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05-21-2020, 01:59 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 9
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Do I need a surge protector?
I have a 2019 Berkshire 39a. Do these coaches have built in surge protection or do I need to add something?
Started thinking about it after a power surge fried a computer monitor at my house last night. Thanks!
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05-21-2020, 02:49 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Southern California
Posts: 595
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UNLEASH THE HOUNDS!!!!!!
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2015 Berkshire 34QS
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05-21-2020, 03:17 PM
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#3
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Berkshire 390QS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,489
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Don't think the Berkshire come with one. You should have one, we I stalled a Progressive hardwired EMS on ours. Skip
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2011: 54 days, 2012: 218 days, 2013: 175 days, 2014: 196 days
2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
2019: 156 days (2009 Berkshire, 390QS, and toad)
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05-21-2020, 09:43 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Monticello, MN
Posts: 104
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I use one that is portable and I use it all the time. It has warned me several times of a problem at different camp grounds. I bought it at Camping World for around one fifty.
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Jerry & Marianne
2019 Forest River Berkshire 34QS
Fort Snelling National Cemetery Rifle Squad
USS Decatur DDG-31 1971-1975
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05-21-2020, 10:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Northern Foothils CA
Posts: 1,420
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Do a search, there are numerous threads on the value of external surge protectors. If you do a lot of hookups and have expensive electronics it would seem wise to purchase one if only for peace of mind.
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2021 2205S Rockwood Minilite
2019 F 150 Lariat 3.5 Eco Fx4 Max Tow
Equal-i-zer WDH, 1809 lb payload
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05-22-2020, 08:29 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4,330
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I agree with the above. Do a search on past surge protector threads. “Do I need a surge protector?” is a quarterly, if not almost monthly topic here. What can be said about it has already been said.
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2020 Sunseeker 2440DS on 2019 Ford E-450, Trekker cap, Topaz paint
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05-22-2020, 08:45 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: The Best State - TEXAS
Posts: 52
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you opened can of worms
You will see about 1/2 will say yes and the other 1/2 say no, never have used one for years.
My issue is low voltage, not just a surge but turning off if the voltage gets too low. We use watch dog with blue tooth:
https://hughesautoformers.com/power-...ge-protectors/
Really your choice, like I said there are many who have never used one.
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Georgetown VE 34.1 DS
Favorite Drink: Buffalo Trace & Good craft beers with Great Cigars !!
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05-22-2020, 09:42 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 9
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I don’t take a lot of convincing and will be ordering one today. I have read other posts regarding the value of surge protectors. My question (maybe not so clear) was wether or not a 2019 Berkshire had any built in protection. Sounds like it doesn’t. Thanks for the advise!
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05-22-2020, 09:53 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
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When my friend, who didn't have one, got his $600.00 to replace converter fried, he immediately went out and got one!
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2018 Flagstaff 832IKBS Travel Trailer.
2015 Silverado High Country.
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05-22-2020, 10:15 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Southern California
Posts: 595
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wellstercraft
I don’t take a lot of convincing and will be ordering one today. I have read other posts regarding the value of surge protectors. My question (maybe not so clear) was wether or not a 2019 Berkshire had any built in protection. Sounds like it doesn’t. Thanks for the advise!
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I realize the terms get used interchangeably a LOT (and incorrectly), but make sure you understand the difference between a surge protector and an EMS - and how they each do, and more importantly, do not, protect you and your RV.
As noted above, more than enough threads on this Forum to earn a PHD in surge protectors vs EMS!! 
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2015 Berkshire 34QS
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05-22-2020, 10:16 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,554
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The primary promoters of surge protectors are, unsurprisingly, the folks who sell them. Got one at home? Problem of surge there should be the same as anywhere else. I have one somewhere in a box in the camper but don't recall ever using it.
Main issue I've run across at campgrounds (mainly large state parks) is low voltage for which I use an Autoformer which, as I read the manual this morning, includes surge protection -- so I guess I have used surge protection without knowing it.  Low voltage sometimes leads to brown outs in my experience and is one of the reasons I run my refrigerator on LP during hot weather so the beer stays cold and the ice cream frozen regardless of shorepower.
