Surge Protector

Longhorn 105 · 02-18-2015, 03:43 PM

Is an electrical surge protector really necessary for a 5th wheel or does it depend on the campground locations?

Lefty59 · 02-18-2015, 03:51 PM

We have one and thought it was well worth it considering how much electronic stuff in the RV can be damaged or destroyed by a power surge and how many campgrounds have unreliable power or are subject to nearby lightning strikes.

Just look up the cost to buy a replacement load center alone and it may surprise you. Add in televisions, radios, microwaves etc. and a good quality surge arrestor seems like a prudent precautionary measure.

mcnabbwr · 02-18-2015, 04:03 PM

I wouldn't even consider plugging into a service without my Surge Guard. It will prevent any damage from surges as well as brown out conditions. Also prevent issues with improperly wired pedestals..

sail2liv · 02-18-2015, 04:10 PM

In 3 years it has saved damage to our rig at least 6 times or more....damage can be seen after several incidents that you would be unaware of....over time with surge gard
it will keep that from happening....good luck

LittlePM · 02-18-2015, 04:16 PM

A few years ago we JUST plugged into the campground electrically post and almost right away smoke started coming from the post, it cost well over $2000 in parts and repairs. We have had a Surge Guard hard wired into our motorhome. To answer your question how much do you want to pay for repairs?

HONDAMAN174 · 02-18-2015, 07:37 PM

Our very first upgrade before camping was a progressive industries protector.

2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"

Narboza · 02-18-2015, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn 105

Is an electrical surge protector really necessary for a 5th wheel or does it depend on the campground locations?

Yes, and Yes.

A 5er contains several thousand dollars in electronics: fridge, TVs, microwave, space heater (ours is a fake fireplace), one or two A/C systems, maybe a washer/dryer, central vacuum, and the converter plus whatever you have plugged into the receptacles. The loss of some of that stuff will ruin/cancel your trip. Damage can happen to any site power pole, or it can be from lightning. Even reputable campgrounds can have damage or get bad repairs from an electrician or handyman.

Like HONDAMAN, I installed a Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C. It was one of the first things I added.

jtownstumpjumper · 02-18-2015, 09:24 PM

Had 30 amp Surge Guard on first TT.....first thing I purchased when we traded for our 2014 Silverback 33RL was a hardwired 50 amp Surge Guard.....I think it's cheap insurance....would like to sell the 30 amp, was only used 4 months.

elind · 02-18-2015, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtownstumpjumper;78711...would like to sell the 30 amp, was only used 4 months.[/QUOTE

x2...would like to sell the 30 amp, was only used 14 months.

**Terier** · 02-18-2015, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn 105

Is an electrical surge protector really necessary for a 5th wheel or does it depend on the campground locations?

It can be well worth the investment. The second time I used my surge protector it came into play at a new campground that was about a year old. A couple of RVers had serious trouble while my unit was protected. You never know what problems can pop up unexpectedly. The surge protector has saved my TT a couple of times.

glen1971 · 02-18-2015, 09:59 PM

Is it worth it? Price out one or two electronic devices that would get fried if you had a power surge or a bad pedestal wiring.. Now figure on how many other devices would be lost... The price of a surge protector is very cheap compared to losing all of your electronics...

pjnlorrie · 02-18-2015, 10:36 PM

Our popup's power panel was damaged at a very nice campground. We did not realize the extent of the damage until after we began our 6 week summer trip a week later. I was able to Christmas tree together a temporary solution, but not everyone has a backgorund in electrical engineering. Every unit we have owned since has had a power analyzer (usually a Progressive unit) installed. In three years we have not had another problem. The units have alerted us to problems with campground power twice.

asquared · 02-18-2015, 11:14 PM

Absolutely get the surge protector, as others have said it is relatively cheap insurance. When you get one, get one that protects against surges and low voltage. Here is a comparison chart of different models. This place is expensive, you can find them a lot cheaper elsewhere.

Papa GLS · 02-19-2015, 06:36 AM

I have a plug in protector & it not only protects from surges or low voltage, but you plug it in before you plug in your power cord it will tell you if the pedestal is wired correctly or if there is a problem with the ground. I learned this from the good folks here on this forum & would not be without it. Like one other member stated, plug it in before you start setting up & if there is a problem you won't have to unhook everything to move to another site if a problem exists.

rattleNsmoke · 02-19-2015, 07:01 AM

There's a lot of folks that go for years without a problem, myself included. I found a place that sold a Progressive Industries hardwired model, 50amp, for under 300 bucks. Since I love to do mods and tinker, I took the plunge and went for it. The installation was straight forward with home owner garage tools. It makes a whole lot of sense, one bad wired pedestal or one lightening strike and Voila! There goes thousands of dollars of electrical equipment. It's cheap insurance. Btw, here's the link to that surge protector: Progressive Electrical Management System, Hardwire 50A/240V EMS-HW50C

DreiHunde · 02-19-2015, 07:07 AM

Definitely get one!!!

mark0224 · 02-19-2015, 07:37 AM

Never had one in our old trailer but when we got our new one was one of the first buys. The amount of money you have into your rig now it's a must, most all have surge protectors on all their electronics in their home why not have it in your little home.

TURBS · 02-19-2015, 07:38 AM

Short answer "ABSOLUTELY"

**KyDan** · 02-19-2015, 07:38 AM

And the Progressive is made in USA and guaranteed for life!!

SilverbackMel · 02-19-2015, 08:03 AM

I had my micro fried at a beautiful upscale park in AZ 3 yrs ago. It weakened my water heater electrical contact board which I also replaced during the extended stay. It weakened my inverter which failed on on first fall trip to Florida. Resort paid for my micro replacement and service call. Unfortunately, I had to pay for the water heater circuit board replacement and service call since it could not be DIRECTLY tied to a power issue. The inverter I replaced myself and wa la all good. My 2015 Silverback will be hard wired before its next journey.
Moral of the story: get one and use it.
Here is WHY: at 11pm when surge happened, internal lights went to battery. Would not come up. Called emergency resort number. They sent their electrician over at midnight who checked and said pedestal was 100%. ( they have 24 hr service personnel since they own and operate a huge casino 1 mile away).
Next morning I went in office snd called a posted recommended mobile RV repair. In 5 minutes tech ( owner) detected damage and issue was open neutral at box. THUS THEY PAID.
Just say'n 😂

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