Thoughts on the 'need' factor of a main line surge protector

Matt1221 wrote:
What are your thoughts on a surge protector I have a 50amp hookup & the parts department highly recommended one. Not sure if because the just wanted to sell me something or if there are alot of issues with sensitive electronics or what?

Don't just get a surge protector... get the full EMS power protection.

Otherwise stuff can be fixed but time spent in the shop instead of camping cannot be recovered.

I recommend to unplug if a strong electrical storm is headed your way.

naturist wrote:

gbopp wrote:
I didn't think a surge protector was necessary until lightning struck a tree about 15' from our Southwind. We were in a CG at the time.
It's just another type of insurance.

I’m questioning how much good any surge protector would be against a lightning strike only 15 feet away. They are great for miss wired campgrounds but the typical energy dump in a lightning strike is enormous.

Probably do no good at all and if it does take the hit and tries to dump it to ground then the EMS is going to fail as well.
When in a lightening storm, unplug.

gbopp wrote:
I didn't think a surge protector was necessary until lightning struck a tree about 15' from our Southwind. We were in a CG at the time.
It's just another type of insurance.

I’m questioning how much good any surge protector would be against a lightning strike only 15 feet away. They are great for miss wired campgrounds but the typical energy dump in a lightning strike is enormous.

Ductape wrote:
My practice is to insure where it’s required by law or for items I cannot afford to replace. Nothing inside the RV meets that for us. I’ve never owned one, nor suffered any damage in four decades of RVing.

A translation:I have been lucky for four decades. Do you feel lucky?

thanks camper8251!

EMS Electrical Management Systems

Sort of like insurance, you dont need till you do and then you are glad you have it.

https://campaddict.com/best-rv-surge-protector/

bob213 wrote:
Just for clarity...If you do decide to purchase one, for better protection, you DON'T want a "Surge Protector"...You DO want an "EMS".

what does "EMS" stand for?

Campground I visited at Christmas, MH fried a $1,500 board. His problem may or may not been contributed by the campground, but he also had a fried connector. I escaped without any issues. In any case, a good unit would have shut off the power.

Ductape wrote:
My practice is to insure where it’s required by law or for items I cannot afford to replace. Nothing inside the RV meets that for us. I’ve never owned one, nor suffered any damage in four decades of RVing.

There is an excellent chance that in "four decades of of RVing" you have been subjected to seriously low voltage. Though you may not have been aware damage was done. When voltage falls, typically late afternoon when everyone in the CG fires up their AC the life of your compressor is seriously shortened along with any other AC powered motor. It also does serious damage to sensitive electronics like your TV, Stereo, computer etc.

Denial.. it's not just a river in Egypt.

:S

I haven't had one since I started RV'ing 16 years ago. Haven't found the need. Now with the MH I'm thinking no about getting one, but haven't convinced myself I need one yet and neither have all he posts I've read. I still may get one but it will be hard wired with a Bluetooth option for monitoring. I have the watchdog in mind.