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AlwaysDreaming's avatar
Jun 10, 2019

Surge Protectors, 2 or 1 or none

I have a class C with 30A 120V Power system and plug.
I have a 30A to 50A dongle so I have the option of plugging into a 50A shore power plug if necessary.

My question is, can I get away with a 30A surge protector in both cases above, or do I need a 50A surge protector as well?

Thanks, Al

9 Replies

  • The HW30C is excellent and you'll appreciate the inside display. My 50A version has 11 different error codes. And it also works with a 20A and 50A pedestal with adapters.

    Expensive? Yes but my current cost is $0 considering I bought/installed it in 2004 and then moved it to the current rig. The hard wired version requires a data cable to be routed for the remote display which for me was more involved than connecting the power wires.

    I've gotten every error code except for AC frequency. Saved the rig when I got 160V on a 30A pedestal at 10PM and it shut down the power.
  • AlwaysDreaming wrote:
    I have a class C with 30A 120V Power system and plug.
    I have a 30A to 50A dongle so I have the option of plugging into a 50A shore power plug if necessary.

    My question is, can I get away with a 30A surge protector in both cases above, or do I need a 50A surge protector as well?


    As already answered you want a 30 amp version because your rig runs on 30 amp main service - if you happen to land on a 50 amp site just use a 50 amp male > 30 amp female on the end of your main service cable so you can plug into that 50 amp service. You'll be drawing from just one of the 50 amp service legs and will still be limited to a maximum 30 amp draw.

    MORE IMPORTANT though is you do not want just a "surge protector" but rather an EMS with surge protection built in. A couple of different companies offer them but the most popular are arguably the Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X portable or EMS-HW30C hard wire units. Do NOT go cheap with just a simple surge protector.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    30 amp RV 30 amp Surge Protector (Progressive Industries HW-30C)
    50 amp. 50 amp.
    That simple
  • I prefer using an autoformer.

    I always check voltage under load and polarity before plugging in my RV.
  • Even plugged to 50 amp your using one leg = 30amp. Mines the opposite 50 amp & at times I only have 30 amp available. The one leg supplies limited power so I am only able to run one A/C or the Micro wave, on 50 amp it will all run at the same time.

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