Surge Protector - Page 2

BombDoc · 02-19-2015, 08:22 AM

To make a long and expensive story short, YES it is worth it!!! Had I had one installed before my maiden voyage to visit family, I wouldn't have fried the microwave, fire place, converter, and brand new television. Being a newbie and never owning a camper before, I made the bonehead mistake of plugging into a 220V outlet. Costly mistake. Also on several summer time camping trips when the weather has turned bad, the campgrounds I have stayed at have totally lost power, or gone through a rapid flickering of power situation. My hardwired surge has saved me in those situations by delaying the passage of power until things stabilize. Well worth the investment IMO.

**Flybob** · 02-19-2015, 08:42 AM

To add a somewhat technical explanation to this discussion. Most campgrounds have a series of sub panels between the Main and the pedestal at your site. That means that although you are the only one on your individual breaker, there are multiple other users on the larger breaker in a panel upstream. If it is very hot or very cold, each user could be drawing at or very close to their pedestal limit, as appliances cycle on and off the load changes and can cause low voltages or sudden spikes damaging equipment if a surge guard is not in use. AC compressors are particularly susceptible to low voltage.

Kaadk · 02-19-2015, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn 105

Is an electrical surge protector really necessary for a 5th wheel or does it depend on the campground locations?

Is it absolutely necessary? No. I've never encountered a situation where mine saved me. But the simple fact is that I have it already in place for that rare time that a situation does happen. We can't predict when there's going to be a surge, and undervoltage, or a loose wired pedestal, so we use protection. If you wait until you encounter an issue, by then it's already too late.

And this can affect any campground. There's stories on this board about campgrounds where 99% of the pedestals are fine, but our members (being educated about such things) have identified the one pedestal where something came loose, or contacts wore out, or whatever that could have caused issues. Most of those times was thanks to having some kind of surge protection.

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youroo · 02-19-2015, 09:01 AM

I see where Members have bought (30 amp S/P) and then moved to units that are (50A) and list their (30A S/P) for Discount Sale! Question,is can you install a (Progressive EMS-HW 50C )in a (30A unit) instead of buying a (Progressive EMS-HW 30C) then if you Upgrade to a (50A unit) you just Transfer the (50A) no need to sell a (30A) at a loss?

Youroo!!

CLewis · 02-19-2015, 09:09 AM

We were leaving our campsite in Myrtle Beach 3 yrs. ago. When I went to unplug from the campground power. I saw our plug was starting to melt to the pedestal. The hubby had to put a new end on our electrical cord. We bought a surge protector and have never plugged in without it. We were lucky nothing else happened. Well worth the investment!!

sonic2 · 02-19-2015, 09:12 AM

With all the electronics in the RV plus the additional items like a lap top, cell phone, eBook reader, TV’s, etc... A low voltage, bad ground or surge could cost hundreds or thousands to replace or repair all the appliances and wiring. I will not plug in without one. Additionally, I have a surge protector on each outlet in the RV. The reason is each time the AC or microwave turn on it sends an internal surge throughout the RV. I have done the same in my home. Because most items we use have micro processors or some type of electronics in the device, they’re susceptible to damage from electrical impulses.

I purchased a Progressive Industries product. The reason I bought a Progressive Industries product:
1. Made in U.S.A.
2. Lifetime Warranty
3. Surge Indicator
4. Open Ground
5. High/Low Voltage Protection
6. Time Delay for A/C Compressor
7. 3-Mode Surge Protection
8. Reverse Polarity Protection
9. Open Neutral Protection
10. AC Frequency Protection
11. Accidental 240V Protection

To view a picture of this product and read additional product information click on this link:
www.dogandtrailer.com/gallery/?sa=view;id=1082

TURBS · 02-19-2015, 09:14 AM

bombdoc can tell you several reasons why u should

BombDoc · 02-19-2015, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TURBS

bombdoc can tell you several reasons why u should

I already did in post #21, no reason to rub it in!!

