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02-18-2015, 03:43 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Barnesville, GA
Posts: 13
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Surge Protector
Is an electrical surge protector really necessary for a 5th wheel or does it depend on the campground locations?
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Mike & Patty
2014 Ram 3500 Longhorn 6.7L 4x4
2015 Columbus 320RS
Days Glamping 2015 - 13
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02-18-2015, 03:51 PM
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#2
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GLCM Warrior
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 277
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We have one and thought it was well worth it considering how much electronic stuff in the RV can be damaged or destroyed by a power surge and how many campgrounds have unreliable power or are subject to nearby lightning strikes.
Just look up the cost to buy a replacement load center alone and it may surprise you. Add in televisions, radios, microwaves etc. and a good quality surge arrestor seems like a prudent precautionary measure.
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2014 Wildcat 312QBX
2014 Ford F350 SD 4X4 CC LB 6.7L PSD
Bob & Debbie, USAF Retired
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02-18-2015, 04:03 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lower Michigan
Posts: 1,471
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I wouldn't even consider plugging into a service without my Surge Guard. It will prevent any damage from surges as well as brown out conditions. Also prevent issues with improperly wired pedestals..
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Bill & Pam
2014 Trilogy 3650RE
2015 F350 PSD
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02-18-2015, 04:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 295
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In 3 years it has saved damage to our rig at least 6 times or more....damage can be seen after several incidents that you would be unaware of....over time with surge gard
it will keep that from happening....good luck
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2011 Silverado 2500HD 6.0 Gas 3.73
2013 Flagstaff 8524 RLWS
1978 Cape Dory Ketch
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02-18-2015, 04:16 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: In the Heart of Dixie
Posts: 2,001
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A few years ago we JUST plugged into the campground electrically post and almost right away smoke started coming from the post, it cost well over $2000 in parts and repairs. We have had a Surge Guard hard wired into our motorhome. To answer your question how much do you want to pay for repairs?
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Pennie and Chuck, Mandi and Polly (the little dogs)
Hosted BamaGanza 2017 & 2018
2014 Georgetown XL378, 2014 GMC Acadia Denali Toad
The Home of the FREE because of the BRAVE
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02-18-2015, 07:37 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Big brown desert
Posts: 3,003
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Our very first upgrade before camping was a progressive industries protector.
2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"
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2014 Stealth Evo 2850- "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7- "Clifford"
2013 Honda Accord Coupe V6 w/Track Pack- "Julia"
Just glad to get away
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02-18-2015, 09:18 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 289
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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?
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Yes, and Yes.
A 5er contains several thousand dollars in electronics: fridge, TVs, microwave, space heater (ours is a fake fireplace), one or two A/C systems, maybe a washer/dryer, central vacuum, and the converter plus whatever you have plugged into the receptacles. The loss of some of that stuff will ruin/cancel your trip. Damage can happen to any site power pole, or it can be from lightning. Even reputable campgrounds can have damage or get bad repairs from an electrician or handyman.
Like HONDAMAN, I installed a Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C. It was one of the first things I added.
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2014 Blue Ridge 3715BH <- Read the saga
2013 Sierra 3500HD Denali CCLB DRW 4x4 Duramax w/ Reese 20K
USN Retired (26 years), but not Retired retired
Home Port Orlando
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02-18-2015, 09:24 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Jonesboro AR--Home of Arkansas State University and the Red Wolves
Posts: 583
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Had 30 amp Surge Guard on first TT.....first thing I purchased when we traded for our 2014 Silverback 33RL was a hardwired 50 amp Surge Guard.....I think it's cheap insurance....would like to sell the 30 amp, was only used 4 months.
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Lloyd & Kathy Martin
2018 Forest River Palomino Columbus 383FB
2016 Chevy 3500HD SRW Z71 LTZ 4WD Crew Cab, DuraMax/Allison.
2014-38nights/3500 mi; 2015-66nights/6260 mi;2016-44 nights/6106 mi;2017-65nights/6992 mi;2018-47nights/7376mi;2019-65nights/7825 mi;2020-59nights/4142mi;2021-39nights/3072 mi;2022-59-nights/6149 mi;2023-36nights/3001miles.
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02-18-2015, 09:31 PM
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#9
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Phat Phrog Stunt Crew
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Upper Penisula Michigan / Arizona
Posts: 2,767
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtownstumpjumper;78711...would like to sell the 30 amp, was only used 4 months.[/QUOTE
x2...would like to sell the 30 amp, was only used 14 months.
