Power Surge Cord

[awwall]

After 2 TV's and a microwave, I now have the PI 50amp EMS. A high voltage power surge got my stuff........while plugged in at home!!!!!

[bodzcampers]

I just ordered one and am waiting to get it. I am wondering what to expect when it's working. Will power shut down from time to time, signaling that it's working or what?

[caper]

Ours shut down during a thunderstorm last summer. Mine has to be manually reset. They are great insurance for the unit. One of the members was camping in NB when the ground shorted out under ground. All of the trailers in his section got zapped with 220volt. He was lucky only lost his electronics, one other camper lost his trailer when it caught fire.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by caper

Ours shut down during a thunderstorm last summer. Mine has to be manually reset. They are great insurance for the unit. One of the members was camping in NB when the ground shorted out under ground. All of the trailers in his section got zapped with 220volt. He was lucky only lost his electronics, one other camper lost his trailer when it caught fire.

Ouch!

[life2short4nofun]

The park where I am right now has had low voltage sometimes, so what it does it shut me off then comes back on when its fine and gives me a read out of low voltage and on what leg it was on.

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by bodzcampers

I just ordered one and am waiting to get it. I am wondering what to expect when it's working. Will power shut down from time to time, signaling that it's working or what?

The display will give you voltage and current values. Other than that, if you're lucky, you'll never know its there.

[spierce617]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

The display will give you voltage and current values. Other than that, if you're lucky, you'll never know its there.

X2 on that.

[bodzcampers]

So, as I understand it, the surge/low voltage thingy will power down the RV until it decides electric conditions are safe? Is that right?
How long does one wait for power to return before they decide something is really really wrong and it's not just a power fluctuation? When there's high demand from A/Cs on a 90 degree day, could my power be off for many hours? So many questions about this thing.

[BarryD0706]

There is a code displayed that tells you what the unit thinks is wrong. If its high or low voltage code, you can see for yourself what the voltage is on the display. If the code says low voltage, but it's reading 120, then the unit is broke.

How long your power might be out depends on how poorly designed the campground is where you're paying.

[life2short4nofun]

Fulltiming for almost a year and we have never had a problem till this park like was said its just there protecting and monitoring. It shuts us off on low voltage here but it's comes right back on seems the power drops fast and then comes back up.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by life2short4nofun

The park where I am right now has had low voltage sometimes, so what it does it shut me off then comes back on when its fine and gives me a read out of low voltage and on what leg it was on.

Same thing here right now. My surgegard kept tripping. I pulled my meter and sure enough, low voltage.

[bodzcampers]

Okay, so to be clear. I can expect my power to go off, but usually it comes right back on, unless the electricity is really messed up at the CG...then it's a deeper problem. I think I got it now. Is that correct?

[bodzcampers]

^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

[QCCowboy]

Yes. If you have anything that creates a problem with low/high voltage, surges, etc. it will shut down the AC power until the power is operating within the normal range again. Then power wil come back on. If there is a problem with the wiring at a CG it could create problems (for you) by going on and off.....but than again I would change sites/campgrounds if that was the case. I should add this is how the PI units operate, not sure on others. There is a bypass if you choose to use it but you lose most of the protection (I believe surge still works).

[bodzcampers]

Thanks. After investing in this, I wouldn't want to 'by-pass'. I did order the PI. I'm glad to hear that normally, I won't lose power for a long time. If I do, I'll contact CG to fix the box. We're seasonal. Made this purchase without DH, so I'm a little slow grasping electrical stuff. Sorry to keep posting similar questions, I just want to be clear. Thank You.

[Herk7769]

This is one advantage of the Franks unit. It will provide usable power as long as the pole is providing at least 91 volts AC (the low voltage shutdown point).

[bodzcampers]

I was wondering about that Herk. Can you give me the website? I know you posted it, but it would be hard to find in all these power surge threads.
Being full-time all summer, I really don't want to lose power at all on those blistering days.

[Herk7769]

I think it is in the review I did of the autotransformer.

Here it is:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ers-26202.html

The web site is: http://www.voltagebooster.com/

[bodzcampers]

Herk.
If I am understanding this correctly, the Frank's Unit will protect against surges and low voltage. It also will power down the RV if conditions are bad and auto restart the power when conditions return to good. In addition, the Frank's Unit will boost power during low voltage times, resulting in fewer interruptions. Is that correct?

[FloridaPhil]

Has anyone had any or heard of any theft problems of the surge protectors?