geotex1 · 02-19-2015, 10:01 AM

Jumping onto this train - yes, get one! However, not just any one - a Progressive Industries unit! In 9 years of owning ours, last year was the first time is saved our ***** and I'm VERY thankful I use it religiously. Final trip of the season and third in our BRAND NEW TT staying at a beautiful CG we stayed at many times. Difference being that it was undergoing renovation as a new KOA CG. The riverfront sites had all received new underground cabling and power pedestals, and we were put in one of the sites just completed and reopened that day. Guess WTH I found when I plugged in my PT30C?!?!

youroo · 02-19-2015, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youroo

I see where Members have bought (30 amp S/P) and then moved to units that are (50A) and list their (30A S/P) for Discount Sale! Question,is can you install a (Progressive EMS-HW 50C )in a (30A unit) instead of buying a (Progressive EMS-HW 30C) then if you Upgrade to a (50A unit) you just Transfer the (50A) no need to sell a (30A) at a loss?

Youroo!!

Went right to the MFG. (Progressive Industries) for the (Correct Info) and the answer is YES you can put a (EMS-HW50C) S/P in a (30A unit)! Price diff.is a lot less than selling a 30A when you upgrade to a 50A RV!

Youroo!!

youroo · 02-20-2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elind

x2...would like to sell the 30 amp, was only used 14 months.

[/QUOTE] eland,is your (30A) a (Hardwired)? Youroo!!

elind · 02-20-2015, 03:26 PM

eland,is your (30A) a (Hardwired)? Youroo!!

[/QUOTE]

No, it's a plug & play TRC 30 amp. That's what I get for bring DW to the Goshen Rally. A new rig.

TURBS · 02-20-2015, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youroo

Went right to the MFG. (Progressive Industries) for the (Correct Info) and the answer is YES you can put a (EMS-HW50C) S/P in a (30A unit)! Price diff.is a lot less than selling a 30A when you upgrade to a 50A RV!

Youroo!!

Answering your own questions now?

tprp · 02-22-2015, 10:38 PM

Great advice (as usual) on the forums!
I have on one order from Amazon now.

2014 Nissan Pathfinder
2015 Vibe 6504

jkeezer · 02-27-2015, 07:14 PM

Does anybody know if the progressive industries unit can be used in conjunction with a Hughes autoformer

geotex1 · 02-27-2015, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkeezer

Does anybody know if the progressive industries unit can be used in conjunction with a Hughes autoformer

The autoformer is a line conditioner and needs to read the low and high on the line supply to function. As such, with an autoformer there's no need to have low/high voltage protection, and the Hughes I know have surge protection. You could certainly used the protections against open neutral or ground, reverse polarity, and 240V, so one of the PI's Smart Surge Protectors might be a good fit. Drop PI an email: info@progressiveindustries.net they response quickly.

ferguson65 · 03-01-2015, 05:58 PM

For the sake of discussion, what is everyone's opinion on hard wired VS portable? I've read enough to see that I want a progressive industries (EMS) unit for our new trailer but I'm having a tough time deciding if I want hard wire or portable. Thoughts?

SilverbackMel · 03-01-2015, 06:10 PM

THEFT and plain ole forgetting it. Another is having to do with non std pedastal and not enough clearance. Another is wrestling it and plugs in pouring rain.
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asquared · 03-01-2015, 06:41 PM

We didn't feel we would know how to properly wire a hardwired and the hardwired were more expensive. Also the portable can be easily used in more than one rig if you trade trailers.

Kaadk · 03-01-2015, 06:53 PM

Basically the major pros to hardwired is set and forget and theft protection.

The major pros to the plug in is being able to check the pole without plugging in the whole trailer and portability to from trailer to trailer.

Though most of the hardwired guys will tell you the hardwired's just as portable. Several have even installed theirs with plugs on the cords making them easy to pull out.

I've got the portable for mine, since I knew what I have is just a starter trailer and I'll be upgrading eventually. Don't know what I'll do if ever upgrade to a 50A rig. Might hardwire, might not. We'll see when I get there.

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