Portable or hardwire surge protector.

TyroneandGladys wrote:

Jpatrickc wrote:
It looks like the Universal Lock is made of plastic. Can someone that has one comment on how strong the plastic is? It seems like a set of cutters could snip off the lock tab.
I guess it might keep a casual thief out.

Have one and do not use it. The plastic can be broken with a hammer but the big reason I do not use it is if someone wants it I do not want them unplugging it and then cutting my power cord.
I am lucky that my cord goes into a compartment. So leave the surge unit in the compartment, out of site and run an extension cord to the pedestal.

I take it that the quotes were misplaced?
bumpy

Jpatrickc wrote:
It looks like the Universal Lock is made of plastic. Can someone that has one comment on how strong the plastic is? It seems like a set of cutters could snip off the lock tab.
I guess it might keep a casual thief out.

Have one and do not use it. The plastic can be broken with a hammer but the big reason I do not use it is if someone wants it I do not want them unplugging it and then cutting my power cord.
I am lucky that my cord goes into a compartment. So leave the surge unit in the compartment, out of site and run an extension cord to the pedestal.

Thanks. I ended up with hard wire.

I've had both hard wired and portable. When I sold my camper, the hard wired went with it. I had to remove the stove to get at it and just couldn't be bothered to remove it. Next one was portable. I can see the digital l e d read-out through the window in the slide so that's not an issue. I also have a summer place with a park model so I take it there for the summer and then use it on my 5th wheel in the winter in AZ. Works great for me.

ddschuman wrote:
We are trying to decide between portable and hard wired for our new fifth wheel that we take delivery of later this month. We currently have the hardwired version on our Chaparral that we are trading in. We had it installed a couple of years ago. Looking back, I somewhat wish that we would have purchased a portable one so we wouldn't have to purchase again but at the time, we had no intention of trading so soon. I can honestly say though, we have enjoyed not having to worry about it. I am considering calling the dealership and having them install prior to taking delivery. Dang, I just hate having to buy it again.

Good Idea. Get the dealer to remove it as part of the deal. If they sell your same model possibly get them to install one for free if you buy it? Somehow work a compromise reinstall or purchase/install into the deal.

ddschuman wrote:
We are trying to decide between portable and hard wired for our new fifth wheel that we take delivery of later this month. We currently have the hardwired version on our Chaparral that we are trading in. We had it installed a couple of years ago. Looking back, I somewhat wish that we would have purchased a portable one so we wouldn't have to purchase again but at the time, we had no intention of trading so soon. I can honestly say though, we have enjoyed not having to worry about it. I am considering calling the dealership and having them install prior to taking delivery. Dang, I just hate having to buy it again.

can't you just remove the old one from your trade in and move it to the new RV. just 3 wires. that is why I recommend buying a short length of appropriate wire when first installing a permanent one to avoid cutting the original shore cord.
bumpy

We are trying to decide between portable and hard wired for our new fifth wheel that we take delivery of later this month. We currently have the hardwired version on our Chaparral that we are trading in. We had it installed a couple of years ago. Looking back, I somewhat wish that we would have purchased a portable one so we wouldn't have to purchase again but at the time, we had no intention of trading so soon. I can honestly say though, we have enjoyed not having to worry about it. I am considering calling the dealership and having them install prior to taking delivery. Dang, I just hate having to buy it again.

Bumpyroad & rockhillmanor, you've both made your points. Time to move on.

Thanks,

Steve

Mine is a Surge Guard 34520
No bypass and work just great. Hard wire.
Can have a digital read out if needed.
China made, but I got on Ebay used

rockhillmanor wrote:
My statement was from experience. One that others may not have the privy to, to compare.

Huge power surge accident at a sporting event in CG in Gray Summit, MO

EVERYONE parked in that CG that 'had' a surge protector, from 500 dollar hard wired, to 100 dollar plug in etc. ALL were protected from damage. Those that had 'nothing' had serious damage to their RV's.

And before you ask, We all belonged to the same club so, yes, we all asked each other what we were using or not and who experienced damage. :W

Exact or not they all worked and protected the coaches. Just saying you don't 'need' to have a high priced protector to keep your coach from sustaining damage. And to tell a new comer to RV'ing that you do is IMHO JMHO misguiding. And we can agree to not agree.

I want to be protected against low voltage/ high voltage/ restart delay after shut down to protect AC motor/compressor, and a dozen other attributes, In addition to surge protection. a $90 special will not do that. which is why I always recommend buying a multi-function surge protector, which you can not do for $100.
bumpy