Autoformer/Surge Suppressor
In the market for a surge suppressor and find that the Hughes RV2130 Autoformer says it's also a surge suppressor . Does this mean there is no need to have both? Thanks,Mike
Forum Discussion
I doubt any voltage regulator also offers true surge protection and certainly not protection from a variety of campground power post wiring errors. TRC in their owner's manual for their Model 10176 Voltage Regulator recommends using a surge protector without low / high voltage threshhold cutoff before the voltage regulator plus a full featured surge protector such as their Model 34370 (now discontinued and replaced with Model 34380) after the voltage regulator.
I can see why ... I bought a used TRC 10176 but the moment I plugged it in it became evident it was faulty. Opening the case revealed several melted parts on the circuit board so even though it was outputting voltage it wasn't being controlled properly. Turns out the original owner hadn't used any other protection for the voltage regulator itself and unquestionably this was the result. Fortunately for me he was an honourable person and after I sent him the affected circuit board he returned my cost of purchase. I've since decided I can live without voltage regulation but upgraded from a TRC 34370 Surge Guard to a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C surge protector ... if incoming voltage drops to where the EMS cuts it off, so be it, I'll run on battery power 'til proper park power is restored.
I can see why ... I bought a used TRC 10176 but the moment I plugged it in it became evident it was faulty. Opening the case revealed several melted parts on the circuit board so even though it was outputting voltage it wasn't being controlled properly. Turns out the original owner hadn't used any other protection for the voltage regulator itself and unquestionably this was the result. Fortunately for me he was an honourable person and after I sent him the affected circuit board he returned my cost of purchase. I've since decided I can live without voltage regulation but upgraded from a TRC 34370 Surge Guard to a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C surge protector ... if incoming voltage drops to where the EMS cuts it off, so be it, I'll run on battery power 'til proper park power is restored.
