Installing Whole Trailer surge suppressor

If at all possible install it without cutting any wires and then it can easily be moved to the next rig. Plus it would be easy to completely bypass should that ever be required.

Mine is on the shore cord side of the ATS. Per above there is no right/wrong answer to install it before or after the ATS.

The PI HW50C is the best unit on the market IMHO. Since surge has multiple meanings I use the term full power protector.

mlts22 wrote:
Surge suppressor or EMS? For a permanent inbuilt system, I'd use an EMS, as low voltage can cook an A/C unit just as well as an overvoltage.

EMS has dual meaning in the RV world..
Progressive Dynamics calls their Surge Guard an Energy Monitoring System.

Many RV's have Energy Management Systems (Different beast).

Sadly the phrase Surge Guard is mis-used by the industry too.

The PDI Energy Monitor is a true surge guard.

The little six outlet power strip you see in Staples/Wal-mart/Office Max/Best Buy/Wherever labeled Surge Supessor. IS A SPIKE SUPRESSOR, in the event of a surge it becomes a sound effects generator.. The effect? Fire Cracker..

How do I know this: House got hit with a surge, I had a good half dozen of them in the basement with me.. Sounded like July-4.

But as others have said;

You want the one with the digital display that shows voltage, amperage and error code when it shuts things down

This unit will keep you "Unpowered" for so many seconds when you first turn on the park breaker (You do turn it off before plugging in right) if voltage drops, or if it goes too high, if frequency drops or goes too high and it may monitor line noise as well.

Can save you big time bucks.

It also reports on things like open ground on the park pedestal.> Can save your family..... The cost of an early funeral.

ON the Surge Guard brand... 50 amp (I do not know about 30) this condition is indicated by a flashing ERROR lamp and a steady POWER ON lamp (And power to the rig) just so you know.. Came up recently in the forum.

Ok I just did some checking My Seahawk already has a 30 Amp Power Guard on the Generator input side to the Transfer switch. So in reality I just need to install the EMS system before the Transfer switch?

mlts22 wrote:
Surge suppressor or EMS? For a permanent inbuilt system, I'd use an EMS, as low voltage can cook an A/C unit just as well as an overvoltage.

multi function surge protectors over $250 protect against that. plus have a timed delay on restart to protect the compressors.
bumpy

Surge suppressor or EMS? For a permanent inbuilt system, I'd use an EMS, as low voltage can cook an A/C unit just as well as an overvoltage.

since you don't say which surge suppressor you intend to use, don't get the $90 cheapy, get one $250 and up, multi function.
bumpy

Mine too came prewired for a generator. I dont plan on having a generator so I removed the transfer switch and put my surg protector in its place.

I agree on the 2 schools of thought. However, I fall on the other side (of the ATS). If you put it on the outboard side of the ATS, it is no harder to install, and now protects from ALL power coming in to the RV, shore power AND generator. Generators do on occasion get out of spec and put out too much or too little power. They are mass produced, and anything can fail.

There are two schools of thought.. When I install mine it will be just in front of the transfer switch, this way Generator power will not pass through it but shore power will (I trust my generator to do it's job).

Some folks think you should put it AFTER the transfer switch so it protects against the Generator being out of spec.. But though I truly am paranoid, I'm not that paranoid. (Diagnosed and everything). (Sometimes a bit of Paranoia is a good thing though, I was PAID to be paranoid).

My system when completed.

Shore power----Hughes Autoformer----Surge Guard---Auto Transfer Switch--RIG

Rig includes a Prosine 2.0 that feeds and protects selected loads I might add.

Needs to be between your park power supply and your power panel. Typically problems are with the park power pedestal. Mine has shut down the power several times during storms.