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Old 06-19-2018, 10:44 AM   #1
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Do i really need a 50 amp surge/ems system?

We recently bought a new Arctic Wolf 265dbh8 and it has a 50 amp cord coming out of it. However, per the Forrest River literature, it sounds as though the only reason they put a 50 amp cord on was in case you decided to add a second A/C unit.

So with that said, do i really need a 50 amp surge/ems system if i don't have or intend in the near future to get a second a/c unit?

I've never used a surge/ems system on any camper in my lifetime, but seems like it could be a wise investment.
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Old 06-19-2018, 10:49 AM   #2
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I have a 50 amp unit and often camp in a spot with only 30 amp service. In 10 plus years of camping I have never used a surge protector. If you have a 50 amp camper and downgrade to 30 amp you will rarely have issues. The only time I have had problems was when the air was on and I was making breakfast with coffee pot and griddle on and wife did her hair.
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Old 06-19-2018, 10:54 AM   #3
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Yes, even though you don't have the 2nd A/C I would still get a 50A EMS. The reason being that a 30A RV has one 110v 30A leg and a 50A RV has 2x 110v 50A legs. As such, it's not actually just a 20A difference, it's a 70A difference with the legs combined. The second A/C would likely use the second 50A leg and the rest of the RV uses the first 50A leg so you could still potentially pull 50A off the first leg, but if you have a 30A EMS then it would be overloaded and shutdown.

Always make sure the electrical system is properly matched and that you are never stepping down your supply, only step up. Some folks use a 50A -> 30A adapter in a pinch but they have to be careful so that they don't keep tripping the 30A breaker.
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Old 06-19-2018, 11:05 AM   #4
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It is a wise investment to have the EMS and I would go with the 50amp yes it will cost more but then maybe you might just decide to add the 2nd air especially if you head south or west during summer months. It also depends wheather you have a 15000 btu ac or did it come with ma 13500 btu ac. Later RJD
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Old 06-19-2018, 11:10 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willie1280 View Post
We recently bought a new Arctic Wolf 265dbh8 and it has a 50 amp cord coming out of it. However, per the Forrest River literature, it sounds as though the only reason they put a 50 amp cord on was in case you decided to add a second A/C unit.

So with that said, do i really need a 50 amp surge/ems system if i don't have or intend in the near future to get a second a/c unit?

I've never used a surge/ems system on any camper in my lifetime, but seems like it could be a wise investment.
Yes you do need the 50 amp EMS, since as you stated the RV is already wired for 50 amps which will have TWO incoming hot legs, each capable of 50 amps. In comparison, a 30 amp system only has ONE incoming hot leg capable of 30 amps.

Your 50 amp RV will have a split circuit breaker panel, with some stuff wired to L1 (one leg) and other stuff wired to L2 (the other leg). It won't just be the air-conditioners. See this example pic below for L1 on the left hand side of the main, and L2 on the right hand side of the main.

You have to have an EMS that protects both legs (L1 and L2)






This link will help explain the differences between a 120 volt 30 amp system, and the 120/240 volt split phase 50 amp system.

https://www.rvtechmag.com/electrical/chapter3.php
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Old 06-19-2018, 11:22 AM   #6
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I edited my above post with more info and pics. You can look at your distribution panel in your RV to see how they have things wired to both sides (L1 and L2).... thus the need for a 50 amp EMS to properly protect/manage both sides/legs/lines.
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Old 06-19-2018, 11:33 AM   #7
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yes, while the nomenclature of the RV Industry is '50amp RV service', it is really 100 amps....

don't just look at your new coach as only an additional 20amps..... it's 70amps more! and
that let's you do a LOT more, ALL at the same time, than traditional 30amp service.
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Old 06-19-2018, 01:00 PM   #8
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"50 AMP" RV service, being actually a 240 volt service, can suffer from excessive voltage on one leg due to an "Open Neutral Fault". This cannot happen on a standard 30 AMP RV service, which is only 120 volts. For this reason, an EMS is a reasonable idea for 50 amp hookups. INFO HERE:

Open Neutral
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Old 06-19-2018, 01:11 PM   #9
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Ditto....YES you need one.
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Old 06-19-2018, 01:22 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluepill View Post
"50 AMP" RV service, being actually a 240 volt service, can suffer from excessive voltage on one leg due to an "Open Neutral Fault". This cannot happen on a standard 30 AMP RV service, which is only 120 volts. For this reason, an EMS is a reasonable idea for 50 amp hookups. INFO HERE:

Open Neutral
I will second this and say an EMS is much more important with 50 amp service than with 30 amp service. Unless you always plan on defeating the 50 amp capability by using a 30 amp dogbone.