-- Chuck
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2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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05-22-2020, 02:12 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2
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We went for the hardwired Hughes Autoformers PWD30-EPO-H 30amp version for our 2019 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2109S. Loved that we didn't need to worry about plugging it in at each campsite and also not having it exposed to weather. Here's a short video: https://youtu.be/y0AgjimZhPo
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05-22-2020, 02:30 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoneSouth10
I realize the terms get used interchangeably a LOT (and incorrectly), but make sure you understand the difference between a surge protector and an EMS - and how they each do, and more importantly, do not, protect you and your RV.
As noted above, more than enough threads on this Forum to earn a PHD in surge protectors vs EMS!! |
My rule of thumb when packing equipment to go backpacking, mountain biking, Back country skiing, off-roading, etc... is bring it (within reason) and you’ll NEVER need it. Don’t bring it and you’ll DEFINITELY need it.
Seems the same goes for surge protectors/EMS. If I don’t have one, I’m sure there will be an expensive incident. With one, it will probably never be needed.
I ended up ordering the Portable Hughes Autoformers - 50 Amp Bluetooth Surge Protector with Auto Shutoff.
Thanks for the advice!
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05-22-2020, 02:39 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 144
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We fried a converter and a battery caught fire oh I have one
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05-22-2020, 03:22 PM
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#15
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Broken Toe
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Imperial (St. Louis) MO
Posts: 3,745
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You don't.
Tim
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FROG Member MO-0008-571 Since 20124444444444My Project Blog: https://cowracer.blogspot.com/
"Camper" 2016 Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8329ss
"Casper" 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie Diesel
..ProPride 3P Hitch - "Yeah. It's worth it."
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05-22-2020, 03:56 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Posts: 546
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Got a nice tingle while laying on the ground hooking up a safety chain to our tow dolly. Bad pedestal in the park. Switched to a Jeep for four wheel down towing and got a EMS. Always plug it into the pedestal to check before connecting and turning on the shore line. Always better safe than dead (sorry?).
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"Lurch" = Georgetown 2011 330TS
Toad = Jeep 2016 Cherokee
Pilot = Bob
First Mate = Xiangbing
Crew = Radar, NiuNiu & NaNa
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05-22-2020, 05:41 PM
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#17
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2014 XLR 27HFS
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 493
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The dentist says, "Only floss the teeth you want to keep."
When it comes to surge protectors,
"Only protect the electronics you want to keep."
How much did you spend on the camper?
Is $2-300 really too much to protect it?
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Dave & Audrey
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05-22-2020, 06:20 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jackhartjr
When my friend, who didn't have one, got his $600.00 to replace converter fried, he immediately went out and got one!
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He was just lucky it wasn't everything on board his coach.
meantime anytime it's going to plug in home or otherwise it on a plug-in after a voltmeter verifies the correct polarity of the connector and the correct voltage of the source.
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Tom48
In Sunny So Cal /w
Now in 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador DP and The Hot Air Balloon RESTLESS
NO MORE Tricked out
2017 Sandstorm 250 T.H.
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05-23-2020, 08:57 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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No Can of Worms at all
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArubaGeorgetown
You will see about 1/2 will say yes and the other 1/2 say no, never have used one for years.
My issue is low voltage, not just a surge but turning off if the voltage gets too low. We use watch dog with blue tooth:
https://hughesautoformers.com/power-...ge-protectors/
Really your choice, like I said there are many who have never used one.
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I disagree that the subject is a can of worms. Think of it as the insurance you carry on everything that is valuable to you.
You spend the money on the insurance hoping never to use it, but feel secure because it is in place..................OR..................You pat yourself on the back for saving the money and never paying for something you have not needed anyway.
Which guy are you?
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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05-23-2020, 10:00 AM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyflotrtim
Do a search, there are numerous threads on the value of external surge protectors. If you do a lot of hookups and have expensive electronics it would seem wise to purchase one if only for peace of mind.
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Your fridge, water heater, air conditioning all operate off electronics + computers, phone charging stations, TV's, electric recliners.
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