Surge Guard protection... Worth it?

The Surge Guard has saved us from two spikes large enough to trip a breaker.
It saved us from an incorrectly wired pedestal, in Missouri.
A brown out would require something like the a Hughes Auto Former to bring voltage up.
Fortunately we've not had a brown out since we sold our Fifth Wheel, in Manysnowda. Have seen in a very large RV Park everyone flip on a switch about the same time and trip the breakers.
An Auto Former is on our list.

Just be aware that many of the plug-in lower priced progressive surge protectors do NOT come back on after they are tripped. Doesn't mean they don't work properly but you need to know it.

The arguments for that feature go both ways. If you have pets unattended in the RV and it is tripped for whatever reason like just a momentary surge in the CG power it will not come back on and your pets will be in an RV without ac and the windows closed. In summer time that could be deadly.

That said I do not leave my pets in the RV unattended and I use the plug in surge protector.

CAN I QUOTE MYSELF FROM ANOTHER POST???? SURE I CAN, MY OPINION HASN'T CHANGED.

I did a lot of research before buying the inline progressive. I compared the portable adapter with the permanently installed, as well as some brands that had a cheaper price. I decided that $250.00 was cheaper than a new inverter/frigs/microwave, etc.... A lot of stories out there where systems have been fried.

I went with the progressive because it didn't just protect for high voltage, it also protected against low voltage (a more common problem) and had an automatic reset. Immediately after hooking up the electric, I put my eyes on that display to watch it makes sure the system is protected. It has gone off several times for low voltage since I installed it. What is the cost of peace of mind????

I went with the installed version, because of the stories of them coming up missing. By the time you buy the protector, then have to buy a lock, and still worry that someone may just cut the cord and take the entire thing (lock and all)....just seemed cheaper to install it in the trailer.

Easy install if you are at all handy. Simple white wire here, black wire there, green wire over that way. Lots of videos on how to do it.

Just like any other insurance you buy - cheaper for the policy than the loss almost always. I've seen things get fried, and seen mine protect me from bad power and bad wiring. It definitely happens and you won't know it until it gets you - unless you are protected.

I used the autoformer for several years. One night I was putting things away as I wanted to get an early start the next morning so stupid me I put the autoformer away. Shortly after we had low voltage and fried my ref, A/C etc. Now I have the surge guard. This summer I am going to buy the Progressive. I would recommend you get some type of protection

Bumpyroad wrote:

Tennessee_Nomad wrote:
I've been watching these for a very long time and I thought at $140 it was time to try one out. I've never had a problem at the power pedestal but I suppose it only takes once. They got pretty good reviews on the CW site but not so good ones here. For that price I figure if it lasts a year and saves me once it has more than paid for its self. Do any of you folks use them or are Progressive the SG of choice.

the price certainly is right. when I first saw $140 I "assumed" it was just a spike suppressor but see it is a full function one. it is similar to the one I have used for 15 years.
bumpy

I paid more than $140 for mine last year...I would jump on it.

Tennessee_Nomad wrote:
I've been watching these for a very long time and I thought at $140 it was time to try one out. I've never had a problem at the power pedestal but I suppose it only takes once. They got pretty good reviews on the CW site but not so good ones here. For that price I figure if it lasts a year and saves me once it has more than paid for its self. Do any of you folks use them or are Progressive the SG of choice.

the price certainly is right. when I first saw $140 I "assumed" it was just a spike suppressor but see it is a full function one. it is similar to the one I have used for 15 years.
bumpy

Hi,

I'd do an autoformer first myself.

Tennessee_Nomad wrote:
I've been watching these for a very long time and I thought at $140 it was time to try one out. I've never had a problem at the power pedestal but I suppose it only takes once. They got pretty good reviews on the CW site but not so good ones here. For that price I figure if it lasts a year and saves me once it has more than paid for its self. Do any of you folks use them or are Progressive the SG of choice.

We have the same one. Went several years without one and no problems. But as you said, it only takes once. If it is not a financial drain to your wallet, then why not? Peace of mind is priceless...

Is it worth it?, depends on how you camp and what you are trying to protect. I have an 18 year old MH and dry camp 95% of the time. The converter is the old Magnateck 950, analog TV which I seldom watch my refer would be the only thing that I would worry about. Seldom use the AC's, north in summer and south in winter. So depending on how you camp and what kind of electronics are you trying to protect would have to be answered first