RV surge protection

These are the cheapest Progressive Portable Protection Systems we could find when we bought. TechnoRV sends you a Learning Series when you buy them too that is very helpful. They are actually cheaper than Amazon right now by about $30. Lifetime warranty too - all you have to do is send them back and they send you a new one.

http://www.technorv.com/Portable_30A_Surge_Protector_Voltage_Protection_p/pg-ems-pt30c.htm

Varies from Park to Park.. I have half a dozen parks I frequent.

Where I am now and one of my regular Summer parks Very solid 50 amps, Almost never a problem HOWEVER... Since parking here I have had several power "Flickrs" this is where power is lost for like one second. (This is NOT a park problem but a power company issue)

The surge protector has a timer to keep me shut down for 3 minutes
1 Second is very hard on the A/C.. 3 minutes is a normal re-start

Two of the othrers If not for my auto-former I'd have low voltage issues.

bob213 wrote:

rottidawg wrote:
Any recommendations/brands for surge protection in my small pop up truck camper? 30 amp with no air conditioning and the only real load being an ac/dc compressor frig.

I am mostly an off the grid type but on occasion frequent full service campgrounds. A quick search indicates that these things aren't that inexpensive.

If you want an excellent EMS with lifetime warranty, there's only one choice IMO. Progressive Industries EMS NOT JUST A SURGE PROTECTOR! Without A/C others may disagree but if you get a portable unit you can take it to your next unit.

X2. The PI EMS has a few more features, has a lifetime warranty, is made in the US and PI has excellent customer service.

"Surge suppressor" has unfortunately become an overused/generic term for anything that provides some sort of protection. An EMS is far more than just a surge suppressor. IMO a hardwired EMS with readout is the way to go. It's in there and you never have even think about it when it's sitting there doing it's job. Also, avoiding another outdoor plug/connector connection (30A or 50A) is a better choice as it's another potential source for a bad connection as it's sitting out in the elements.

I have seen high voltage, over 132 volts, or should I say my EMS did at 3:00am and it shut me down. While I have had many issues in old campgrounds as others have stated, this high voltage problem was at my home base site. My site is in a residential area and I am the only RV with s&b around me. It seems the power company transformer that serves my neighborhood was failing as determined by the lineman that responded to my phone call. None of my neighbors even knew it, but my next door neighbor did tell me he had most of the incandescent light bulbs in his house burn out suddenly. I simply turned off my main breaker and enjoyed my self contained RV until the problem was fixed. It can happen anywhere and I absolutely will not plug my RV into any outlet regardless of the location without my EMS. I will let others roll the dice.

I have seen my share of low voltage, open neutral, open ground, etc. in campgrounds also. Also shut off from my RV by my EMS.

Well, kind of like H&R Block Income Tax service. After they calculate your tax return information they offer you their "Peace of mind" protection in the event of certain events, H&R Block will make changes to your return or represent you with the IRS. It's "peace of mind" knowing you do not have to face an unpleasant experience (should that ever happen) alone.

RV power protectors are kind of like that H&R Block "peace of mind" service. You may never need it. No one ever expects to get an audit by the IRS, and most of us never do. Most of use never experience electrical problems at campgrounds, or even plugged in at home. But, there is alwasy that one exception, that one time! That's when "peace of mind" is priceless!

I do know, I keep my camper plugged in 24x7x365 at home when not on the road. I keep the protector plugged in. Many times we have experienced the lights flicker, lights go dim, and lights brighten up. We have had lightning strikes that have taken out our internet antenna (we have a weird service at home), and even our interne router. We've never had an appliance get fried because of lightning strikes, but our internet equipment has. So at home, the RV power protector is doing it's job. I have "peace of mind." Otherwise, I'd plug in the camper ONLY when actually using it.

As others have said, low voltage is the most common problem in campgrounds. We frequently camp at a Yogi Bear CG that during Hurricane Irene in 2011 was flooded with 6-7 feet of water throughout the CG. Needless to say each and every pedestal was under water. Almost 4 years later the pedestals are just about finished. I'm hoping the new owners will start replacing the pedestals.

Lack of maintenance on the part of the CG can be very common. They only fix them when there is a problem.

From the info I have read these are two good units. The first one is a permanent wired unit and the other is portable.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050EGS5W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=AJ70PQ22ZX23&coliid=IXYNCKAN6EJQA

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AL23TC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=AJ70PQ22ZX23&coliid=I2D5S0RB9HR09M&psc=1

rottidawg wrote:
Any recommendations/brands for surge protection in my small pop up truck camper? 30 amp with no air conditioning and the only real load being an ac/dc compressor frig.

I am mostly an off the grid type but on occasion frequent full service campgrounds. A quick search indicates that these things aren't that inexpensive.

If you want an excellent EMS with lifetime warranty, there's only one choice IMO. Progressive Industries EMS NOT JUST A SURGE PROTECTOR! Without A/C others may disagree but if you get a portable unit you can take it to your next unit.

Any recommendations/brands for surge protection in my small pop up truck camper? 30 amp with no air conditioning and the only real load being an ac/dc compressor frig.

I am mostly an off the grid type but on occasion frequent full service campgrounds. A quick search indicates that these things aren't that inexpensive.

The last 2 times I have been out in modern campgrounds, my progressive EMS shut my power down briefly at night due to high voltage, >134 volts. This was a nuisance to me due to me using a CPAP machine. People without an EMS never knew there was a brief high voltage issue. But I have to figure that isn't too good for all the equipment in the RV. So, I plugged my CPAP into my inverter and used it like a UPS..... I guess this will become my standard practice.

I was very surprised that high voltage seems to be a common problem.....