Are surge protectors worth it?

mr. ed wrote:
..if you expect a lightning storm at some time it's best to shut down shore power to your RV.

Meaning unplugging.

ksg5000 wrote:
Everyone has a different sized wallet and everyone has a different assessment of risk. Do you have a surge protector on your house? Few do. Many buy surge protectors thinking they will protect them from lightening strikes - from what I have read that's a fallacy and your better off just disconnecting from shore power when your concerned with lightening. I don't want to be a wet blanket but many (probably most) don't have surge protectors and seem to get by fine.

I agree that if you expect a lightning storm at some time it's best to shut down shore power to your RV. Your batteries and propane supply will take care off any necessary power needs, such as fridge, etc. You'll have to run your generator, if you have one, to use A/C or other appliances.

As others on this thread have suggested, it's a good idea to invest in a surge suppressor. The modest cost is certainly worth your peace of mind, not to mention potentially preventing thousands of dollars in damage to your RV.

Is it worth it? It depends on how you camp. I dry camp 95 percent of the time. I have not used an electric site in the last 3 years or my AC units. North and mountains in the summer and south for winter. I have a 1996 MH, not much electronics to protect, so to me it is not worth it. With a newer MH and full hook up camping it maybe worth it. How old is your unit and how do you plan on useing it?

2oldman wrote:
No SP will protect from lightning. Buying one will be lightening your wallet.

X2

There are reasons to have an energy management system or power conditioning system. Lightning strike protection is NOT one of them.

As most damage is from low voltage, I use a sola basic autoformer to which I've added surge protection.

ksg5000 wrote:
Everyone has a different sized wallet and everyone has a different assessment of risk. Do you have a surge protector on your house? Few do. .

I inquired about getting one from the electric company, believe it was $8 a month. found out it wouldn't protect me from voltage coming in through the ground or somesuch so didn't get it.
but this house to mobile RV argument is extremely silly IMHO. now in the house I do have surge protectors on every expensive electronic appliance.
bumpy

Yes it is worth it. Low voltage is a bigger issue in my opinion. Low voltage to your AC unit and the compressor motor is fried! Protector is way cheaper than a new AC unit. Some CG pedistal power not as clean as your home power, I am speaking from experience.

ksg5000 wrote:
Do you have a surge protector on your house?

Yes, several ... and whole house surge protectors are becoming increasingly more common. Unfortunately the television in our livingroom wasn't so protected and blew out it's power supply due to a surge, my iMac downstairs was and only the surge protector itself was destroyed. My electronics are now all surge protected but whole house is definitely the way to go ... and my trailer which is plugged in 24/7 whenever we're not camping is likewise protected by a hardwire Progressive EMS-HW30C. And yes, several times each season it disconnects for one reason or another, not only when camping but when parked here at the house.

I don't want to be a wet blanket but many (probably most) don't have surge protectors and seem to get by fine.

Go ahead, save a few hundred by not investing in an EMS and risk thousands $$$$ in damage to your rig ... your call. :W Many of us have already figured out this is a no-brainer. :p

ksg5000 wrote:
Do you have a surge protector on your house? Few do.

My home is connected direct to the utility supply transformer.

My RV is connected through a privately owned and maintained distribution network of unknown age, quality and maintenance. Have seen High voltage, low voltage, bad ground, reverse polarity. And yes your RV seems to operate fine in these conditions. Actual surge protection is low on the list of actual risk IMO.

MandKJohns wrote:
I am fairly new to the whole TT lifestyle and I came across a video on YouTube talking about RV surge protectors. Well as the subject says are they really worth it? The one I am looking at is...

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/portable-surge-guard-protectors-30-amp/73993

Don't waste your time with a simple surge protector, cut to the chase and invest in a Progressive Industries EMS-PT30C that offers not only effective surge protection but will also protect your rig from a variety of campsite power issues AND includes an industry leading lifetime warranty.

Am I mistaking but don't TT's have a protector built in to them?

Yes, you're mistaken. Get yourself an EMS=PT30C and don't look back. :B

Wow. Such BS. Good luck OP!
You will find that many of us have used a good surge suppressor and saved big bucks because of it. Before I bought mine I had to get burnt twice. I know, shame on me but that will not happen again and it has already saved my bacon twice since my purchase.
I don't care if you mileage varies or not or how the mileage of anyone else varies. I can tell you that my purchase has saved me hundreds in repairs twice.
You can now make your own decision.