I was just reading through the installation manual for the surge suppressor I'm going to have put on my new gasser and found that it can be wired in before the transfer switch or after so that it protects for both benny and shore power.Is there any downside to the latter? protection after the transfer switch seems to be wise, but since I have no experience with coaches with a benny, I may be missing something.

Hi,It would be best to put it before the transfer switch.The generator is a known power source and can be monitored for voltage when in use. It is unlikely that there would be a surge from the genny.

Plus putting it before the transfer switch protects that box from shore power issues.

cKarlGo wrote: I have no experience with coaches with a benny, I may be missing something.Is that a genny?

Also if you put it after the transfer switch you have to wait through two delays. I don't do patient.

Install after the transfer switch. Plenty of posts of a transfer switch bad neutral causing the over voltage issues. Also the transfer switch itself is fairly tolerant of over voltage and surges. Plenty of posts where the generator voltage regulator has issues.

Surge suppressor: before or after the transfer switch

bluwtr49
Explorer II
May 20, 2014
I went after the ATS. No reason not to and if a problem developed from the gen set to the ATS there would be protection. ATS are cheap and not to be worried about.

Since I did have an issue and it cost 10K I may be a bit paranoid.
SCVJeff
Explorer
May 20, 2014
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

So get two surge suppressors, for before and after the ats *grin*. I don't want one myself--but if you have a 50 amp service it is a good idea.
thats 4... :)
cKarlGo
Explorer
May 20, 2014
Thanks to everyone for the input.

I've decided to go with the combo transfer switch/surge suppressor (pending approval by Winnebago). That way, the coach is fully protected and I also eliminate one extra part.

If all goes well, I'll be picking up the new coach on Saturday morning.
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 20, 2014
Hi,

So get two surge suppressors, for before and after the ats *grin*. I don't want one myself--but if you have a 50 amp service it is a good idea.
SCVJeff
Explorer
May 20, 2014
Bobbo wrote:
Z71 4x4 wrote:
wa8yxm wrote:
Personally I trust my generator...

x2

Modern generators have built in safety protection.
Surge suppressor first, then ATS.

But anything made by man can fail. I vote for after the transfer switch. I'd rather risk the transfer switch to bad power from shore and generator than risk everything else in the MH to bad power from the generator.
Yep, that was the point I was trying to make. I've seen more problematic generators in TV news trucks with WAY more hours on them than most RV's come close to. Ours run 5-8hrs/ day often 7 days a week. 10k hrs isn't unusual.. They fail enough that we back up the electronics with UPS, and we never run on shore power. YMMV
Bobbo
Explorer II
May 20, 2014
Z71 4x4 wrote:
wa8yxm wrote:
Personally I trust my generator...

x2

Modern generators have built in safety protection.
Surge suppressor first, then ATS.

But anything made by man can fail. I vote for after the transfer switch. I'd rather risk the transfer switch to bad power from shore and generator than risk everything else in the MH to bad power from the generator.
chuckftboy
Explorer
May 20, 2014
Mine is factory installed and the transfer switch is part of Surge Guard. It protects both the line voltage and the generator power. No sence replacing an appliance if there is a wiring problem anywhere.
fcooper
Explorer
May 20, 2014
I'm in the "put it after the transfer switch" camp. Mine has been there for many years. Compared to a lot of other items, that transfer switch is cheap to replace.

Fred
Z71_4x4
Explorer
May 19, 2014
wa8yxm wrote:
Personally I trust my generator...

x2

Modern generators have built in safety protection.
Surge suppressor first, then ATS.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
May 19, 2014
Since your transfer switch is powered by the incoming voltage, if there is a problem with the incoming power, it could destroy your transfer switch. Replacing the transfer switch is less expensive than replacing a lot of other components but it does leave you dead in the water until it is fixed.

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Surge suppressor: before or after the transfer switch

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