Securing a SurgeGuard

[paule253]

Does anyone know how to safeguard a external Surge Guard Protector from being stolen. I was looking at them in my local RV store and they sell a box that locks it to the electrical pedestal. Does not that strong and appears that the unit can be stolen in a short amount of time.

[RSchleder]

Your correct, I bought the "plastic box" and never used it as it's really a poor design. I used mine for a couple of years and the best thing I came up with was to use some zip ties and electrical tape to at least make it time consuming to undo the unit from the RV electrical cord. Once I had the unit secured to the cord with the zip ties/tape, I left them connected together during storage as well as when in use.
On my current TT I had the unit installed with the readout and it was a definite improvement over the previous "plug in" unit!

[SeaDog]

I have a long shackle lock that just fits over the outlet wire on the surge protector but cannot be pulled over the plug, I run a chain around the pedestal and on to the lock. Cheap and a thief sees it not worth the trouble

[GerryK]

Picture please.

[SeaDog]

I will check tonight and see if I have one if not when I go to the ranch tomorrow I'll take some.

[tuckerdog1]

Similar to SeaDog, but just using small padlocks. This Progressive has a metal collar for attaching a lock to it. The unit I had prior did not have that, but just made a tight loop at the base of the plug ( so the chain could not go over the plug ), and padlocked. Once plugged in, I run the chain through the pull handle on the anaconda ( power cord ), and then around the breaker box post & padlock. Theft proof..no. But a PITA if somebody wants to steal it.

These pics aren't exactly as described above. Currently under my trailer. So instead of the chain wrapping around a power post, it's chained to a section of the power stabilizer.

I may get another padlock & start making a tight loop just below the plug on the anaconda. Wouldn't take much to cut that handle & free it up. They are not cheap to replace either.

Tuckerdog1

[spock123]

I keep a cable lock on mine that stops the PI from walking off but no way to keep a thief from getting it. About the only way you stop a thief is to buy a hardwire unit

[slide5r4fun]

Originally Posted by spock123

I keep a cable lock on mine that stops the PI from walking off but no way to keep a thief from getting it. About the only way you stop a thief is to buy a hardwire unit

X2

[Islander]

This was always a concern of mine as well.

What I have done is with a short length of heavy link chain I pad lock it to the surge cable then padlock the other end of the chain to the main cable running to the 5th wheel.
It takes 2 keyed alike pad locks and about 12" of chain.
I wrap the extra length of power cable around the rear bumper and if I am going away for a day or two I may lock it in the same manner to my bumper. That way they can't take the whole sha-bang.

Islander

[spock123]

The only way to stop a thief is have good insurance, good bolt cutters will cut through anything. A thief can steal anything, I just try to keep my stuff from walking off.

[tuckerdog1]

Originally Posted by spock123

The only way to stop a thief is have good insurance, good bolt cutters will cut through anything. A thief can steal anything, I just try to keep my stuff from walking off.

If someone is determined to steal something, they're gonna figure out how to steal it. We can't make it impossible, but maybe can make it 'not worth the trouble'

Tuckerdog1

[Terier]

Originally Posted by tuckerdog1

If someone is determined to steal something, they're gonna figure out how to steal it. We can't make it impossible, but maybe can make it 'not worth the trouble'

Tuckerdog1

x2

[Wandering]

I got a MasterLock cable lock. Pretty easy to use. Won't stop a determined thief but helps.

[Retired JSO]

I haven't ever locked mine up. Progressive portable management system still here after 5 years and over 20,000 miles. Actually, I have never had anything stolen while in a campground.

[gectisme]

Originally Posted by Retired JSO

I haven't ever locked mine up. Progressive portable management system still here after 5 years and over 20,000 miles. Actually, I have never had anything stolen while in a campground.

X2, have not locked it. In the past 11 months, over 50 different campgrounds, nothing ever stolen. Well actually the DW had a $2 nylon laundry bag go missing from one campground laundry area but figure someone had the same one and took it by mistake. [emoji2]

[Retired JSO]

Originally Posted by gectisme

X2, have not locked it. In the past 11 months, over 50 different campgrounds, nothing ever stolen. Well actually the DW had a $2 nylon laundry bag go missing from one campground laundry area but figure someone had the same one and took it by mistake. [emoji2]

[emoji1303] we used to lock all the basement storage areas and camper doors at home until they broke in causing $1,500 damage to the door and $750 to both basement doors. There is nothing in there worth the damage.

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by GerryK

Picture please.

I took these this morning at the ranch it not around a pedestal but you should get the Idea. When plugged in a a campground the chain goes thru the handle on my power cord. You can see in the last pic the shackle is long enough and narrow enough so it won't come off the surge guard.

[SeaDog]

the setup I have is not to stop a thief but to keep honest people honest.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

the setup I have is not to stop a thief but to keep honest people honest.

X2