Is this surge guard OK?
Is this Surge Guard any good. I don't think it protects against low voltage which I think is one of the main concerns.... Surge Guard I went to a local RV dealer here and they want $169.00 for t...
Forum Discussion
First thing is, never buy accessories from an RV dealer unless you are in a hurry or have very deep pockets. Secondly, never get RV parts shipped to Canada if at all possible. If near enough to the border, get a US mailbox and go pick up your items and you won't pay taxes and duty unless it's a big ticket item. If you have to get things shipped to Canada, never use a courier and use the postal system. With an item description and/or model no. shop around on the 'net and you usually find some very competitive pricing. It sux that our dollar is so low at the moment.
The Progressive Industries EMS has a few more and better features than the SurgeGuard, at least it used to. I haven't done a side by side comparison with the new 30 amp Surge Guard portable unit. It looks like the S/G 30 amp portable is technically better than their hardwired version. When shopping, be aware that the S/G portable 30 amp model 34730 has been superceded by model 34830. I would buy the new version due to the new features and don't get caught paying way too much for an old version.
With the P/I units having a lifetime warranty, that's all I need to know to get theirs over the 1-year warranty competitor. P/I units are also made in the US 9as opposed to Ch*na) and they have excellent customer service.
You can get either a P/I or S/G hardwired 30 amp model for under $200 (USD) by shopping around. The portable ones are a little over $200. Compared to what it can cost for repairs if electric appliances get damaged, it doesn't make sense to cheap out on an EMS unit.
You'll find that low voltage is the most common issue RVers have to deal with. It can damage AC units if too low and also cause appliances with heating elements to put out a lot less heat. You may want to consider a voltage monitor that you can easily see inside to easily keep an eye on what the CG voltage is doing. It's surprising how low CGs can get, even without AC units running. If you think you'll be camping a lot in the heat and want to have AC on as needed, yes, an autoformer is an option but they're heavy and bulky.
The Progressive Industries EMS has a few more and better features than the SurgeGuard, at least it used to. I haven't done a side by side comparison with the new 30 amp Surge Guard portable unit. It looks like the S/G 30 amp portable is technically better than their hardwired version. When shopping, be aware that the S/G portable 30 amp model 34730 has been superceded by model 34830. I would buy the new version due to the new features and don't get caught paying way too much for an old version.
With the P/I units having a lifetime warranty, that's all I need to know to get theirs over the 1-year warranty competitor. P/I units are also made in the US 9as opposed to Ch*na) and they have excellent customer service.
You can get either a P/I or S/G hardwired 30 amp model for under $200 (USD) by shopping around. The portable ones are a little over $200. Compared to what it can cost for repairs if electric appliances get damaged, it doesn't make sense to cheap out on an EMS unit.
You'll find that low voltage is the most common issue RVers have to deal with. It can damage AC units if too low and also cause appliances with heating elements to put out a lot less heat. You may want to consider a voltage monitor that you can easily see inside to easily keep an eye on what the CG voltage is doing. It's surprising how low CGs can get, even without AC units running. If you think you'll be camping a lot in the heat and want to have AC on as needed, yes, an autoformer is an option but they're heavy and bulky.
