Hardwired vs Portable Surge Protection

[DeadSalmon]

I have a 2019 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2512. When I purchased it (new) I installed a Southwire 35530 which is their hardwired unit. I also have the auxiliary remote display unit so I can monitor the system. The unit itself is mounted behind the power distribution box.

The surge protector is no longer working. It runs through its delay but then does not engage the contactor. The remote display shows 120V and 0A, then “Replace Surge”. Southwire says this means the surge protection circuit has failed and the unit needs to be replaced.

I am seeking opinions: Should I replace this with the same unit? Or should I look at the pedestal version instead.

Normally there would be little need to ever replace these and I’m not sure why this one failed. I do not recall any storms at the end of last season. Nor do I recall not having power as I was prepping the rig for storage. Replacing the built in unit will be a Pain but I will need to at least remove it from the circuit if I go portable. Either was I will be dealing with this failed unit.

Thought I would get some opinions from the group on this.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

It's really an individual preference.
We went with the portable one. It would be difficult to install a permanent one in our rig. It also allows us to test the post before we pull in and set up.

 

[MuddauberE]

I personally prefer the built-in units. I had the Progressive industries hardwired surge protector behind my panel in my trailer, which lasted five years. It was still working just a week ago when I traded it in and bought a new camper.
I went ahead and purchased the power watch dog hardwire unit for the new camper. It has a replaceable circuit board that is not that expensive. The circuit boards go bad overtime as they will protect against surges, even when there are no storms. The little surges tend to eat away at the circuit boards until they are no good and won’t protect anymore. It was really nice that you had a surge protector that actually told you that it needed to be replaced. Most people don’t get that and they think they’re protected when they’re really not.
My only guess is that that circuit board was on its last leg when you finally unplugged it last season and after a long winters rest, it decided to take a permanent vacation.
It’s a bummer the unit that you had doesn’t allow you to replace just the circuit board itself. I believe the Progressive industries one did. I decided to go with the power watchdog because of the wireless capabilities as well as the ability to replace that circuit board without having to replace the entire unit.
But as others will tell you, it is preference whether you go hard wired or external. I personally don’t wanna have to worry about somebody stealing my surge protector or having to protect it from the weather on a regular basis. I would much rather just hardwire it directly into my camper and just plug my camper into the pedestal. But you do you. No one way is better than the other.
Hope that helps.

 

[DES-1]

Better units have replaceable surge boards but if it's in a bad spot to work on it could be a real pain. You have to remove the unit even if you go with a post unit, so effort is about a wash. Ours is mounted internal as well and in a very tight spot - if it ever needs replacement I will regret it. Now that I have several years of experience, I'd go post because the chances of theft are very small and the loss is no biggie compared to overall trailer operational costs. Plus the newer ones have a phone app.

 

[NMWildcat]

Third option, take out the failed ems and don't replace it with portable or hardwired. That would be my choice, unpopular as it seems to be on this forum

 

[glen1971]

I like the hardwired one, as it won't be stolen, and is one less thing for me to forget while packing up.

 

[llr2800]

I like hardwired. One less thing to setup and takedown each time and possibly forget. Yes not an easy location to service, but should not be a regular issue. I would only do hardwired if it has a remote panel, my progressive does.
I bought it after we had an open ground issue and my dog got shocked. Although I am not sure it would have helped in the case as it was upstream and may have had enough leakage to ground with several units

 

[RobbieH]

I've had both. I prefer portable. I had a 50a Progressive fail on me and they quickly sent me a new one. No muss, no fuss. And it would be very hard for me to forget it unless I am forgetting to disconnect my power from shore power and try to drive off with the trailer still plugged in since I start by disconnecting the EMS and I store it with the cord still connected to it.

 

[DeadSalmon]

unless I am forgetting to disconnect my power from shore power and try to drive off with the trailer still plugged in

No one has EVER done that, right? After 25 some odd years of pulling trailers I did this last year. I was in too much of a hurry. Two adages from the KYD community: "Slow is Pro" and "GOAL: Get Out and Look!" Both have saved me much. The Slow is Pro reminds me of something my father always said: "If you don't have the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it again?"

 

[ejl923]

have a progressive pedestal mount that has been great. It all comes down to if you worry about theft or not. I haven't been in a place to worry about theft, but it does have a locking ring and i have a cable for it if needed. i suppose it only takes one bad actor till i wish i either locked or got a hardwired. I like being able to see the info right there when i plug it in to see if there are any errors.

 

[DeadSalmon]

Thank you all for your opinions and personal experiences. This was super close with four votes leaning post mount and three leaning hardwired. (and one response who prefers to go buck naked.)

I very much like the idea of the replaceable boards in the Power Watchdog series--the Southwire units do not have this. But the Southwire units do have optional displays that are wall mounted for quick glances at the status without needing to have your phone and an app. It is that very display that alerted me to the problem here...

In this specific case, we need to get the unit replaced post haste since we are leaving on a trip soon. Given the stock at my local Camping World (and delivery dates on Amazon) I think I will grab the post-mount Southwire and update my display to their bluetooth model. I will have the same functionality as I have now with the added benefit of being able to plug the RV directly into my (cleaner-than-an-RV-park's) home power if something were to fail on the surge protector. At least that way I can prep the rig while waiting for any future replacements. The way it is I have no power in the unit at all...

