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joelyn's avatar
joelyn
Explorer
Jan 28, 2020

Surge Guard Protector..????

Looking to buy one for my 2004 TT. never had one before and I see there are 3 models available...My TT doesn't have a lot of electronics in other than a 60 amp convertor, refer and A.C unit along with the other standard plugs etc...
Any suggestions as to which one might be good enough for my older TT??

middle of the line....
beginning model......https://www.campingworld.com/portable-surge-guard-protectors-30-amp-73993.htmlhttps://www.campingworld.com/portable-surge-guard-protectors-30-amp-73993.html

best....https://www.campingworld.com/southwire-surge-guard-portable-30-amp-120-volt-wireless-communication-capable-surge-protector-118086.htmlhttps://www.campingworld.com/southwire-surge-guard-portable-30-amp-120-volt-wireless-communication-capable-surge-protector-118086.html

https://www.campingworld.com/portable-surge-guard-protectors-30-amp-73993.html
CHEAPEST MODEL

Thanks for any suggestions...
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    joelyn wrote:
    THANKS... CHECKED IN TO THE SOUTHWIRE SURGE PROTECTION and I do see a difference in the joules, the progressive EMS-PT30X has 1790 JOULES and the SOUTHWIRE has a 2450 JOULES rating. Is 660 JOULES difference that big of thing???? I still like the PROGRESSIVE look and cover but if 660 JOULES (not even sure what they are, LOL) is that much better maybe I will rethink...................THANKS


    SOUTHWIRE 34931 MODEL...


    I did not know Southwire upgraded my warranty when they bought the product from TRC thanks.

    but your question about Joles
    Joles is a unit of energy When SPIKES hit the bigger the Spike the more energy (Joles) it contains.. So that number is how much SPIKE supression. This has nothing to do with low voltage, current or plugging into 240 volts by mistake all of which the computer in both the Progressive Industries and the Southwire handle.. but SPIKES fast transients normally lasting only 1/60th second or less.. You never notice 'em till they fry you.

    YOu can add more of that kind of protection if you like the "cheap" "Surge Guards" are really additional spike supression.

    I have 3 sets of spike supressors on this RV
    The Hughs Autoformer has soem
    The Surge Guard
    And a "Whole house" box I bought long before the RV and never installed in the sticks and bricks.
  • Lwiddis wrote:
    “Auto former is a totally different piece of equipment”

    Good to know, CAVIE, that an autoformer is TOTALLY different! Except you are wrong. Catch up!

    Per Hughes at: https://hughesautoformers.com/product/30-amp-3600-watt-booster-with-surge/

    “Introducing the World’s Only “All-in-One” RV Power Solution.

    The legendary, original, and patented RV voltage booster, now with the world’s most advanced surge protection.

    The all new Hughes Autoformer 30 amp power boosting autoformer (RV2130SP) has the same performance and reliability of the RV2130 but now has advanced surge protection built in! The unit offers 2,400 Joules of surge protection. As an added feature, the surge / spike protection module is also replaceable. In the event of a massive spike, the surge unit will take the hit ensuring your booster and more importantly, your RV is not damaged.”


    several years ago, an electrician friend had occasion to visit the Hughes facility for repairs to his Autoformer. They allowed him into the workshop area.
    He was not impressed by their workmanship (and some internal wire sizes). Maybe things have changed.

    Some parks will not allow you to use an autoformer. So you must do so in "stealth" mode. No clue how they would know whether you are using one or not.

    IMO- If a park can't supply adequate electrical service w/o a "boost" from an autoformer, I'll move on down the road.

    .
  • Dtank wrote:
    IMO- If a park can't supply adequate electrical service w/o a "boost" from an autoformer, I'll move on down the road.

    .


    Then you will be moving a LOT.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Lwiddis wrote:
    “Auto former is a totally different piece of equipment”

    Good to know, CAVIE, that an autoformer is TOTALLY different! Except you are wrong. Catch up!

    Per Hughes at: https://hughesautoformers.com/product/30-amp-3600-watt-booster-with-surge/

    “Introducing the World’s Only “All-in-One” RV Power Solution.

    The legendary, original, and patented RV voltage booster, now with the world’s most advanced surge protection.

    The all new Hughes Autoformer 30 amp power boosting autoformer (RV2130SP) has the same performance and reliability of the RV2130 but now has advanced surge protection built in! The unit offers 2,400 Joules of surge protection. As an added feature, the surge / spike protection module is also replaceable. In the event of a massive spike, the surge unit will take the hit ensuring your booster and more importantly, your RV is not damaged.”


    No. Lwidds you have fallen for the ad-man's glib line.. The Hughes is an autoformer. boost only far as I know with MOV's to supress spikes and yes they can be replaced.

    If you get a real surge (Like 2 second surge) the MOV's sound like firecrackers as they "Blow up" (not much of an explosion)

    ANd they do nothing to protret you Plug a 30 amp rig intto a 240 volt outlet or a TT-30 wired for 240 They go BANG and you get fried.

    Both the southwire and Progressive Industries units protect you

    Open neutral. open ground. Power "Blink" they do nothing for you both PI and Southwire do,

    The Hughes just corrects the voltage if its close enough and clips spikes.
  • Sola Basic autoformer has three levels of boost at 110, 100, and 90 volts. It has one buck at 135 volts. These "trigger" points are adjustable and I've moved mine up to 113 volts.

    It will not protect from 240 volts so far as I am aware.

    It behooves the rv owner to check voltage and polarity under load before plugging in their RV.

    I limit my demand to 80% of the amperage available. 12 on 15 amp, 24 on 30, and 40 on 50.
  • Remember, all we're measuring is RMS (Root Mean Squared) voltages - not the actual peak to peak voltage. Any device that can't cut power before the top of the very first cycle allows that full blast to enter your RV.

    Surge Protectors and circuit breakers are electro-mechanical devices and will allow a cycle or two at minimum to pass before they open a circuit in the event of a surge or short circuit. For maximum protection, you need to have a fuse protecting the circuit.

    Watch this video and learn about the differences between fuses and circuit breakers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dckmSgp1nw

    It's a real eye opener!

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