Surge Protectors - which one?

[sparky60]

Hello all,

We're new to RV'ing and I've read about the necessity of having a Surge Protector on the incoming power. There are so many to choose from, and I'm not quite understanding the differences between them all. Would appreciate anything you could pass along to help me make a smart decision. Sure don't want our new Motorhome getting fried!

Thanks!!!

[SkipnTerri]

We bought ours through Camping World and had them install it.

30A Hardwire Surge Guard - TRC 34520-002 - Surge Protectors - Camping World

It has saved us more than once!

[fonzie]

most popular is Progressive Industries...

Lots to read on:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=progr...F4SfyQTlwoGYCw

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by fonzie

most popular is Progressive Industries...

Lots to read on:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=progr...F4SfyQTlwoGYCw

I'm in Fonzie corner here. I 'm so glad I got the new system is just amazing. I kept the old old WFCO, and so happens a member needed one I sent it to him 3mos ago and never heard back from him, if he got it or if it worked or nothing.

[bluewoo]

Progressive Industries

[Blackhat6mike]

My Progressive has a lifetime warranty. Not sure about other brands. We use the "pigtail" unit as I plan to take it with me if I change TTs. Also, if it "fries", I just send it back to progressive for another unit. I'm fresh out of room to mount it inside due to an automatic transfer switch I installed with my inverter. No more room!!

[rattleNsmoke]

Do a search then decide.

[rana]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

I'm in Fonzie corner here.

Me three. Stellar track record.

[westom]

Originally Posted by sparky60

There are so many to choose from, and I'm not quite understanding the differences between them all.

Most will only say what they were told to believe. Or what they use as if that proves it is good. First learn what a surge is.

The word surge is subjective. So a surge can be a low current, a high voltage. a high current, a sudden power off, or a low voltage - to name a few conditions.

For homes, a most common and destructive surge is lightning. That means a current is inside hunting for earth destructively via appliances. That protection means a device must connect all wires low impedance (ie 'less than 10 feet') to earth. So that a lightning current finds earth BEFORE entering the building.

For campers, a most common and destructive surge can be low voltages or slightly high voltages. One type of protector cuts off AC power is voltage drops too low or rises too high (ie only above 130 volts). These voltage variations are mostly harmful to motorized appliances; not to electronics.

Other campsite anomalies may be reversed polarity, excessive current, or floating safety ground. Some protectors will also detect and cut off power during these anomalies. Those protectors are often mounted inside the camper.

A protector to also protect from surges such as lightning must be connected farther from electronics and close to the pole's earth ground. These types are rain proof and need a safety chain so that sticky fingers do not walk off with the protector.

Anyone who recommends a protector must first define which anomalies are a concern and which anomalies are averted by that protector. That also means numbers; not subjective claims.

[conceptumator]

I went Progressive Industries. Lifetime warranty plus their EMS takes care of much more than just surge. Saved my tail by not energizing on a 30A campground service with reversed polarity. I used the pigtail 30A version on our last RV and have the 50A hard wired version on the new one. Great product! Check Amazon for best prices.

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by fonzie

most popular is Progressive Industries...

Lots to read on:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=progr...F4SfyQTlwoGYCw

DITTO
easy to install and works flawlessly, lifetime warranty.
piece of mind!

[mlarryeliz]

+1 for the Progressive Industries EMS-PT30C. Since getting ours I have heard of many campground power issues. We are glad we have this protection.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by westom

Most will only say what they were told to believe. Or what they use as if that proves it is good. First learn what a surge is.

The word surge is subjective. So a surge can be a low current, a high voltage. a high current, a sudden power off, or a low voltage - to name a few conditions.

For homes, a most common and destructive surge is lightning. That means a current is inside hunting for earth destructively via appliances. That protection means a device must connect all wires low impedance (ie 'less than 10 feet') to earth. So that a lightning current finds earth BEFORE entering the building.

For campers, a most common and destructive surge can be low voltages or slightly high voltages. One type of protector cuts off AC power is voltage drops too low or rises too high (ie only above 130 volts). These voltage variations are mostly harmful to motorized appliances; not to electronics.

