50 amp surge protectors

Why should a 50A RV have a power protector/EMS? Regardless of the brand. :?

There are many posts on this subject and it's not understood by most RVers.

The bottom line: Unlike 30A a open neutral on 50A can/will supply up to 240V to your 120V appliances. This lets the smoke out. :( The most likely source for this is a worn pedestal or your cord/plug.

If you have a 50A RV then give very serious consideration to the additional protection.

Choose brand x, y or z, but choose.

Price considerations usually are a consideration.

A quick search: Surge 40240 $402, HW 50C $317.

With the same HW 50C for 14 years I'm extremely satisfied with my choice.

Mile High wrote:
Kind of splitting hairs on the chart I guess - I see a couple more things PI does that SG does not, but I see SG handles higher spikes.

The PI has higher spike protection. But this is still being ignored. Does not matter how massive the spike protection if the outgoing path to earth does not exist. If that connect to earth is missing, then the spike is simply connected into RV appliances.

That effective transient number is only useful when the connection from that protector to earth ground is low impedance. That is why protectors attached (locked) to the pole are effective from that anomaly called a surge.

Campground protectors are for surges such as Hi/Lo Voltage Shutdown, Open Neutral, Reverse Polarity, Miswired Pedestal, and Ground Fault. Some compressors do not have and need that Time Delay. Other surges such as Max Spikes are irrelevant if a low impedance connection to earth does not exist. None report a missing or high impedance earth ground connection. Consumer must verify that exists so that the PI and SG can protect from that anomaly called a surge.

Kind of splitting hairs on the chart I guess - I see a couple more things PI does that SG does not, but I see SG handles higher spikes. Ultimately the chart helps justify the testimonials for those that have already spent money one way or the other - so kind of a comfort thing or an "I told you so" :), but really, I don't think this is much more of a technical conversation than the Ford vs Chevy nonsense.

Both have advantages over the other, but both get the job done.

Thanks for posting the link for the chart. I've always been impressed with PI units as I've owned a 30 amp unit for 6 years and recently upgraded to a 50 amp unit when we purchased our MH. From what I see on the chart, PI is the way to go!

I bought my HW50C in 2004 and it WAS significantly better than any TRC/Southwire product. Since then TRC upgraded and compatible units from the two companies are similar.

My HW50C was mounted on a wall in the first MH and now on the ceiling in the current MH. No problems and no difficulty wiring it correctly.

I've never felt the need for just a "surge" protector. A power protector or EMS is essential for me. I wouldn't have a pedestal unit or one without a remote display. There have been just way to many times when the inside display have been convenient or the conditions would change before I could get outside to see a display. The only inside display downside that I see is one has to run the data cable as part of the installation.

Click for a Comparison Chart. To me the chart indicates that the PI units are better for specs and cost. I've had no reason to validate any of the chart information since my HW50C just keeps on ticking so I'll leave that up to others. :B

et2 wrote:
Thank you. We actually have both too. The Surge Guard transfer switch hard wired into our old MH and new one as well. It monitors power surges and low power and miswired shore power.

We still use our Progressive portable we've owned for over 8 years. Plugging it into the shore power and then hook up the rigs 50 amp. Last rig we had a issue with the Surge Guard hard wired unit kept cutting the power at different campgrounds more than once. My assumption is it wasn't calibrate. Had it checked numerous times. All the while the Progressive at the post never shut down.

The hard wired Surge Guard was 3-4 volts high and would trigger if the shore power was running high. We checked the post with a multimeter and it was always different than what the hard wired Surge Guard transfer switch showed. I've heard other people also have had the same issue with the hard wired Surge Guard.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Sharing information can never hurt anyone.

That's interesting. I actually replaced my Surge Guard transfer switch/surge with a higher end 40350-RVC last year because the factory 41260 was only "limited" protection. The new one reads inside and I compare it to the EMS and if I remember they are consistent.

Both Surge Guard and the Progressive Industries have worked fine for us except for those annoyances I pointed out earlier about the Progressive Industries. Specification wise, there is probably no advantage to one or the other if comparing similar models, so I guess your experience supports my point actually. Chevy or Ford, they both do the job, but different folks have different experiences. A person has to be aware what's available, research a bit, then decide. Testimonials are probably the least reliable information.

Mile High wrote:
Please don't confuse me with somebody that cares what you buy - because I don't.

Anyone can match your insults with insults. When you are ready, please do what adults do. Post facts with numbers that justify a Southwire recommendation. An emotional attachment to a Southwire contributes nothing useful.

Last post was only subjective - said nothing useful. No hard facts justified that recommendation. Not even listed are which functions exist in a loveableproduct.

Please post something useful starting with which anomalies are averted by a Southwire - with numbers. Which specifications are relevant? What are functions listed in an honest recommendation?

Thank you. We actually have both too. The Surge Guard transfer switch hard wired into our old MH and new one as well. It monitors power surges and low power and miswired shore power.

We still use our Progressive portable we've owned for over 8 years. Plugging it into the shore power and then hook up the rigs 50 amp. Last rig we had a issue with the Surge Guard hard wired unit kept cutting the power at different campgrounds more than once. My assumption is it wasn't calibrate. Had it checked numerous times. All the while the Progressive at the post never shut down.

The hard wired Surge Guard was 3-4 volts high and would trigger if the shore power was running high. We checked the post with a multimeter and it was always different than what the hard wired Surge Guard transfer switch showed. I've heard other people also have had the same issue with the hard wired Surge Guard.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Sharing information can never hurt anyone.

I have installed both, as I mentioned in my original post. I was trying not to be critical of PI, or throw my testimonial out there to be chewed up because everyone has a testimonial, usually one that supports their expenditure more than anything else.

But you asked, -

• Surge Guard has a larger, more complete line than Progressive Industries, including power conditioners and transfer switch/surge combination units - I see that as a bigger depth and maybe a bigger history than Progessive Industries.
• Surge Guard is used as factory equipment in many higher end MHs, whereas I see Progressive Industries only as aftermarket.
• The Surge Guard unit has a lot more room to work inside than the Progressive Industries
• The sensor rings are built in on the Surge Guard, on Progressive Industries you have to try to thread your conductors through them in that tight space
• My instructions for Progressive Industries were printed showing the rough in upside down causing me to have to remove and start over - when I mentioned it to customer service on another issue, she actually laughed and said "ya they know"
• Through several issues with the LCD readout card falling out on my Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C because the socket is upside down, the card actually shorted out. Customer service was unsympathetic and I actually had to buy a new LCD card. Ultimately I wire tied it in to make it stay in the sockety
• Southwire Customer Service has been excellent in my opinion both on the phone and with owners at the rallies

That is my basis for thinking Southwire is better - others may have varying results. My main point is beware there are others out there besides Progressive Industries :)