I've ordered a portable surge protector from Camping World and expect to have it by next Thurs. Amazingly, I've managed to be OK without using one during my entire full time RVing career. I now feel that for the cost of one of these units (about $100+) the peace of mind is worth it. If you're using one let us know if it has ever "saved your bacon" on occasion.

I use one but only because someone gave it to me. It has never been tripped. I did have an encounter with lightning several years ago that no surge protector would have mattered

I use whole house wired one.A while ago I plugged into the 30 amp outlet and the surge protector(Electrical Management System) told me the circuit was not grounded. I informed the campground host and showed him the indicator on the equipment. He said people had been using that spot for weeks and that means there is nothing wrong with the outlet. I said, no it doesn't. It simply means the users were lucky and no one was electrocuted. I moved to a different spot then quietly posted a note on the other box alerting the next user to be sure to test the ground before hooking up.On several occasions it's alerted me to a low voltage condition that can be harmful to electric motors like the A/C.For me, it's money well spent.ed

Always use one.....it seems like a less expensive alternative to all the damage that might occur without one.

Saved us three times, that we know of in 8 years. I glad it did. When you consider all the expensive things electrical that could have been damaged inside.

I have been using a Progressive 'surge' surpresser for a number of years now. It has the ability to monitor the power coming into my coach. It has, on several occasions, alerted me to the fact that the power coming in to my coach was low voltage-as low as 103 volts- which as ed6713 indicated, could be harmful to A/C's and other electric motors. This problem is not limited to certain, off brand campgrounds. I found this problem in very large, prominent campgrounds like Disney's Fort Wilderness, Hershey High Meadow, and most recently, Sugarloaf Key KOA in Key West. It got to the point where the surge protector would shut down the power to my coach and reset a short time later. I feel that with all the electronics in today's coaches, it is well worth the investment of a few hundred dollars to protect the coach.JMHO.

Surge Protectors. Do You Use One? | Good Sam Community

Nomadac
Explorer
May 09, 2014
tmmar wrote:
I have been using a Progressive 'surge' surpresser for a number of years now. It has the ability to monitor the power coming into my coach. It has, on several occasions, alerted me to the fact that the power coming in to my coach was low voltage-as low as 103 volts- which as ed6713 indicated, could be harmful to A/C's and other electric motors. This problem is not limited to certain, off brand campgrounds. I found this problem in very large, prominent campgrounds like Disney's Fort Wilderness, Hershey High Meadow, and most recently, Sugarloaf Key KOA in Key West. It got to the point where the surge protector would shut down the power to my coach and reset a short time later. I feel that with all the electronics in today's coaches, it is well worth the investment of a few hundred dollars to protect the coach.
JMHO.

X2
Saved me several times due to low voltage, which protected my A-C units, by shutting down power. Provided me with information that I gave to CG and they found a a power transformer was the cause. W/O my Progressive hard wired Surge Suppressor I would have had expensive repairs for the damaged electronics, etc.

Same for Fire Extinguishers, I carry several but have never had a fire, better safe than sorry.
bob_nestor
Explorer III
May 09, 2014
I'm on my 4th RV and this is the first one that I've used a surge protector on. Never had a problem that caused any damage but after reading a lot of posts here I figured I was living on borrowed time. So I installed a hardware Progress Industries in my current RV about a year ago. Never saw it report any problems until yesterday. There were heavy thunderstorms in the area and I noticed that it was reporting a "PE04" - low voltage. Looks like my insurance policy paid off!
mowermech
Explorer
May 09, 2014
I don't have one.
I have never had an electrical problem in an RV.
Dick_B
Explorer
May 09, 2014
Did you search this Forum for `surge protector'? Do you carry a fire extinguisher? insurance? spare tire? Get the drift?
gcloss
Explorer
May 09, 2014
Bobbo wrote:
I have a Progressive Industries EMS HW30C. It has cut off the power 2 or 3 times when the park power fell too low to safely power the AC. Well worth the money and time to install, in my opinion.

I also went with the Progressive Industries HW30C. It shut me down 4-5 time last season because of low voltage. It's worth every penny.
jaycocamprs
Explorer
May 08, 2014
EMS-PT50C here. We bought it and a new microwave last month
gotsmart
Explorer
May 08, 2014
I use the 30A Surge Guard. I use the portable model because I don't want to deal with having to bypass a damaged/fried hardwired model. Should my Surge Guard fail I will likely replace it with the EMS-PT30C.
NanciL
Explorer II
May 08, 2014
If you got the $100 dollar one, it is probably the one that does not have automatic reset.
I made that mistake. If you leave the trailer/rv and there is low voltage, it will trip but won't automatically reset. then at the end of a hot day when you return, your Rv will be like an oven.
I gave my $100 one away for free.

Jack L
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
May 08, 2014
bob213 wrote:
Cancel your order...The $100 unit is a waste of money. If you are going to spend the money get an EMS surge protector like the Progressive industries with a lifetime warranty. JMHO
x2

Get a full power protector like the Progressive Industries HW30C or the portable unit.
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
May 08, 2014
Plugged in the surge protector last week at marginal "RV"park in Brinkley Arkansas and discover an open ground. Reported it and moved to another site. Agree that the EMS units are the best way to go. :C