Surge protectors... Do you use them?

Bedlam wrote:
They will burn up first to protect downstream circuits. Once they have absorbed that energy, they typically will no longer pass power whether good or bad.

You have confused something called a 'surge protector' with something completely different called a 'surge protector'. A device so necessary for RVs respond to a low voltage. You have described something completely different that responds to high voltages (typically thousand volts for microseconds).

Protectors that burn up on either surge are ineffective - best considered a scam. Both type of protectors should not 'burn up' on an anomaly they are designed to protect from. Surge protectors that do 'burn up' are often grossly undersized to increase profits. By failing catastrophically, those ineffective protectors get naive consumers to recommend it and buy more.

Relevant here is a type of protector offered by Progressive and other manufacturers. That protector is irrelevant for protection typically required in homes.

My PT50C shut me down this morning on my home base site which is in a residential area for high voltage. You never know when or where you will get hit by something nasty.

jimh425 wrote:
bob213, interesting that you got shut down. Do you know if anyone that didn't get shut down had damage or not?

It seems that most people don't know they are experiencing a low voltage situation. From what I have been told the extra amps drawn to keep your A/C running creates heat which causes a cumulative effect on the unit. It's burn out over an extended period of time unlike an over power situation that causes immediate damage.

Absolutely, we use one from progressive dynamics.

Bedlam wrote:
Many of the surge suppressors serve a selfless purpose. They will burn up first to protect downstream circuits. Once they have absorbed that energy, they typically will no longer pass power whether good or bad.

That is why you buy a Progressive Industries one.

Lifetime warranty (other one is only 1 year limited)

Field serviceable with parts from MFG. (other one can be once you get the back cover off which isn't designed to be removed and then find parts at an electronic store)

We did not until we parked at the Fairgrounds at Yuma for an event and lost our microwave dehumidifer and TV. Since then we use one!

bob213, interesting that you got shut down. Do you know if anyone that didn't get shut down had damage or not?

Many of the surge suppressors serve a selfless purpose. They will burn up first to protect downstream circuits. Once they have absorbed that energy, they typically will no longer pass power whether good or bad.

Most of the people that say "I've been RVing for 25 years and never needed one" just don't realize they may have needed one. We camp in 100*+ temps and my EMS has shut me down on several ocassions for low voltage. I always ask the campers around me if they are seeing low power and not once have I had someone tell me yes (as they don't monitor nor have an EMS) At the other end of the scale , we frequent a state park that routinely experiences overpower at night and my EMS shuts me down. Only once have I talked to another camper there that had the same protection and experience. All the others I asked were unaware. You don't need a surge protector. If you are going to spend the money get a Progressive Industries EMS unit, portable or hardwired. JMO
We also use an autoformer.

Just thinking, I would how much of a surge our chargers will take? It seems like they'd have to absorb some amount or blow a fuse. Once the current got past there, what would trip the breakers?