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r2pipes's avatar
r2pipes
Explorer
Nov 27, 2016

Surge Supressors

Just picked up a new Jayco 321 Fifth wheel. Since most manufacturers do include any type of surge suppression, I have always purchased a post type suppressor just for the added protection. I am now looking at a Progressive Industries HW-50 that will provide surge protection as well as additional filtering of the incoming electric. This "better" system will provide surge protection as well as current deviation protection. I am questioning if this really needed or is it over kill. I can see surges in the line but is a drop or deviation in current common enough to justify the cost of a suppressor like the HW-50, about $300. Anyone had any experience with this..
  • Loss of neutral on 50 amp service will fry most of your electrical items. I installed the hardwired one with the remote, top right.

  • r2pipes wrote:
    I am questioning if this really needed or is it over kill. I can see surges in the line but is a drop or deviation in current common enough to justify the cost of a suppressor like the HW-50, about $300. Anyone had any experience with this..


    yes, don't cheap out on protection.
    bumpy
  • We had an Open Neutral in our cord and it did extensive damage to the trailer.

    We had a Surge Guard on the post, however since the problem was after the SG it did nothing to help. Had we had the HW-50 we would not have had an issue. We now have a HW-50 and love it. So yes a hard wired system is worth it.
  • I bought mine 11 years ago. Paid over 400 then.
    My neighbor had a lot of damage when the campground had an underground fault.
    High voltage can fry a lot of stuff.
  • I have had a progressive industries unit in all my trailers except the tent trailer. You can search for threads and I believe you will see both sides of the needed/not needed fence on here. Is it cheap..no, will it potentially save you a lot of money...yes

    I believe the high/low voltage protection has been a real benefit to me as we have had unexpected issues in campgrounds where it was very unexpected. Not needing to fix/replace our fridge/micro/AC/Tv's stereo etc is hard to quantify The damage done may be cumulative or fry it the first time you get bad voltage or an improperly wired post. Truly this is insurance and the choice is yours whether insuring your electronics is worth it to you.

    I am a happy customer

    Daryll
  • I have the portable PI 50A version since 2007
    It tests power on both lines, tests neutral, tests ground, has Hi/LO voltage trips etc etc

    Got it because we had a new RV and were hitting the road FT and would be using numerous unknown power sources.

    Over the years it has detected
    Loss on neutral, loss of ground, reverse polarity, has dropped connection due to low voltage on several occasions, a mis-wired pedestal

    Was it worth the cost?
    Kinda like Insurance......only when it was needed. And to late AFTERWARDS.
    Unlike insurance which costs every year it is a one time cost
    PI has LIFETIME warranty and stands behind it (TRC---limited 1 yr and so-so response)

    Worth it.....only need ONE messed up power pedestal source and could costs 100's or 1000's