Surge Guard - Need Vs. Cost

obiwancanoli wrote:
Having read posts on the advisability of having a 50A Surge Guard for my MH, Amazon has a variety ranging in price from around $90 to $400 +/-...

Lacking sufficient knowledge to make an informed decision, What exactly am I paying for when comparing similar items with a huge distance between low cost/high cost? What features make the more expensive models a better choice?

Somewhere around the time that your coach was built, by Newmar, they started offering combination transfer switch/surge guard units, made by SurgeGuard.

You need to look in your power bay and see if you have a straight transfer switch or combo unit. The combo unit made by SurgeGuard is actually a pretty good model. I have it in my coach. It protects against all the things the other quality unit, Progressive Industries does. The only drawback is that if there is an electrical spike and the SurgeGaurd takes a hit, you lose the SurgeGuard and the transfer switch. For that reason, I and others with this system, bought a $100.00 SurgeGurd portable unit that plugs in at the pedestal. If I take an electrical hit, only the $100 unit is lost.

If you don't have the combo unit, Progressive Industries makes a quality unit that protects from high and low voltage. In your coach, you have a lot of systems that can be damaged by both low and high voltage. If you're at a campground, running your air conditioning, the units can be damaged if the voltage drops below 100 volts. Both units described above, will shut down the power to your coach and protect the appliances.

If you have a trailer with a single A/C unit and a microwave, you probably don't need a high end surge protector. In your situation, it's worth the investment. They come in portable and hardwired. I prefer hardwired as it's one less thing to do and you don't have to worry about theft.

The better ones are called electeic managment systems ( ems) and protect aginst low voltage and surges. I here more problums with low voltage rather then surges. Are they worth it? For me yes, as i dont want to replace an ac unit or fridge. Its not the money more then the time spent to do the atual work.

I use the - Hughes Autoformer

It does low voltage and has built in surge protection.

ps... I didn't pay that much format either.... stop around, they can be had for mid $300's or a bit higher

I was going to order from this place but forgot all about it after I ordered from Amazon. I ended up with the hard wire version. This one in the link is the portable style. I was going to put a connection in the compartment to keep it safe.

Watchdog 50A surge protector $250 w/free shipping

lryrob9301 wrote:
Surge protector

This unit contains all the necessary items for protection against electrical problems

No it doesn't do low voltage disconnect.

capacitor wrote:
What about low voltage, do these surge protectors work for that also?

the decent ones do. the $90 wonders are cr@p.
bumpy

What about low voltage, do these surge protectors work for that also?

Get the 50 amp Progressive portable model. If you change coaches you can take it with you. Mine is on a third coach

grldst wrote:
A lot of motorhomes, especially the top end models, already have surge guards built into their transfer switches. My Monaco's had built in surge guards.

Yes and Tiffins also. THEY DON'T DO THE JOB! I have NEVER seen a Combo 50 amp Transfer/Surge guard protect the 120 interior appliances. You are not going to get $500 Surge Guard protection in a $300 Combo Transfer/Surge box. I replaced lots of the Combo/Surge guards in addition to repair or replace the 120 appliances that got zapped when the Transfer also got zapped. Doug

A lot of motorhomes, especially the top end models, already have surge guards built into their transfer switches. My Monaco's had built in surge guards.