Surge protector

Buy a top of the line energy management system, not just a surge device. Or, go "whole hog" and invest in an autoformer.

Not important. Essential! Consider an autoformer to protect against surges and low voltage. Basic RV electricity safeguard.

Diamond c wrote:
We have a 2020 keystone outback. How important is it to have a 50 amp surge protector? I thought that’s what fuses and breakers were for. If I need one I’llget one, I just don’t want to buy something I don’t just to have it.

LITTLE READING FOR YOU.

https://www.technorv.com/articles/do-you-need-an-rv-surge-protector/

https://rvmentor.com/2019/11/24/ems-vs-surge-suppressor/?fbclid=IwAR3yx1bcMOia0kJcJsOT-fPluEY-jPUA-rmNUwmN0s6qLo0_1M3_i4tQ-P0

https://www.technorv.com/articles/do-you-need-an-rv-surge-protector/

https://hughesautoformers.com/run-your-autoformer-with-confidence-a-note-regarding-nfpa70/

A top of the line energy management system is like insurance. You may never need it. You hope you never need it. But, if you need it and don't have it, you may be replacing thousands of dollars of equipment in your RV. After that, I guarantee you will get one. I recommend the Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C. My EMS-HW30C is in its 13th year and 2nd RV. (I have only had 30 amp RV's.)

Diamond c wrote:
...I thought that’s what fuses and breakers were for...

Fuses and breakers don't protect your electronics and compressors from LOW VOLTAGE damage which is the most common issue in overcrowded campgrounds. A high voltage spike can destroy your electronics long before the fuses can blow. An EMS is the best guard-dog you can get for your RV.

Fuses and breakers are intended to prevent fire due to overcurrent causing the wiring to heat up. They offer no protection at all against wrong voltages, high or low, in themselves. A high, or in some cases low, voltage can cause more current to flow through connected devices, and so may under the right conditions trip a breaker or blow a fuse, but in a great many situations that would not come up and potentially result in the thing(s) being powered getting damaged.

Is an EMS absolutely required? No, not in the sense that, say, a sewer hose is required; it's possible to use an RV without one. However, it's a very good idea to have an EMS and it can prevent a lot of heartache should you encounter faulty electrical hookups, low voltages, etc.

Ok ya’ll have convinced me I’ll start looking and get one. I don’t think it’ll be a hard wired kind,but a “ plug and play “ kind.

We use a progressive plug in
Twice we have found pedestals wired wrong.

Several common issues with power systems of which surges are both the most common and the least troublesome.

One is a mis-wired park. Open ground or open neutral and the better protectors like the Progressive Industries HW-50C or their new portable model (Replaced the PT-50C) will detect and protect

Many parks have low voltage which is very hard on Air conditioners and some other stuff the units I mentioned will detect and protect

I've heard way too many stories of someone plugging into an 30 amp outlet with an adapter "Oh people use that all the time" only it is a 240 volt outlet and they fry everything in the RV .. It will detect and protect.

And finally I've seen many what I call "Power blinks" Where power goes out for just one or 2 seconds and comes right back on, again hard on the A/C. these units hold power off for over 2 minutes. To Protect.

Southwire/TRC Surge guard makes a unit that is not much different from the Progressive Industries.. I don't have the model number handy but the key is these area all top of the line units.

Both companies also make smaller, cheaper, units that ONLY protect against power spikes. no over/under voltage or other protection.

Jack Spratt wrote:
We use a progressive plug in
Twice we have found pedestals wired wrong.

+2. Only we have found more than two wrong or simply defective. High and low voltage found along with other defects.