Forum Discussion

Dave5w's avatar
Dave5w
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014

Surge Guard Failure

After a 3 month trip up north, we were back in a Fla. campground to unpack the trailer and avoid the heat. The power went out the next morning and I could not get it to come back. The rig is a 2006 and I purchased a 50 amp Surge Guard (model 34750) at the same time.

When my RV repairman looked at my problem his opinion is that the Surge Guard failed which, in turn, caused the 110 side of my transfer station to fry as well. At least we didn't have a fire. A new transfer station has been installed.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Before we go north next spring, I plan to purchase a replacement Surge Guard.

12 Replies

  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Sep 08, 2014
    smkettner wrote:
    Not sure I understand how a failed SG caused a transfer station failure.
    These protectors only cut power, never change or add power.
    X2

    But Eureka! I had a though this morning. If the ATS has surge protection and the SG caused a surge or allowed a surge to pass through then the tech is right.

    The SG is suppose to prevent smaller pedestal surges from reaching the rig.

    I'm using surge as in a high voltage electrical transient and not the other power protection aspects of a SG.

    All bets are off if it's lightning related. But if so and the OP only lost the SG and ATS he's one lucky camper.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2014
    A lightning strike should have failed the pedestal connection and shore power cord as well.

    A "Surge Guard" is an autotransformer NOT an isolation transformer. Wanna know how many ways they can fail? How many terabytes storage does the trailerlife server have?
  • Carb_Cleaner's avatar
    Carb_Cleaner
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2014
    The 30 Amp Surge Guard unit I tried, didn't last 48 hours. I returned it for a full refund and bought a Progressive Industries. Sea air, rain, Florida sun, West Virginia snow with temps from 5-100 degrees and it's worked very well. It's alerted me to a couple of reversed polarity campground pedestals and I like being able to see the voltage. The factory theft deterrent on the PI is nice, too.
  • ol_Bombero-JC's avatar
    ol_Bombero-JC
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2014
    Dave5w wrote:
    After a 3 month trip up north, we were back in a Fla. campground to unpack the trailer and avoid the heat. The power went out the next morning and I could not get it to come back. The rig is a 2006 and I purchased a 50 amp Surge Guard (model 34750) at the same time.

    When my RV repairman looked at my problem his opinion is that the Surge Guard failed which, in turn, caused the 110 side of my transfer station to fry as well. At least we didn't have a fire. A new transfer station has been installed.

    Has anyone else had a similar experience?

    Before we go north next spring, I plan to purchase a replacement Surge Guard.


    "I purchased......etc" = wrong choice. PI Industries.

    "When my repairman looked.......etc" = the surge guard didn't "cause" your transfer station to "fry" - unless it didn't do it's job.

    "Has anyone else.....etc." = Nope - but can't speak for others.

    "Before we go North next spring I plan to purchase a replacement Surge Guard" = throwing money away (twice)..:(

    (It is what it is. If you had purchased the PI originally - you wouldn't be purchasing another inferior product - and, why would you do that??)..:h

    ~
  • tvman44's avatar
    tvman44
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2014
    SG will gladly sell you another one, but get a Progressive Industries unit. Far superior and life time warranty. I had a problem with mine and I never will buy their products again. :)
  • SCVJeff's avatar
    SCVJeff
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    smkettner wrote:
    Not sure I understand how a failed SG caused a transfer station failure.
    These protectors only cut power, never change or add power.


    Unless lightning strike caused the issue.....surge guard would not be fast enough or good enough to stop that surge.
    there's nothing good enough to stop a good strike other than distance or proper grounding that no RV in the world has.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Sep 05, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    smkettner wrote:
    Not sure I understand how a failed SG caused a transfer station failure.
    These protectors only cut power, never change or add power.


    Unless lightning strike caused the issue.....surge guard would not be fast enough or good enough to stop that surge.
    Still SG does not cause the secondary failure.
  • HappyKayakers's avatar
    HappyKayakers
    Explorer III
    Sep 05, 2014
    FrankShore wrote:
    Why not use a Progressive Industries EMS? They have a lifetime warranty! I learned the hard way about using a surge protector, and now I go with the Progressive Industries because of the reputation and the lifetime warranty!!

    50 AMP Power System


    X2
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 05, 2014
    smkettner wrote:
    Not sure I understand how a failed SG caused a transfer station failure.
    These protectors only cut power, never change or add power.


    Unless lightning strike caused the issue.....surge guard would not be fast enough or good enough to stop that surge.

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