Surge protectors?

[jackhartjr]

Hi folks, was wondering how many of you folks use the high dollar surge protectors?

[Trucking69x]

Originally Posted by jackhartjr

Hi folks, was wondering how many of you folks use the high dollar surge protectors?

I use one on my 5th wheel. Wiring and components to expensive to replace

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by jackhartjr

Hi folks, was wondering how many of you folks use the high dollar surge protectors?

I used to have a Progressive Industries portable 30 amp management device for my camper but left it hanging on a power pole a couple years ago. I’m sure somebody thought it was their lucky day when they pulled into that site.
To prevent a recurrence, I installed a hard wired unit from Progressive Industries.

[Long Leaf Piners]

Used a 30A one from the beginning years ago. Now a 50 A protects our current fifth. Walking into another camper's big rig with an acrid smell of overheated wires buried in the walls is not to be forgotten. Camping when a new trailer pulled in, plugged in without a protector, and blew our line of campground sites.
I'm reassured when ours runs through its diagnostics and then connects.
I recommend them, imho.

[Mr. Dan]

I don't use a "high dollar surge protector" but I do use a high dollar hard-wired Electrical Management System (EMS) for more protection that a surge protector gives.

[spock123]

My Progressive Industries portable 50amp unit has quit four times. I’m about ready to give up on this unit. I need something better I think

[Paulie1138]

When I got my fifth, i was able to get the dealer to add in the 50 amp hard wired unit as part of the deal. I know it has saved my unit from several problems. I also do a quick check of the pedestal voltage and breakers off when I connect. I pre-test with a volt meter and an “idiot plug” with the 3 lights wired into a 50 amp plug.

[ependydad]

Like others, we use a Progressive Industries EMS. Ours is hard-wired because I didn’t want to forget it and didn’t want an extra thing to hookup.

It’s protected my RV quite a few times.

What Surge Protector is best for my RV? | Learn To RV

[Boomerweps]

I added the install 30 amp PI EMS last fall, about $220. Not cheap, but not high dollar either. Had it find some bad grounds on my garage outlets. During a late season heat wave, it shut down on undervoltage during the day. I went with installed unit after reading of people forgetting theirs and discussing theft of the temporary units. I did not install a bypass so if any error conditions exist like lack of ground, I have no power.

[jackhartjr]

I am very appreciative of the replies!
Looks like im in the market for one!
I've not picked up the camper yet, i will call abiut getting one hard wired in!
Are they on the outside of camper near the electrical hookup, or inside?

[cavie]

Originally Posted by spock123

My Progressive Industries portable 50amp unit has quit four times. I’m about ready to give up on this unit. I need something better I think

What do you mean by Quit! Burned out? Did progressive replace them? Where they sacrificial Surge Protectors or EMS units?

[jk510]

It should be mounted inside the camper, somewhere out of the elements.
I would also recommend that you get the remote monitoring. I did not and regret it whenever there is a problem.

[Boomerweps]

Installed inside near where the power inlet is. There are two types of install EMS. One with a readout on the unit and one with a remote readout. I got the former unit at a great price, the remote version was $50 more and I cheaped out. I could have added a bit more 10awg wire and exposed the unit but for now it's under the one dinette bench on top of the wheel well cover. I have stuff under the bench that gets pulled out right away so it's no big deal checking it during setup.

[Paulie1138]

x2. Remote monitor, and mine is mounted inside by the power distribution panel.

[wrvond]

I also have the remote monitor. It’s easy to glance over and see what the power draw is at any given time. IIRC there is a bypass button on the unit, too.

I also did the install myself. There was a junction box between the umbilical and converter. I simply replaced the junction box with the EMS control box. Took about an hour.

[Dwilcox]

I installed the remote readout style. Mounted EMS behind power distribution panel and the readout in the wet bay. Up high, wont get wet, but I can see it when I kick on the pole breaker. Once it goes thru its self test I throw on the breakers in the rig.

[Tx2Stepn]

I have a 30 amp and a 50 amp EMS Unit. Told my sister to get 1 and she opted out. Blew her converter the next week. She was lucky that all she had to replace was her converter, but she still doesn't have 1.

Haven't forgot 1, but I grab it as 1 unit when I unplug from the Power Pole, separate it and put in the storage unit as I'm putting the plug up.

I do have a question, if you get the installed kind, can you run on a generator?

[Paulie1138]

I have run a genset with mine. It is permanently mounted inside. No issues, unless the genset does something wiggy.

[Tx2Stepn]

Originally Posted by Paulie1138

I have run a genset with mine. It is permanently mounted inside. No issues, unless the genset does something wiggy.

Thanks for the info.