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Old 08-14-2014, 02:20 PM   #1
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Surge protector

What is a good external surge protector? I've read a lot about using them and all say they are the best. I'm getting kind of confused on this.

Thanks!
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Old 08-14-2014, 02:27 PM   #2
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Progressive industries.

I'd still recommend the hardwired version ems with monitor.

There's a 30 amp used for sale in the classifieds here.

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Old 08-14-2014, 02:42 PM   #3
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I was torn between the internal and external too. Went with the external only because I want to be able to take it with me to the next rv. Also I think I'm lazy too!
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Old 08-14-2014, 03:08 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by jkiblin View Post
I was torn between the internal and external too. Went with the external only because I want to be able to take it with me to the next rv. Also I think I'm lazy too!
I can take my hard wired with me.
I put male and female cord ends on mine.
Simply unplug the ends pull out ems plug two other ends back together.

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Old 08-14-2014, 03:28 PM   #5
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I have the Progressive Industries external 50 amp protector and its worth every single penny.
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Old 08-14-2014, 03:36 PM   #6
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I can take my hard wired with me.
I put male and female cord ends on mine.
Simply unplug the ends pull out ems plug two other ends back together.

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While I'd prefer a hardwire, I also know that we won't be long in this TT. Heck, the DW was already looking through the 5er's at Goshen and asking what it would take up update the truck.

So, when I bought my unit, I went with an external 30A for the resale value. I figured that if we did change, we'll probably be going from 30 to 50, and then I'd either be stuck with a 30A hardwire I couldn't put in the new rig, or i'd have to let it go with with the old rig where it wouldn't be factored into the trade in value. With an external unit, I can try to sell it independently to another camper who's still on 30, like my brother or a cousin or something.

Edit: Forgot to mention, we went with a Surge Guard because that's what was in stock at Camping World, and their reviews seemed "good enough". The preference would be for a Progressive Industries but they were exorbitant to try to ship to Canada and I couldn't find one in a local brick and motor store.
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Old 08-14-2014, 03:50 PM   #7
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I'm looking at a Surge Guard Model 34730 by TRC. It's "on sale" right now so it's a little less than the Progressive.

Any thoughts?
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Old 08-14-2014, 03:52 PM   #8
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I went with a portable unit due to budget and lack of electrical knowledge & experience.
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Old 08-14-2014, 03:53 PM   #9
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That's the one I have, from CW. I haven't had an issue with mine, but one of the major differences with the Progressive units is it's lifetime warranty. I don't have that with the Surge Guard one.
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Old 08-14-2014, 03:59 PM   #10
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That's the one I have, from CW. I haven't had an issue with mine, but one of the major differences with the Progressive units is it's lifetime warranty. I don't have that with the Surge Guard one.
And made in the USA ! [emoji631] [emoji631] [emoji631]

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Old 08-31-2014, 10:32 AM   #11
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We were visiting some friends that fulltime at a campground near us. It is a fairly new park and the owner tries to do everything on the cheap. Well with it being the holiday weekend the park was full (it was about 95 degrees out) and one of the transformers blew up. My friend who knows about this kind of stuff said that the owner had too many sites on the transformer 38 and had warned the owner that it was only a matter of time. So the power company came out and installed a new bigger transformer this one was was a 75 vs the old one was a 45 (I don't what that means just saw the numbers on the units). To get back to the original thread my friend has one of those time delay surge protectors so when there is a surge it waits a few minutes to reset and it did it's job when the transformer blew and actually once the power was back on it waited the few minutes to reset. After seeing what can happen I want to get a surge protector. I always thought it is not big deal my have change my mind. So my question is do I need one with all the bells, whistles and time delay reset or just get the Progressive Industries SSP50 Smart Surge at a 1/3 of the price?
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Old 08-31-2014, 10:50 AM   #12
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I see no reason why not, the important thing is to have some kind of protection.

I use this one.

