uses amperage to bolster voltage. With a 30amp camper, you don’t have an abundance of amperage to give up. In the case of the OP, a brand name PMS with surge protection would be a better choice IMO. Then if digital equipment is a concern he can always add on a UPS such as an APC AV unit. Then he would get clean, pure sine wave, power whether he is plugged in or not. Just food for thought.
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Old 05-20-2018, 06:17 PM   #18
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emeth that is a very interesting recommendation. The downside is that type of unit uses amperage to bolster voltage. With a 30 amp camper, you don’t have an abundance of amperage to give up. In the case of the OP, a brand name PMS with surge protection would be a better choice IMO. Then if digital equipment is a concern he can always add on a UPS such as an APC AV unit. Then he would get clean, pure sine wave, power whether he is plugged in or not. Just food for thought.
Whatever the amperage requirement might be I haven't noticed any down-side, actually I have been able to plug in more appliances than before, (to a small extent at least).

It would take a more expensive pure sign wave line conditioning UPS, (almost twice as expensive), and you still may not have the actual necessary protection from low voltage, (rolling brown outs),

After being around the computer business for 50 years, I have seen the damage low voltage dips, (short brown outs), can do.

I think I will stick with the Autoformer.
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Old 05-20-2018, 08:27 PM   #19
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Just don't leave it at the pedestal when you leave the campground...you can probably figure why I say that. We were lucky we called the campground that afternoon when we got to the next campground and the went to look . it was still where we left it. They mailed it to us. That was a fortunate learning experience.
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Old 05-20-2018, 09:09 PM   #20
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Just don't leave it at the pedestal when you leave the campground...you can probably figure why I say that. We were lucky we called the campground that afternoon when we got to the next campground and the went to look . it was still where we left it. They mailed it to us. That was a fortunate learning experience.
I certainly agree, that is why I cut a new port hole in the compartment where the power enters, installed a waterproof plate and cover and placed the Autoformer inside the compartment.
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