Surge Protector Yes Or No?

diazr2 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
IMHO: Surge Protectors are just cheap insurance. Three times in the past couple of years have found defective pedestals. I have no idea how many times it has saved me from expensive damage due to power surges/spikes. My neighbor's house took a lightning strike and the surge protector saved him tens of thousands in damage. I also carry fire extinguishers even though I don't plan on having a fire. :C

So do I but I know the fire extinguishers work. I also know when there is a fire. That's too easy, but I can't see bad electricity loads and even if I see them I hear so many stories where the surge protector did no good. If it were only as easy as spotting a fire and grabbing the extinguisher I would already have one.

First of all you don't "know" that your fire extinguisher will work. Unless you have it recharged on an annual or semi annual basis and very few folks bother. These are the same folks that have probably never used one and doing it badly will only make a fire a lot worse. It is a good idea to practice, a large campfire that you are through with works well here. After you have practiced (sweep back and forth at the base of the flames), take the extinguisher in and have it recharged/recertified. This is required by law on boats and if it isn't in RV's it should be.

The fact that you cannot "see" bad electricity is a reason to get (not avoid), a surge protector. Not sure where you are hearing about surge protectors not working, that is news to me. The commercial model installed on my house came with a $10,000 no damage guaranty, the point being the technology is simple and effective. Not only do they protect against surges (hence the name), they will tell you if there is clean safe current at the pedestal before you plug in your rig.

Buy one or don't, it matters not to me but they will do you no harm, aren't all that expensive and might just save you big $$$. As always.... Opinions and YMMV. :C