Surge Protector or Power Monitor

The ones I have used are continually monitoring the incoming power and will cut power if it is outside of acceptable range. I also used an Autoformer to boost the voltage if it is low.

I was going to buy a surge protector but on amazon they were $164 two weeks ago and last night I see they are now $234. I changed my mind.

We have a plug-in surge guard in addition to our on-board EMS system. As said above, the surge guard also checks for open ground and monitors for low voltage.

RVers might use these more often than boaters because we probably have more/different equipment on our RVs than would normally be on a boat- air conditioners, residential fridges, a computer or two, flat screen TVs, microwaves and the like.

"chuckbear".....You'll probably get a wide variety of answers. Here's my take. Getting a surge protection unit, such as a Surge Guard or Progressive Industries model gives you 24/7 protection, primarily from low voltage, as stated above, but they will also tell you if the pedestal is working correctly.

To me, having just a monitor is not of much value unless you intend to stand in front of it your entire trip and watch what the voltage is doing. I do have a small plug in analog monitor that I leave installed in an outlet that is visible from where I typically sit in the evenings. If I think something is going on, I'll look at the monitor. I can also look at it during the heat of the day when my AC's are running to see if the campground power is robust.

Do all RV's need them....it depends on what you have and how you use it. Many may have an older RV with just a TV, microwave and AC unit that may need protection and don't see the need to spend the money on a surge protection unit. Both my daughters have travel trailers and fall into this category.

I think the surge protection units are more suited to larger RV's that have a lot of systems with a variety of electronics that need protection.

I have used both Surge Guard energy management system and a competing product from progressive industries. I like both. The most common problem you will see is low voltage. Other common problems are miswired plug e.g. open ground, reversed hot and neutral etc.

I have a cord end surge protector that also monitors for low/high voltage open ground and other such potential problems. I have also installed analog meters to measure voltage levels and current coach current consumption.

I have experienced low voltage in the heat of summer that could have effected the conditioner motors, missing legs of two phase power, what should have been two phase power wasn't. The power failures have been relatively rare considering the 102 times I have plugged the coach in somewhere away from home. Call it insurance, reducing hazards, labor of love or just something to lighten the wallet on.

How did you work around 220 VAC 50 Hz power over seas?