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Ed & Ruthann / Toby and Tucker
2014 GMC Sierra Crewcab 2500 Duramax
2014 Wildcat 327ck
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02-18-2015, 09:35 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,447
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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?
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It can be well worth the investment. The second time I used my surge protector it came into play at a new campground that was about a year old. A couple of RVers had serious trouble while my unit was protected. You never know what problems can pop up unexpectedly. The surge protector has saved my TT a couple of times.
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Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
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02-18-2015, 09:59 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Pincher Creek, AB
Posts: 860
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Is it worth it? Price out one or two electronic devices that would get fried if you had a power surge or a bad pedestal wiring.. Now figure on how many other devices would be lost... The price of a surge protector is very cheap compared to losing all of your electronics...
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Camped: 2024 (Days/Nights) - 4/3
2023 (D/N) - 34/27, 2022 (D/N) - 41/33, 2021 (D/N) - 37/29, 2020 (D/N): 58/49
TT: 2020 26' Hemisphere 26BHHL
TV: 2020 GMC 2500HD 4x4
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02-18-2015, 10:36 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 205
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Our popup's power panel was damaged at a very nice campground. We did not realize the extent of the damage until after we began our 6 week summer trip a week later. I was able to Christmas tree together a temporary solution, but not everyone has a backgorund in electrical engineering. Every unit we have owned since has had a power analyzer (usually a Progressive unit) installed. In three years we have not had another problem. The units have alerted us to problems with campground power twice.
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02-18-2015, 11:14 PM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,069
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Absolutely get the surge protector, as others have said it is relatively cheap insurance. When you get one, get one that protects against surges and low voltage. Here is a comparison chart of different models. This place is expensive, you can find them a lot cheaper elsewhere.
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2014 Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 3500 4wd Duramax/Allison
2014 Sabre 34REQS-6
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02-19-2015, 06:36 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NE Florida
Posts: 781
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I have a plug in protector & it not only protects from surges or low voltage, but you plug it in before you plug in your power cord it will tell you if the pedestal is wired correctly or if there is a problem with the ground. I learned this from the good folks here on this forum & would not be without it. Like one other member stated, plug it in before you start setting up & if there is a problem you won't have to unhook everything to move to another site if a problem exists.
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02-19-2015, 07:01 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Western Connecticut
Posts: 1,587
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There's a lot of folks that go for years without a problem, myself included. I found a place that sold a Progressive Industries hardwired model, 50amp, for under 300 bucks. Since I love to do mods and tinker, I took the plunge and went for it. The installation was straight forward with home owner garage tools. It makes a whole lot of sense, one bad wired pedestal or one lightening strike and Voila! There goes thousands of dollars of electrical equipment. It's cheap insurance. Btw, here's the link to that surge protector: Progressive Electrical Management System, Hardwire 50A/240V EMS-HW50C
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2010 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel 34SATS "The Beast"
2006 Ford F350 Lariat 6.0L Diesel
2003 Harley Heritage Softail "Hogzilla"
1986 Marriage to "Wifey" (patience of a saint)
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02-19-2015, 07:07 AM
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#16
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Definitely get one!!!
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Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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02-19-2015, 07:37 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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Never had one in our old trailer but when we got our new one was one of the first buys. The amount of money you have into your rig now it's a must, most all have surge protectors on all their electronics in their home why not have it in your little home.
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Think about things before you do them make life easier not harder.
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02-19-2015, 07:38 AM
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#18
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Short answer "ABSOLUTELY"
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02-19-2015, 07:38 AM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
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And the Progressive is made in USA and guaranteed for life!!
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Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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02-19-2015, 08:03 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dacula, Georgia
Posts: 1,283
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I had my micro fried at a beautiful upscale park in AZ 3 yrs ago. It weakened my water heater electrical contact board which I also replaced during the extended stay. It weakened my inverter which failed on on first fall trip to Florida. Resort paid for my micro replacement and service call. Unfortunately, I had to pay for the water heater circuit board replacement and service call since it could not be DIRECTLY tied to a power issue. The inverter I replaced myself and wa la all good. My 2015 Silverback will be hard wired before its next journey.
Moral of the story: get one and use it.
Here is WHY: at 11pm when surge happened, internal lights went to battery. Would not come up. Called emergency resort number. They sent their electrician over at midnight who checked and said pedestal was 100%. ( they have 24 hr service personnel since they own and operate a huge casino 1 mile away).
Next morning I went in office snd called a posted recommended mobile RV repair. In 5 minutes tech ( owner) detected damage and issue was open neutral at box. THUS THEY PAID.
Just say'n 😂
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