Forum Discussion

Chairboygeoff's avatar
Mar 22, 2017

Electrical problem

I went on my first trip this weekend and was told that if i use a game console for kids while travelling, using the generator, i should use a surge protector as the generator power is not consistent.
When i plugged in a surge protector, it got fried so i got a bigger one from my house as i thought maybe the first one was too small, but it also got fried when plugged inside the rv.
However, when i plug in the game console, or anything else, it seems to work ok?!
Why do the surge protectors get fried?
Thanks for any help!

19 Replies

  • I think the generator is an Onan quiet (or something) 4000 that is installed in the Rv.
    RV is a 2013 Forest River Sunseeker 3170DS class C.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    A few comments
    1: If your generator fired two surge protectors.. GET A BETTER GENERATOR
    2: Contractor's type. open frame, engine runs 3600 RPM, Ear plugs recommended, are nortorious for dirty power and though your device may run well for a while.. Life shortening is likely happening.
    3: Inverter generators like the Honda EU-2000i or Yahama EF-2400i Nice clean power, better than commercial mains in many cases.
    4: Reduced speed generators 1200 or 1800 RPM Generally like the Onan Emarald 5500 I'm sitting on just now.

    Roughly the same quality as commercial mains. Clean or close to it.
  • A surge protector will not do anything to filter dirty power. Also, most surge protectors are not meant to constantly be hit by surges. Often just one hit will kill them.
  • Put a load on the generator before plugging in the surge protector for the game console. No load voltage from a generator can spike to 132 volts. A load fridge, water heater on 110 or A/C turned on will settle down and stabilize the voltage from the generator.
  • I recommend buying a "kill-a-watt" By p3 international to monitor electrical output from your generator. They are about 20 bucks online and will give more information than a volt meter, and is much easier to use. Too high or too low of voltage or an improper cycle (hertz) can damage sensitive electronic equipment.
  • Properly operating RV generators usually do see some minor voltage fluctuation as the loads change, but that's nothing a surge protector will do anything about. Nor is it necessary to do anything about it as long as the voltage stays within the acceptable 106-127 volt limits. I don't know why your surge protectors fried though, but as said, the voltage could be an issue.