Surge protectors

Not needed at all. UNTIL your fridge gets blown out and the transfer switch gets damaged due to a nearby lightning strike. A new fridge cost me $1400 and the tech who "saved" my transfer switch charged me another $186. And this is ONCE after 25+ years of camping. (Never "needed" it before)

THEN.....reading up here on this forum, I decided to go with the Progressive Industries PORTABLE 50 amp unit. From Tweeteys' on the net. At the time, maybe $325. A bit more on the Progressive site. Now...everytime I set up, it's part of the setting up. And, altho here, you might read that portable units are victims of theft, I really find theft is not an issue. It's always "happened to someone else" or "a friend of mine". Never to them that write about it. So...you have a choice. Hard wired in or portable. I like Progressive...a LIFETIME warranty and they respond to your e-mails of any concern. And you can "step down" from 50 to 30 to 110 with adapters if needed. Works fine.

pianotuna wrote:

A surge protect autoformer may be a better choice, since you wish to part with your hard earned dollars.

A tad bit snarky, Don, but, yes, get yourself an auto former.

Hi,

If it is a 50 amp service, it is a good idea to have something to check the pedestal before plugging in.

Low voltage causes far more damage than surge does. A surge protect autoformer may be a better choice, since you wish to part with your hard earned dollars.

You have a brand new Coach with expensive electronics and will be plugging into 'unknown' power sources.......

Necessary........NO

But a good investment to help protect YOUR expensive items.........YES!!!

Progressive Industries
Hard wired with remote display (EMS-HW50C shop around $350/400)
LIFETIME WARRANTY and the company actually backs up that warranty

Other Brands/models are out there BUT they only have a 1 year warranty. And pricing is about the same :S

Best thing I ever bought IMHO. Last summer alone it disconnected the RV several times for low voltage, high voltage, and a couple of times gave me a bad pedestal wiring message before I plugged in the RV. Wouldn't leave home without it.

Dave

Not NECESSARY, but a really, really, really good idea. Just be sure you get something with more than simple surge suppression. The better models have Hi/Lo Voltage, Open Neutral/Ground and Reverse Polarity protection, which in my experience is the bigger threat to your MOHO. I have been pleased with the Progressive Industries Model EMS-HW50, but there are other manufacturers and models out there. Good luck.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

IMHO-Some of the best insurance I ever purchased. You never know when you may encounter a power spike and today's electronics DO NOT like such things. Also, most units show you the voltage on each leg which is good information to have. I have a portable unit, but will probably get an internal unit installed this spring.

Someone may ask the same question who has never had an automobile accident: "Do I really need seat belts?" The answer is: Up until RIGHT NOW you did not need seatbelts. But a minute from now that may all be different!

You can get away without a surge protector, but the ONE time you do need it, it's more than well worth it. Replacement of the electronic components in your RV will cost a lot more than the price of a surge protector!