We'll see what I end up with when I'm at the store looking at the options...

 

[SLU2]

I have a 2019 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2512. When I purchased it (new) I installed a Southwire 35530 which is their hardwired unit. I also have the auxiliary remote display unit so I can monitor the system. The unit itself is mounted behind the power distribution box.

The surge protector is no longer working. It runs through its delay but then does not engage the contactor. The remote display shows 120V and 0A, then “Replace Surge”. Southwire says this means the surge protection circuit has failed and the unit needs to be replaced.

I am seeking opinions: Should I replace this with the same unit? Or should I look at the pedestal version instead.

Normally there would be little need to ever replace these and I’m not sure why this one failed. I do not recall any storms at the end of last season. Nor do I recall not having power as I was prepping the rig for storage. Replacing the built in unit will be a Pain but I will need to at least remove it from the circuit if I go portable. Either was I will be dealing with this failed unit.

Thought I would get some opinions from the group on this.

I have a portable pedestal plug in surge protector with indicator lights. So far, So good...

 

[RobbieH]

No one has EVER done that, right? After 25 some odd years of pulling trailers I did this last year. I was in too much of a hurry. Two adages from the KYD community: "Slow is Pro" and "GOAL: Get Out and Look!" Both have saved me much. The Slow is Pro reminds me of something my father always said: "If you don't have the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it again?"

I'll go ahead and make a fool of myself, I've never driven off with the cord still in, but I have done the normal thing of driving off with the antenna up on my first RV (second one had an alarm for it!) as many have. But here's the foolish part, I think it was our second trip in our first RV, we left our campground and were going down a back road really slowly (thankfully) and went by some kids on bikes. They gave me a REALLY funny look, and I though it was strange so I stopped. My awning was still out! HAHA!

Many years later and I have a standard procedure I follow when I arrive and when I leave.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I have always preferred the portable or plug in EMS or Surge Protection systems. If it should fault, at least it will be easy to bypass. Simply unplug the EMS or Surge Protector and plug in your RV power cable.

With a built in or permanent system, I have seen those fail and there is no way to bypass them other than hard wire around them. Usually this is not easy and many won't understand how to accomplish this. Yes, I know there is supposed to be a bypass mode, but I have seen those fail as well. One ends up with no power.

Bob

 

[Tlmgcamp]

No one has EVER done that, right? After 25 some odd years of pulling trailers I did this last year. I was in too much of a hurry. Two adages from the KYD community: "Slow is Pro" and "GOAL: Get Out and Look!" Both have saved me much. The Slow is Pro reminds me of something my father always said: "If you don't have the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it again?"

Love that last line!!

 

[sailorsam20500]

I have a 2019 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2512. When I purchased it (new) I installed a Southwire 35530 which is their hardwired unit. I also have the auxiliary remote display unit so I can monitor the system. The unit itself is mounted behind the power distribution box.

The surge protector is no longer working. It runs through its delay but then does not engage the contactor. The remote display shows 120V and 0A, then “Replace Surge”. Southwire says this means the surge protection circuit has failed and the unit needs to be replaced.

I am seeking opinions: Should I replace this with the same unit? Or should I look at the pedestal version instead.

Normally there would be little need to ever replace these and I’m not sure why this one failed. I do not recall any storms at the end of last season. Nor do I recall not having power as I was prepping the rig for storage.

The MOV, metal oxide varistor degrades every time it absorbs a surge. Commonly, the MOV in a surge suppressor is designed to activate at a voltage 10-15% above the expected standard voltage - which for this case will be about 140 volts. Small surges just over 140 are fairly common, being caused commonly by motor startup and shut down, ie. air conditioners for example.. One report I've seen said that an average home will be subjected to 8-20 surges per day.
Each surge degrades the suppressor until its remaining capability reaches a level determined by the manufacturer and is then reports itself as failed.

 

[JimM2109S]

I use a portable WatchDog 30a EMS. If we forget to manage the power draw between microwave, A/C, electric water heater, toaster and/or Keurig and draw more than 30a, the WatchDog will cut the power before the pedestal circuit breaker trips. I can easily restart the WatchDog using the app - I've had to do so maybe 3 times since we bought the camper. And if its raining, I don't have to go outside to flip a breaker. I don't know if the hardwired version has this feature.

 

[tomupnorth]

I'd been thinking "maybe a hardwired product could fit inside my WFCO WF-8735 and then I surf on them and they're oddly massive. Guess I'll do a portable, though I think I'd have preferred one that twist-locks and screws-down to my TT's male connector, instead of the campground's pedestal. Don't see that such is available.

 

[sailorsam20500]

I'd been thinking "maybe a hardwired product could fit inside my WFCO WF-8735 and then I surf on them and they're oddly massive. Guess I'll do a portable, though I think I'd have preferred one that twist-locks and screws-down to my TT's male connector, instead of the campground's pedestal. Don't see that such is available.

How much room is there behind where the WFCO is installed? On my trailer, the power center is under the fridge and there was a huge open space behind it. Plenty of room for the EMS. I disconnected the main power feed from the power center, used it as input to my EMS and got a short piece of appropriate wire to tie back the power center. I have the remote display and routed that to a wall just inside my main door.

 

[tomupnorth]

How much room is there behind where the WFCO is installed?

I didn't think of that! But then the surge protector is buried inside the wall right? Don't think I like that, despite having the remote display.