Other campsite anomalies may be reversed polarity, excessive current, or floating safety ground. Some protectors will also detect and cut off power during these anomalies. Those protectors are often mounted inside the camper.

A protector to also protect from surges such as lightning must be connected farther from electronics and close to the pole's earth ground. These types are rain proof and need a safety chain so that sticky fingers do not walk off with the protector.

Anyone who recommends a protector must first define which anomalies are a concern and which anomalies are averted by that protector. That also means numbers; not subjective claims.

per your questions Prossive is the best out their currently.will it do what you ask yes:

For campers, a most common and destructive surge can be low voltages or slightly high voltages. One type of protector cuts off AC power is voltage drops too low or rises too high (ie only above 130 volts). These voltage variations are mostly harmful to motorized appliances; not to electronics.

I disagree with that statement being electronics are more sensitive. The two most used are either TRC or Progressive. Both are great and either can be purchased for hard or portable. It also will shut down on low voltage. Most if not all equipment have a plus 10 or minus 10 voltage which is still safe to operate. Your second statement:


Both will do the same:
Other campsite anomalies may be reversed polarity, excessive current, or floating safety ground. Some protectors will also detect and cut off power during these anomalies. Those protectors are often mounted inside the camper.

.
[/COLOR]As stated you can get either in hardwired or portable it will do the same. You do need something and the market controls that. Both units do that. Your most safe options are one or the other. The big difference to me is the warranty (life time or 2 years). I hope that helps you a little. Good Luck and stay SAFE...

[Stormrider151]

Progressive Industries. I got mine a couple of weeks ago and have been using on the house 30 AMP. It just sits there and does it's job. Great device.

[mikejm]

My furnace just stopped working. Breaker & fuse all good. Any ideas on solution?
Thanks,
Mikejm

[MilCop4523]

i listened to 10 trailers in one well known park in NB CAnada fry without surge protection in 2011. our trailer was one of them with 2 weeks of ownership.
when the owners dug up the lot the next morning (knowing exactly where the problem was) they found an alunimum ground cable that was attached to the copper cables white chaulked and not connected. i took several images and everyone's identification for legal purposes which pi$$ed off the campground owners until they threatened to contact the police. at that time i hauled out my badge and cridentials and said "we're already here, what can i help you with?"

$700 dollars later we were installing the progressive industries unit hardwired. its saved us from low and high voltage changes, and a multitude of other sins in parks.

[dustman_stx]

Another satisfied Progressive Industries customer. I've always used the hardwire versions, either the EMS-HW30C or EMS-HW50C. I think they have a basic surge protector that is much cheaper, but you want the ones that monitor and protect from high voltage, low voltage, open ground, reverse polarity, 240V, etc. Open ground and 240V instead of 120V seem to be the 2 most common problems. In the ~4 years I've been using them I found 1 reverse polarity situation and 1 open ground- both of them potential fire and electrocution hazards.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by mikejm

My furnace just stopped working. Breaker & fuse all good. Any ideas on solution?
Thanks,
Mikejm

Need a little more info, such as what kind, electric or gas, has it ever worked what kinda of stat? How do you have it set, what brand. Hope we can help, some smart people on here and been through about everything possible....

[vibe]

Originally Posted by conceptumator

I went Progressive Industries. Lifetime warranty plus their EMS takes care of much more than just surge. Saved my tail by not energizing on a 30A campground service with reversed polarity. I used the pigtail 30A version on our last RV and have the 50A hard wired version on the new one. Great product! Check Amazon for best prices.

Can anyone tell me what it means to have reverse polarity. Doesn't electric have alternating current. I hooked up and my surge protector showed reverse polarity but I didn't have a problem. So can you explain what reverse polarity is?

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by vibe

Can anyone tell me what it means to have reverse polarity. Doesn't electric have alternating current. I hooked up and my surge protector showed reverse polarity but I didn't have a problem. So can you explain what reverse polarity is?

Read this.....

The shocking truth about campground electricity