Surge Protector

[weekendgypsy]

I was wondering what your thoughts were on surge protectors.

[dodgemark]

A must have. Well if you want to protect your campers various electronics

[weekendgypsy]

Originally Posted by dodgemark

A must have. Well if you want to protect your campers various electronics

If anyone has any recommendations or comments on the different types of S P I would appreciate it.

[Dakota EV]

A surge protector is a must have for any camper. We started out with an external protector that I had to hook up every time we setup camping and then I decided to install a hard-wired surge protector inside of my 5th wheel. It only took me about an hour to install the unit and I am glad that I did. This unit has saved me trouble 4 different times and it saves me time in setting up my camping. The unit that I chose was the "Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C" since my camper is 50 amps. But they also have 30 amp models. The hardwired unit was a little more expensive that the external unit but it was worth it to me. I also like the led monitor that came with the unit. I put this unit in the compartment where I store my power cable so that I can tell as soon as I hook up the power cord if everything is ok and I have good power.

Happy Camping......

[cavie]

A straight "Surge Protector" is a total waist of money in my book. It only protects from incoming large surges and is a one time use item when hit. Low voltage is your enemy in a campground. What you need to buy is an EMS system. It protect not only large surges but high and low voltage as well. Also checks for correct wiring. "Surge Protector" is an electric trade name for a particular type of product. It does just what it says it is SURGE protector. Look for a "Progressive Industries" EMS in the amperage to match your RV. "Surge Guard" is a product trade name. You must read the specs on what you are buying.

The sad part is the average Joe doesn't know the difference between the two and doesn't know which he has.

As for portable or hard wired that's up to you. I'm told Portable get's forgot and left behind at camp. I don't understand how but I'm just a dumb electrician. That would be the first thing I would unplug and walk it back to the camper for safe keeping but that's just me. If it goes bad and stopps working you simple unplug it and plug your camper back in and your good to go. If the hard wire unit goes bad, and does not work in BY-pass mode, You are forced to remove it yourself or call a tech to do it. You do know these thing only go bad on a holiday weekend in the middle of nowhere RIGHT!

[Cabinfever97]

What Cavie said! I am even looking at possibly adding a "full service" one to our home. Seems the past few power outages we are getting a low voltage feed to the house. After conversations with the local electric suppliers engineers we believe someone is using a generator when the power is out without having a transfer switch. Low or high voltage is not good in your RV or home.

[jeff64]

Like cavie says " just a surge protector is a waste..." Spend the extra buckos and get the EMS whether it's portable or hardwired. Mine is the PI portable and I secure it to the post with a Master cable lock to discourage all but the highly motivated. I throw a plastic trash can liner over the whole works to keep the rain out of the connections, etc. From my experience, the instances of low voltage are way more common than the surges and you want it to shut down. Pretty common when the CGs are full and everybody's running ACs etc.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by weekendgypsy

If anyone has any recommendations or comments on the different types of S P I would appreciate it.

Here you go:
What Surge Protector is best for my RV? | Learn To RV

[dodgemark]

Originally Posted by weekendgypsy

If anyone has any recommendations or comments on the different types of S P I would appreciate it.

What kind of camper trailer or 5er?. These I recommend

[Dirt Sifter]

Never knew. I love this forum. Thanks for contributing, you guys!

[Wiscampsin]

An EMS system is cheap insurance when you consider the thousand$ it costs to replace all your onboard electronic devices from furmace, fridge board, tv, AC, HWH, etc.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by cavie

A straight "Surge Protector" is a total waist of money in my book. It only protects from incoming large surges and is a one time use item when hit. Low voltage is your enemy in a campground. What you need to buy is an EMS system. It protect not only large surges but high and low voltage as well. Also checks for correct wiring. "Surge Protector" is an electric trade name for a particular type of product. It does just what it says it is SURGE protector. Look for a "Progressive Industries" EMS in the amperage to match your RV. "Surge Guard" is a product trade name. You must read the specs on what you are buying.



The sad part is the average Joe doesn't know the difference between the two and doesn't know which he has.



As for portable or hard wired that's up to you. I'm told Portable get's forgot and left behind at camp. I don't understand how but I'm just a dumb electrician. That would be the first thing I would unplug and walk it back to the camper for safe keeping but that's just me. If it goes bad and stopps working you simple unplug it and plug your camper back in and your good to go. If the hard wire unit goes bad, and does not work in BY-pass mode, You are forced to remove it yourself or call a tech to do it. You do know these thing only go bad on a holiday weekend in the middle of nowhere RIGHT!

I walk around campgrounds right much and I hardly ever see a portable unit, maybe they are all hardwired. Most people that’s parked beside us don’t even know what they are. I have the portable 50 amp model and it’s pretty much useless, it has quit working four times, it has been back to the factory three times and needs to go back now. I seem to have misplaced the invoice. I think I wasted $350 bucks, the portable unit is not very water resistant.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by dodgemark

What kind of camper trailer or 5er?Attachment 198070Attachment 198071. These I recommend

Agreed!

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by spock123

I walk around campgrounds right much and I hardly ever see a portable unit, maybe they are all hardwired. Most people that’s parked beside us don’t even know what they are. I have the portable 50 amp model and it’s pretty much useless, it has quit working four times, it has been back to the factory three times and needs to go back now. I seem to have misplaced the invoice. I think I wasted $350 bucks, the portable unit is not very water resistant.

Our unit which is the Progressive Industries portable EMS-PT30X has worked consistently for a long time and has withstood all kinds of weather including the incredible downpours. The newer models have a cover over the plug which I don't think is even needed. We never had one on the older one we had and it never shorted out in any kind of rain. (That one was stolen along with everything else in our RV compartments at a "locked" storage facility, so now we have the new version with the rain shield.)

[babock]

I put in a hardwired progressive one. It has the bypass switch. I don't have to worry about forgetting it or having someone steal it.

[CincyGus]

I have the Progressive Industries portable EMS-PT30X as well and it's been a solid performer and trouble free. Don't know if it's saved me or not but it's like insurance, many people think it's a waste until you need it. One event and I could be looking at thousands of $$$ of electronics needing to be replaced so I figured for under $300, I'd play it safe.

[waybeck2018]

Originally Posted by Dirt Sifter

Never knew. I love this forum. Thanks for contributing, you guys!

I have been camping for years but learn oe or more things every time I get on this forum. Great folks and great information found here.

[wanderer44]

I have the Progressive mounted surge protector. There is a remote read out that tells you the voltage, amps and error code numbers. Really nice to see what each individual component draws for power!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

An EMS system is cheap insurance when you consider the thousand$ it costs to replace all your onboard electronic devices from furmace, fridge board, tv, AC, HWH, etc.

It depends on your camper and your camping style. With an A-frame, there are only a few appliances on the AC side - the Cool Cat air conditioner, the microwave ($35 cheapie), the fridge AC coil (the control board is DC), the converter, and anything plugged into AC outlets.

The $$ risk is just not that great, especially when the likelihood and effects of either a surge or brownout is considered. A brownout would only have a detrimental effect on the Cool Cat and perhaps the microwave. A high power surge - which will go through most surge protectors - may cause more damage.

And if you avoid private campgrounds, prefer to dry camp or boondock, you have just reduced your risk that much more.

Because we dry camp about 40%, and most of the rest is in public campgrounds which cater to smaller RVs and tent campers, the risk just isn't that high for us.

just my thoughts and experiences
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time