Hello all. Recently bought a DP and am curious to know about surge protectors. I have RV'D for the past 40 years with everything from a cab over, a class C to several 5th wheels. In all those years, I never had a surge protector. I'm reading posts from several people that have had issues with these devices.My question(s) are thus:Are surge issues commonplace? Is it REALLY necessary to have one? Are RV park spikes that frequent or is this just a sales pitch to spend $300+?If it is an issue, is a portable or hardwired unit better that the other?Thank you for any response. All the best!

A RV surge protector is kind of like wearing underwear. Do you REALLY NEED underwear? Actually ... no. No one can see what's "under" your top layer of clothing anyway. BUT.... It sure does feel more comfortable.Same with a Surge Protector. Do you REALLY need it? well, probably not. But to have that "comfort feeling" you have a little better protection than nothing at all ... well... that's your choice. Boxers or shorts?

DutchmenSport wrote:A RV surge protector is kind of like wearing underwear. Do you REALLY NEED underwear? Actually ... no. No one can see what's "under" your top layer of clothing anyway. BUT.... It sure does feel more comfortable.Same with a Surge Protector. Do you REALLY need it? well, probably not. But to have that "comfort feeling" you have a little better protection than nothing at all ... well... that's your choice. Boxers or shorts?Clearest explanation in the history of the internet! You win.Jim

mammothsteve wrote:Hello all. Recently bought a DP and am curious to know about surge protectors. I have RV'D for the past 40 years with everything from a cab over, a class C to several 5th wheels. In all those years, I never had a surge protector. I'm reading posts from several people that have had issues with these devices.My question(s) are thus:Are surge issues commonplace? Is it REALLY necessary to have one? Are RV park spikes that frequent or is this just a sales pitch to spend $300+?If it is an issue, is a portable or hardwired unit better that the other?Thank you for any response. All the best!the park we're currently in strongly recommends the use of a surge protector. and on the same posted notice offers to sell one to those who might want one. in 30-years we've had only one electrical issue that I can recall and that was solved by moving to another site. yet when it came time to trade-in our 2000 model yr MH for a 2016 model one of the upgrades I wanted was a progressive surge protector. I doubt we'll ever need it but then I doubt our home will ever burn down and I would not be without my homeowner's insurance.we went with the hardwired unit and mounted the remote monitor panel inside the coach. I wanted the hardwired unit so I didn't have to mess around padlocking it to the electrical post. as my grandpa would say...if you don't want it to walk away put a lock on it.

"Surge" means virtually anything including as you suggested "spikes". In 2004 I looked at about $3,000 of electronics and for the first time bought a "power protector" also know as a EMS unit. It protects against "spikes", high/low voltage, reverse polarity etc.So I installed a PI HW50C and have been protected against numerous CG faults. In my current rig the HW50C was free as in $0 - Yup I moved it from the last rig.Unlike your house CG power especially at the pedestal is often worn and abused. And the entire distribution system may be suspect - Yup I had one occurrence of 160V on a 30A pedestal. It's like insurance - your choice.

Living in Ohio and having a certain number of thunderstorms and our home has three layers of protection for surges. We have had neighbors who have lost expensive electronics.Camping trips where there have been thunderstorms I pull the plug from the pedestal, but what happens when we are out and about and a storm comes up. This is apart from faulty pedestal wiring, open neutral... I have observed burned plugs in pedestals. Our progressive Industries will not connect if the wiring in the pedestal is not functioning correctly, lets me monitor voltage amps and frequency.

surge protectors | Good Sam Community

TucsonJim
Explorer II
Apr 14, 2016
DutchmenSport wrote:
A RV surge protector is kind of like wearing underwear. Do you REALLY NEED underwear? Actually ... no. No one can see what's "under" your top layer of clothing anyway. BUT.... It sure does feel more comfortable.

Same with a Surge Protector. Do you REALLY need it? well, probably not. But to have that "comfort feeling" you have a little better protection than nothing at all ... well... that's your choice.

Boxers or shorts?

Clearest explanation in the history of the internet! You win.

Jim
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Apr 14, 2016
A RV surge protector is kind of like wearing underwear. Do you REALLY NEED underwear? Actually ... no. No one can see what's "under" your top layer of clothing anyway. BUT.... It sure does feel more comfortable.

Same with a Surge Protector. Do you REALLY need it? well, probably not. But to have that "comfort feeling" you have a little better protection than nothing at all ... well... that's your choice.

Boxers or shorts?

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