Surge Guard self install

rwbradley wrote:
I have been shopping around for a 30A Surge Guard for my TT, and am torn between a portable one and a hard wired one. I like the portable, because it is simple and any idiot (like Me) can use it. However I have concerns about having a $400 piece of electronics sitting outside exposed to theft and the elements. The hard wired ones seem to be a little cheaper, and it appeals to me to have it permanently installed and secured. The question is: how hard are they to install for a reasonably handy non-electrician?
Thanks

The short answer is that a permanent installation does require skill and knowledge... Its not really that complex but the installation of a permanent surge-guard will require one to insert it in the wiring. Either before or after the transfer switch. The wire are necessarily very heavy gauge and not friendly to work with and physical position may require fabrication of some of the wiring.

My choice of having a permanent installation is because I wanted to insert the surgeguard after the transfer switch so all voltage entering the coach is monitored and protected... This installation does expose the transfer switch, but the components of a transfer switch are easy to swap out and relatively inexpensive as is an entire transfer switch. I carry spare components...But have never had occasion to need them.

The portable unit will offer protection for the transfer switch but not for the generator feed... From what I have seen this is the most popular choice.

JohnnyT