Surge protector need???

[Kaboingy]

I was unaware of the need for a surge protector until today. We are brand new to owning a trailer and we are going camping tomorrow for three days. I can't get a surge protector today and need to order online. Would you risk it and still go camping and just hope everything is OK or would you cancel your long awaited camping trip with the kids? Any temporary ways to fix this til we get our surge protector?

[Kevin & Judy]

Camped for over 40 years and never had a surge protector, Never had any problems
with out one, I bought a New class C and it had one installed, If it did not i would still be hooking up without one.
Have a great trip.

[BamaBob]

Kevin has famous last words Kaboingy.


It depends. WHERE are you going camping? If it is a "Spring Break Resort" you are likely to be OK (more so than a rustic campground with questionable power.)


By chance are you a Amazon Prime member? If not you CAN get a temporary membership and cancel later if you wish. You can order a EMS today and it should be waiting for you at the Campground when you arrive tomorrow.


Not knowing what sort of camper you have, here is a link to the progressive EMS page on Amazon:


Robot Check


FWIW, we have camped for 25+ years and now that I know what I know, I would never hook up my expensive RV without a EMS -- just too many high strung electronics on modern RVs (versus what they were like even 10 years ago)

[TURBS]

Only takes one hit to take out $4000.00 worth of electronics.

Progressive industries hardwired is the only one I'd recommend .


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Kaboingy

I was unaware of the need for a surge protector until today. We are brand new to owning a trailer and we are going camping tomorrow for three days. I can't get a surge protector today and need to order online. Would you risk it and still go camping and just hope everything is OK or would you cancel your long awaited camping trip with the kids? Any temporary ways to fix this til we get our surge protector?

If the weather is good just go for it until you can figure out what you need. You can go to ACE and by a cheap plug in meter that will tell you if your pedestal is wired correctly. Don't let it stop you.....

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Only takes one hit to take out $4000.00 worth of electronics.

Progressive industries hardwired is the only one I'd recommend .


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

X2. Cheap insurance. Just a circuit board for the fridge, ac unit, or even a tv set runs twice what a PI hardwired EMS runs. One bad surge without one will cost you big bucks.
Grumpy

[dragon-roo]

In my opinion, the more important protection is from improperly wired outlets and low/high voltage conditions. A simple tester from the hardware store and a pocket DVOM can tell you when you hook up if things are ok, at least at that point in time. As far as I have heard, the greatest cause of the voltage fluctuations in the campgrounds are when everyone is using their A/C units and they are all cycled on almost constantly. That is not so likely this time of year.

I have the same mindset as TURBS... My wife was not interested in learing what to check before plugging in and didn't want the hassle if she went somewhere on her own, so a Progressive Industries hardwired unit was worth every penny to me. The popup only had a control board on the furnace so there wasn't much to fry in it so I never bothered.

I would not cancel your trip. Just do like I used to with the popup. Pick up a circuit tester like one of these...


http://www.menards.com/main/electric...00782625430300

And you should have a cheap DVOM to keep in the camper anyway. You can get both for less than $20.

1. Plug circuit tester into outlet using a 30A adapter (i.e. test the 30A outlet not the 15A as I have seen one wired correct and the other backwards)
2. Read the lights and if it indicates good, test the voltage...
3. Put the DVOM on AC volts and you should have 105-128 volts.

I personally don't like to see as low as 105 but if you aren't running the A/C it would be fine. This is what I did for our first couple of trips before I could get our EMS installed.

[dragon-roo]

P.S. Like one of the others said... think of an EMS unit as an insurance policy that you pay for once and get to have it for the life of the trailer and can even take it to the next. If you think about how many days you will enjoy your camper over the next 10 years. The cost per day is tiny.

Even with the EMS I still use the circuit tester everytime before I plug in... I know the wife won't though.

The bank owns a good portion of our Roo at this point so I feel it is my responsibility to protect it for them (and maybe improve it a bit too)

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Kevin & Judy

Camped for over 40 years and never had a surge protector, Never had any problems
with out one, I bought a New class C and it had one installed, If it did not i would still be hooking up without one.
Have a great trip.

I've lived for 20 years before I met the president of the United States to.[emoji631]
You only get one chance!✌️


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

[Kevin & Judy]

Just saying !!!!
And yes we do check the plugs at the campground.
Nuff said .

[fonzie]

There might be a retailer on your way to your campground....

Progressive Industries RV Surge and Electrical Protection industry lea

http://rvparts.trailsiderv.net/mfg/P...e%20Industries

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Kevin & Judy

Camped for over 40 years and never had a surge protector, Never had any problems.

x2!
We've camped with our Roo for 10 years and never had a surge protector.
But 75% was dry camping.

If you use electric hookups all the time, then get one.
But many of us haven't ever used one and have never had a problem.

[grumpy0374]

Same argument could be used against carrying a spare..."Haven't had a flat in 10 years".
Until your out boondocking, middle of nowhere, and wake up on a Sunday morning to get going and find you have a flat!!
Bet you'd wish you had a spare!!
Better to have it and never, ever need it, than to be without, stuck for a loooong time.
Grumpy

[Iwannacamp]

Glad you didn't get the 30vs50 amp discussion. Whole new topic



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[karrun]

I'd risk it once, then get one ASAP.

[Iwannacamp]

Ohh. One other thing. Our local/favorite camping area was under water for weeks...we camped after and was GLAD to have EMS when we went after.


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[GreenImp]

Originally Posted by Kaboingy

I was unaware of the need for a surge protector until today. We are brand new to owning a trailer and we are going camping tomorrow for three days. I can't get a surge protector today and need to order online. Would you risk it and still go camping and just hope everything is OK or would you cancel your long awaited camping trip with the kids? Any temporary ways to fix this til we get our surge protector?

I would still go camping. Although the risk of electrical damage is there, it is extremely low. The vast majority of campers do not have this protection and very few ever get damaged during their entire camping careers. You have a much greater chance of being in an accident on the way to or from your destination.

Pick up a Surge Protector when you get back and you will have peace of mind moving forward.

[Kaboingy]

Thank you everyone for your ideas and thoughts and help. I really appreciate it. We are going to go on our trip and do some of the things you all talked about. You are all great.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by grumpy0374

Same argument could be used against carrying a spare..."Haven't had a flat in 10 years".
Until your out boondocking, middle of nowhere, and wake up on a Sunday morning to get going and find you have a flat!!
Bet you'd wish you had a spare!!
Better to have it and never, ever need it, than to be without, stuck for a loooong time.
Grumpy

The old insurance reference better to have it and never use it then to need it and not have it. My uncles favorite quote

[ov845]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Only takes one hit to take out $4000.00 worth of electronics.

Progressive industries hardwired is the only one I'd recommend .


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

X2


Happy Camping!

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