surge protector

I started a similar thread on this forum about a month ago. I purchased a Surge Guard on sale from Camping World. I've never used one before so I guess I'm fortunate that I've encountered no electrical damage in all those years. There had been times, however, when I was in or near my RV and turned off the main breaker during a T-storm as a protection. A bit of a pain and only worked if I was nearby.

Well, I finally figured it made sense to get a surge protector. Even though it cost $$$ I didn't want to be "penny wise and pound foolish". Now I don't have to be as concerned when T-storms pop up. Really gives peace of mind, IMHO. :C

KATOOM wrote:
I have to ask the most obvious question.....so no one get all emotional in response.

If surge protectors are a MUST HAVE ITEM then "why" aren't they original equipment components of the RV/trailer from the factory? I can understand why a low budget 20amp trailer wouldn't have one but most of these RV/trailers are more expensive than the trucks pulling them. Would installing surge protectors on the assembly line be that big of a problem? If its build costs then the manufacture could simply add the few hundred on the MSRP. Plus if park voltage issues and repairs costs are such as everyone here is describing then you'd think RV insurance companies would require surge protectors. :h

You are correct however it is a behind the scene item that may only be in important once or twice a year. Most RV'ers would have no idea it's even there or understand what it does. The RV industry has little incentive to add the items as it does very little to benefit the manufacture. The damage caused will have no impact on the manufactures bottom line but installing them will certainly effect the industry's bottom line.
I'd be happy if the industry installed decent tires and axles vs. the marginal/inferior stuff they now use current. Surge supressors are really a pipe dream.

I have to ask the most obvious question.....so no one get all emotional in response.

If surge protectors are a MUST HAVE ITEM then "why" aren't they original equipment components of the RV/trailer from the factory? I can understand why a low budget 20amp trailer wouldn't have one but most of these RV/trailers are more expensive than the trucks pulling them. Would installing surge protectors on the assembly line be that big of a problem? If its build costs then the manufacture could simply add the few hundred on the MSRP. Plus if park voltage issues and repairs costs are such as everyone here is describing then you'd think RV insurance companies would require surge protectors. :h

Yep, I would not hook up without it.

I use a Progressive one.

We have the PI Hw50c, it has shut us down one time. I think it paid for itself in that one shut down

We recently stayed in several campgrounds with power problems. One campground had added some sites and had an expensive electrical upgrade. Until we arrived with our PI EMS, the campground owner did not know that there was a problem with an open ground somewhere in the newly revamped electrical. He did know that his motorhome would not let power in but did not realize it was due to his PI EMS. Right after that, we were in a campground that uses generators for power and it also had open grounds. We just dry camped both times, An EMS is a very good thing to have. By the way, we use a tester first before we ever plug in and both problems were found with the tester.

2x reverse polarity, numerous low voltage and 160V on a 30A pedestal. My PI HW50C shut down every time.

I'm retired IT (Systems Integrator) and from experience, I don't run any valuable electronics (sticks and bricks, RV or portable) without power protection whenever connected to line service. Can't say about "having experience" of not being protected and wishing I had been, as I've always had protection, but, I've never been sorry that I had it. Even my tel-co landlines are protected from surges. It would only take one piece of damaged equipment to have paid for the protection to have avoided the damage.

tvman44 wrote:
I have the Progressive Industries EMS and would not want to be without it. :)

+1 EMS-HW50C