Surge Protection - Are They Needed

[Scubanut]

I had my first issue with a cg pedestal yesterday. My PMS did it’s job and shut down. I got an E2 error code on my display, meaning an open ground. I called the park office to look at it. To my surprise in 10 minutes their maintenance guy showed up. I explained and showed him what my PMS display was doing. He checked it with his test light plug and it showed ok. We went to a different pedestal as well as my neighbors on same pole. Plugged in the PMS and those were fine. After a few minutes of trying a few things it was determined the 30 amp plug on my pedestal was worn out. He swapped out the plug and all is fine now. Here is the best part, he said he will ask his employer to purchase one to help fault find other problems. He was very impressed.

[drmoparPHD]

One of the upscale RV Parks in California is Jackson Casino RV Park. They now suggest on their website surge protection. This is a Park that has everything heavy duty. Must have been a problem to have it on their website now.

[JoArt]

Hello All,
Thank you, thank you for ALL your input.
We decided to "bit the bullet" and purchase the EMS PT30X.
Now on to waiting for it to arrive and finding the best way to secure it when it is outside the trailer. Ideas gladly accepted.

I really do appreciate this forum on helping us have an easier more enjoyable camping experience.

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by JoArt

Hello All,
Thank you, thank you for ALL your input.
We decided to "bit the bullet" and purchase the EMS PT30X.
Now on to waiting for it to arrive and finding the best way to secure it when it is outside the trailer. Ideas gladly accepted.

I really do appreciate this forum on helping us have an easier more enjoyable camping experience.

many of the breaker boxes have a whole on the side box to allow a padlock. That prevents it from being removed. I also have a flexible gun lock to latch it around the wire, or post if I can do the above

[itat]

Many of the parks we camp at don't really have a place to lock a portable EMS to, that's why I decided to go with the hard wired version. Heck, many of the power poles I see at private parks and KOAs don't even have a breaker on the post. I have to turn off the main 30A breaker in the trailer before connecting.

JoArt, once you start using the EMS you'll likely see a lot of things that you had no idea were happening before using it. It really is an eye-opener and great insurance. They aren't cheap but they are definitely cheaper than repairing damage that could be caused by some of the conditions the EMS checks for. If you find you're getting a lot of E-4 (low voltage) error codes, consider buying an Autoformer to prevent the low voltage condition so that the EMS won't have to shut off power to your trailer.

[W5CI]

IMHO an EMS is just like Life Insurance, you don't need it until you Need it. Then it is to late. I have a PI PT-50 just for insurance.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by W5CI

IMHO an EMS is just like Life Insurance, you don't need it until you Need it. Then it is to late. I have a PI PT-50 just for insurance.

In addition to protection, they provide valuable information regarding volts, amps and frequency. They are a great troubleshooting tool and assist in managing usage for the 30 amp guys.

Having a hard-wired unit, with the display mounted on the wall, makes for instant feedback.

[RickyD929]

Ditto on the autoformer. Especially for seasonal or full time RV'ers

Sent from my SM-G935V using Forest River Forums mobile app

[Herk7769]

I will always have an autotransformer in any camper I own.

There are just too much electronics in our campers today to take a chance on low voltage and spikes. It is a darn shame that Frank's Electronics 2 stage booster autotransformer went out of business when he passed and all that is left are the less capable one stage units.

[JoArt]

Update:
I purchased the EMS-PT 30X surge protection. Yesterday it came in the mail and I was shocked to see how big it was,( 19"H x 6 1/2"D x 51/2"W ) it almost needs it's own trailer, lol.
Thank you again for all you input on this matter. Looking forward to using it on our next camping adventure.

[crunchman12001]

Originally Posted by JoArt

Update:
I purchased the EMS-PT 30X surge protection. Yesterday it came in the mail and I was shocked to see how big it was,( 19"H x 6 1/2"D x 51/2"W ) it almost needs it's own trailer, lol.
Thank you again for all you input on this matter. Looking forward to using it on our next camping adventure.

Excellent choice! Welcome to the club.

[pjnlorrie]

Our Progressive Ind unit saved us last weekend for probably the fourth time in two years. This time the voltage in the CG browned out momentarily. We had the AC on. The PMS shut the connection down and likely saved the AC and other devices in the camper.

[Scubanut]

Originally Posted by Scubanut

I had my first issue with a cg pedestal yesterday. My PMS did it’s job and shut down. I got an E2 error code on my display, meaning an open ground. I called the park office to look at it. To my surprise in 10 minutes their maintenance guy showed up. I explained and showed him what my PMS display was doing. He checked it with his test light plug and it showed ok. We went to a different pedestal as well as my neighbors on same pole. Plugged in the PMS and those were fine. After a few minutes of trying a few things it was determined the 30 amp plug on my pedestal was worn out. He swapped out the plug and all is fine now. Here is the best part, he said he will ask his employer to purchase one to help fault find other problems. He was very impressed.

Edit: PMS , I mean EMS. My Canadian vocabulary slipped me up PMS (Power Management System)

[JoArt]

FYI-
We went out to a CG with hook-ups this weekend, the campsite was on a bit of a slang with the power higher on the embankment. The power was a bit slanted down and the EMS was heavy enough to almost pull it's self out of the socket. Had to use some cable wire we had along to wrap it around the EMS cord and pedestal so it wouldn't fall out. Good we had the cable wire along.

[Gumpster808]

Just to add what happened to us this time hooking up. Have the progressive p30x. All good at campground, no issues etc.

Got out our outside table portable Coleman dc cooler etc and plugged in the power strip for things to plug into outside. Now this is a power strip we have been using in the house for a long time.

As soon as I plugged in the power strip I hear from inside the coach, we lost power.

Long story short it was the power strip - error code on EMS was open ground. Threw the power strip in the trash and no issues since.

EMS worked instantly, nice to know it is that fast and even handles things you plug in.

[Carl Patterson]

Great

[backpacker3]

I have been using a surge protector for years ever since a friend of mine and his DW where on vacation where at a campground there was a power surge and fried his wiring. Luckily, his insurance fixed the damage but he learned a lesson a hard way. By the way, I was told that these portable power strips should be replaced very few years because they do fail over time. I replace mine every two to three years and buy them when on sale, keep some on hand just in case.

[FrayAdjacent]

With a new-to-me Rockwood 194HW being my first camper, and hopefully one I'll use for a long time...I'm going to get the wired-in Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C for the camper. I'd rather take the time to do it once, and then not really have to worry about it. I'd be pretty worried that someone would spot a $250 plug-in thing and steal it. Wired in the camper, it's out of site, and it's always going to be there and active without having to do anything. Cheap insurance!