Surge protector

[rfsod48]

I want to get a surge protector and I am considering one that is installed permenently. How difficult would that be for someone to do? I have no background as an electrician .

[Dr_Holiday]

The wiring isnt the hard part, cut a few wires, strip them back and plug them into the surge protector. The hard part is finding a location, and getting access to the location to mount it. Our shore power is at the back of the camper. I had to remove the under belly protector, remove some spray foam install the surge guard then close everything back up. Doing all of that while laying on the ground sucked.

[FLGup]

I installed our Progressive myself. I followed the directions, no problem. Before we sold the TT I took it out (if you can put it in, you can take it out). When we bought our new TT the dealer had it reinstalled in our new one as part of the deal. The new location was much harder to get to so I let their guy do it. Sooooo....The install is easy.....the access may be the hard part.

Also, I much prefer the installed version over the old portable ones I had before we bought the progressive.

[RTBabich]

TxTwoSome wrote:
Don't you need access to the unit to read voltage? If you have it in cabinet is this not a hassle? I just bought one and was just wondering.

If you need to see system voltage often take a look at a Voltage Test Tool DM55-1 ($6 on ebay) that you plug into any 110v outlet. It can also double as a night light. You can tell when the surge protector "did it's job" because the power will be out for 2.5 min to allow time for the AC compressor pressure to bleed down if it was on.

[Houston_Remodel]

Mine has a remote display I can see easily. I mounted next to the circuit breaker panel.

[SoundGuy]

TxTwoSome wrote:
Don't you need access to the unit to read voltage? If you have it in cabinet is this not a hassle? I just bought one and was just wondering.

I've always monitored incoming source voltage with a Kill-a-Watt meter so where the Surge Guard is located is a non-issue for me.

[TxTwoSome]

Don't you need access to the unit to read voltage? If you have it in cabinet is this not a hassle? I just bought one and was just wondering.

[Houston_Remodel]

Last week the surge protector did its job at least 4 times during the afternoon Orlando thunderstorms which resulted in power spikes and short black outs.

Worth every penny

[RTBabich]

Old Duck wrote:
The main reason I went to a different protector was the portable was a 30 amp, out current rig is a 50 amp. ...

Progressive makes a 50 amp unit - PT50C.

[kohai]

rfsod48 wrote:
I want to get a surge protector and I am considering one that is installed permenently. How difficult would that be for someone to do? I have no background as an electrician .

I have one that is installed. I had the dealer do it. They gave me a competitive price on the hardware and they charged me 2 hours labor -- so I think about $250 for labor. They originally thought it would be 1 hr but when they spent 2 on it.

[SoundGuy]

Old Duck wrote:
The main reason I went to a different protector was the portable was a 30 amp, out current rig is a 50 amp. I like Soundguys idea if a place would be close by

An entirely legitimate reason for making the choice that you did. 🙂 Same for me, just different reasons ... unlike many here who much prefer a Progressive EMS I'm using a Surge Guard that while arguably may not be as good sure was a deal for me as I bought it for a fraction of the cost of a new one from an older gent who because of advanced age and health issues decided he could no longer continue RVing and had sold his Airstream. Sad for him but lucky for me as it works as designed and has already saved my trailer's electrical system on at least one occasion I know of. Had this opportunity not come along I'd have continued saving and eventually invested in a Progressive, 'though knowing what I know now I'd still order a portable unit rather than a hardwire and wire it in as I did the Surge Guard.

[RollandB]

The main reason I went to a different protector was the portable was a 30 amp, out current rig is a 50 amp. I like Soundguys idea if a place would be close by

[SoundGuy]

Old Duck wrote:
I've had both portable and now hard wired. Decided on our current rig to go hard wired and a buddy purchased the portable one. Overall, the cost of the unit was simular, then a small amount of labor I paid to have my mobile RV guy do the install. Now, I have the thing in use when ever I'm plugged in.

As do those of us who purchased a PORTABLE unit and wired it into our rig ... same difference, except if for any reason I want to remove mine from the system entirely I can simply unplug each end and butt the two cable ends together ... much easier & quicker than removing a hardwire unit. :W

[RollandB]

I've had both portable and now hard wired. Decided on our current rig to go hard wired and a buddy purchased the portable one. Overall, the cost of the unit was simular, then a small amount of labor I paid to have my mobile RV guy do the install. Now, I have the thing in use when ever I'm plugged in.

[penguin747]

Progressive hard wired