Surge protector
I know the best kind are the ones which would be wired into the system, but saw this today and wondered if it would be any good. Is this a "better than nothing" or "you get what you pay for" situation...
Forum Discussion
rbpru wrote:
What is the protector protecting? The Microwave and TV are the only items that would have sensitive electronics on the 120 volt line.
Converter will fry in an instant, along with any other 120 vac device that may be plugged in and powered at the time. Several years ago, before I learned about the value of protecting our rig with an EMS, we lost the Dometic MW in our KZ Spree, I suspect because of either a surge / spike or a high voltage event. :M Local dealer has also replaced several electric fireplaces. Last year he had a brand new Coachmen returned for "warranty" service days after being delivered ... turns out the new owner had a "qualified" electrician install a 30 amp drop at his house for the new rig. You guessed it - electrician wired it for 240 vac so when the owner plugged in $2000 in damage was the result. :E Why Coachmen covered this under warranty when this failure was clearly owner induced is a mystery :h ... dealer repaired the damage but warned the owner to not return with the same problem again. :R An EMS would have prevented ALL of this.
Mike Sokol's articles talk a lot about HOT SKIN, the result of an open ground. For whatever reason I notice that when my EMS disconnects it often sees an open ground when power is initially restored and as a result will refuse to reconnect it to the trailer until that open ground is cleared. Hot skin I can do without and for that alone an EMS is unquestionably worth the cost. :B
