SJ-Chris wrote:
*** Power Surge Protection ***
I hear a lot of people who encourage buying/using a surge protector when plugged in at campgrounds. Cost ~$200. I suspect that most people do NOT have/use surge protectors, but that is just based on my observations.
What I hardly ever hear is people talking about damage to their electrical system due to an electrical surge. So it makes me wonder if it is really a big issue or not.
Is there a single Former Rental unit Owner out there who, without using a surge protector, has had a power surge that damaged their RV's electrical system/components?
Honestly, I don't even mind buying one and using one for myself. BUT, I often times let others (family/etc) use my Majestics and I know they will either forget to use it, or lose it, etc.
Thoughts?
-Chris
Well I'll tell ya... I have the same thoughts... that said I own one, that also said... I rarely use it. I have a degree in electronics and semi-skilled in electrical and I need to put it out that the devices we are talking about are power monitors that depending on model protect or inform about many things. Surge protection is only one on the list yet the name for them has become generic sorta like Kleenex for facial tissue. Surges are really not that big of a problem out there... it happens but other things are very common. I suppose areas that are prone to electrical storms may be an exception... anyway, the most common things run along the lines of miswired or faulty systems. Open neutral, reversed hot and neutral, bad ground... to a lesser extent over and under-voltage. I carry a simple cheap circuit tester that via 3 indicator lamp combination tests for the common miswired outlets... that is what I find most often and worry about the most. But here's the thing... my ol former Camping World rental is nice but basic, no inverter, no fancy jacks or control centers... If I had one of these new fancy push button rigs out there, I'd probably want and use protection. Final thought is that I don't think power monitors are used all that much... like most things you only hear of the ones that do, and mostly of those it is the ones the power monitor saved the day. With out fail the usual response to your type question is, you gonna die without one... And I won't argue that! But yeah... beyond my simple el cheapo test for proper wiring... I probably will still rarely use my fancy one.