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Old 08-31-2014, 10:55 AM   #13
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That's the one I have, from CW. I haven't had an issue with mine, but one of the major differences with the Progressive units is it's lifetime warranty. I don't have that with the Surge Guard one.
So, if it ever fails it will be replaced at no cost; he said, as he watches his camper being loaded into the dumpster as a pile of burned rubble with the new surge protector in hand. Couldn't resist.
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Old 08-31-2014, 11:02 AM   #14
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While I'd prefer a hardwire, I also know that we won't be long in this TT. Heck, the DW was already looking through the 5er's at Goshen and asking what it would take up update the truck.

So, when I bought my unit, I went with an external 30A for the resale value. I figured that if we did change, we'll probably be going from 30 to 50, and then I'd either be stuck with a 30A hardwire I couldn't put in the new rig, or i'd have to let it go with with the old rig where it wouldn't be factored into the trade in value. With an external unit, I can try to sell it independently to another camper who's still on 30, like my brother or a cousin or something.

Edit: Forgot to mention, we went with a Surge Guard because that's what was in stock at Camping World, and their reviews seemed "good enough". The preference would be for a Progressive Industries but they were exorbitant to try to ship to Canada and I couldn't find one in a local brick and motor store.
Kaadk, I ordered my EMS-HW30C from here and had it shipped to Canada no problems. They have good after sales support, too.

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Old 08-31-2014, 11:37 AM   #15
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I have the hard wire version from Progressive Industries.No plugs on it but will only take 15 minutes to take out and reconnect the wire if I deside to change TT. Only takes a few minutes longer to install first time.. Then no worries about unit be taken with it completely out of sight.
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Old 08-31-2014, 02:15 PM   #16
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After doing some reading I think I am leaning towards the Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C over a portable one and for sure I want more than just a simple surge protector. I am not Mr Wizard when it comes to electrical stuff but, correct me if I am wrong I can wire this inline anywhere between where service comes in and the panel right (there is not a lot of room where my panel is)? Also the EMS-HW50C remote monitor has a bypass switch that would allow me to bypass protection other than surge if I need to run my Inverter Generator right?
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Old 08-31-2014, 02:31 PM   #17
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RickV, yes install the EMS-HW30C anywhere along the orange power line between the outside plug and the back of the power panel. Pull the panel - after disconnecting shore power and disconnecting the battery - and you may find there is enough room to mount the EMS behind the power panel. That's where I put mine.

I used the same 30A plugs that Turbs did but only because I couldn't figure out how to get the orange cable disconnected from the grey clamp on the back of the power panel. I just cut the orange cable and spliced the EMS in the line. I bought my 30A plugs on Amazon.


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Old 08-31-2014, 02:51 PM   #18
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After doing some reading I think I am leaning towards the Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C over a portable one and for sure I want more than just a simple surge protector. I am not Mr Wizard when it comes to electrical stuff but, correct me if I am wrong I can wire this inline anywhere between where service comes in and the panel right (there is not a lot of room where my panel is)? Also the EMS-HW50C remote monitor has a bypass switch that would allow me to bypass protection other than surge if I need to run my Inverter Generator right?
Rick,

I agree - we bought the portable one and I wish I had gotten the hardwired one now.

EMS-HW50C

Some of the guys on the forum said it is really no big deal to install - it goes between your mains and mounts inside your rig.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this, I bet your local RV dealer would do it for you - probably less than a 2 hour job - the hardest part is cutting out your wall to mount the remote panel.
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Old 08-31-2014, 03:02 PM   #19
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Rick,

I agree - we bought the portable one and I wish I had gotten the hardwired one now.

EMS-HW50C

Some of the guys on the forum said it is really no big deal to install - it goes between your mains and mounts inside your rig.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this, I bet your local RV dealer would do it for you - probably less than a 2 hour job - the hardest part is cutting out your wall to mount the remote panel.
Your not in that boat a lone Bob, wish I went that way to. At least we are still protected, I guess it's live and learn.....
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Old 08-31-2014, 07:15 PM   #20
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Your not in that boat a lone Bob, wish I went that way to. At least we are still protected, I guess it's live and learn.....
Scary thing is Glenn...I am toying with the idea of emailing them and asking how *hard* it would be to convert my portable unit to a hard wired one
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