Anyway, with 50 amp service you have 240 volts going into your RV even though all circuits are just 120 volts. So thru faulting wiring at the CG it is possible for your 120 volt circuits to see 240 volts accidentally. I know of other Rvers that have fried their microwave, converter and TV at a minimum due to this overvoltage. Also A/C if it is running. Even if you use a voltmeter to verify correct wiring prior to hooking up, a fault can happen at any time and you are the looser. Cost of repairs will exceed the cost of a good 50 amp surge/EMS system.
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Old 06-19-2018, 01:24 PM   #11
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NO

You do not need a 50 surge protector. You can pay to have all electrical and electronic system in your RV replaced.
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Old 06-19-2018, 01:29 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by laurencestarr View Post
You do not need a 50 surge protector. You can pay to have all electrical and electronic system in your RV replaced.


Are you being sarcastic? Or do you really think it would be cheaper and better to redo the wiring? [emoji23][emoji848]
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Old 06-19-2018, 01:36 PM   #13
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A Surge Suppressor/EMS is a wise investment. Depending on which unit you purchase it will protect your unit and it's systems ways other than just a surge. If the campground you are at has the voltage drop, a good SS/EMS will disconnect the power to prevent damage to sensitive electronics, appliances and A/C units. They will also check the condition and wiring of the power/pedestal and prevent a mis-wired or problem pedestal from doing damage or putting you in danger of, for example, a hot skin condition.

50 amp is what you need. I purchased a Progressive Industries 50 AMP hardwired unit. The cost was less than 50% of what it would cost for me to replace one damaged A/C unit. Voltage drop in campgrounds here in Florida during the summer can be a common condition when the parks are full and everyone is blasting the A/C.
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Old 06-19-2018, 01:48 PM   #14
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I join the majority and say YES. It is like having an insurance policy. Good luck!
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Old 06-19-2018, 02:03 PM   #15
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Mine caught an open ground last week..I changed camp grounds.
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Old 06-19-2018, 02:14 PM   #16
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Just out of curiosity...

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Mine caught an open ground last week..I changed camp grounds.
Just out of curiosity, did you tell management at the first campground about their problem before you left?

Larry
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Old 06-19-2018, 02:23 PM   #17
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Yes you need an 50 Amp EMS and I would strongly suggest that you get the Hard Wired version. It will protect you should your power cord short out or loose connection on the Neutral. I have a Portable EMS but it didn't help when my power cord lost its neutral . It cost me over $1000 to replace everything that burned up plus the fact if I hadn't been there when it happened it would have burned my rig down with my dog inside.
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Old 06-19-2018, 02:24 PM   #18
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Do I need?

It’s a question you can only answer for yourself Grasshopper... what are your economics and risk factor?

50 amp won’t hurt the resale value either. Everyone’s going 50 amp...!
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Old 06-19-2018, 02:33 PM   #19
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Do you 'Need' it? No, technically you don't. If it was necessary to the running of your RV it would come standard from the factory, like your convertor or your propane regulator.

However, is it recommended to have one? YES! As has been stated many different ways in this thread, it's an affordable insurance policy. And, just like your car insurance, life insurance or health insurance, it's something you really hope you never actually 'need' but are dang sure thankful you have in case you do end up using it.

I had a Portable one with my TT, and I've got a hardwired one I bought for my Fiver, that's just waiting to be installed as soon as I get the fiver back from it's post-shakedown warranty work.
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Old 06-19-2018, 02:42 PM   #20
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Do i really need a 50 amp surge/ems system?

“Need”, no but.....

Last season I plugged in the power strip we use outside for ice maker etc.. When I plugged it in the coach immediately lost power. Checked our progressive industries ems and code showed open ground. Problem was the power strip I was using and with a metal case on that was glad I had the ems to show the problem.

So it not only protects from issues at the pole but items going bad on the coach side as well.

Personally I will never be without one.
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