Surge Protectors or not??

[raid3r2011]

Hey, Y'all. I downloaded a list from someone on the internet & one of the things it recommended was to get a Surge Protector. It went on to say that some of the sites hook up devices are not in good shape & it would be safer to have one. Anyone have any comments?

[westom]

avvidclif1 wrote:
What was that all about??? The mechanics made a statement that no-one knows what they based it on.

Then it is best considered a lie. Any answer without reasons why is best ignored. Since it is usually only wild speculation.

Facts define a coax cable as part of that destructive electric circuit. Progressive has what connection direct to that cable? If none, then Progressive did nothing to avert other damage. That is a point often ignored. Conclusions without also saying why are usually wild speculation based only in feelings or rumors.

Posted were other facts, that if provided, could provide a useful answer. Then define how to avert future damage. What is most relevant here? Learn how to avert future damage. Existence of a protector does not mean protection exists.

[avvidclif1]

westom wrote:

trustymopars wrote:
The mechanics in the shop think that the Progressive unit probably saved the camper.

Nothing there says a Progressive did something. A conclusion starts by defining which anomalies (surges) are addressed by that Progressive model. And by tracing an incoming and outgoing path for that surge.

It is electricity. To have damage means both an incoming and a completely different outgoing path must exist. For example, an AC mains surge would be incoming to everything. But only one item also has an outgoing path. Only that item is damaged.

What was the incoming and outgoing path? Obviously cable was either an incoming or an outgoing. So, what path connected to an earth ground electrode? If a mechanic cannot say, then he has nothing to justify a conclusion.

Unfortunately that is what most do. Most forget how electricity works (an always required incoming and outgoing path). Then assume it protects from all kinds of surges only because surge protector sounds like surge protection.

If a Progressive provided that protection, then that mechanic defined a low impedance (ie less than 10 foot) connection from that incoming surge wire and outgoing to earth.

A surge could have been incoming to everything. Since it found a best path to earth via something, then everything else was protected.

Where was a short as possible (ie single digit feet)connection from a Progressive to earth? Progressive has a high reputation because it addresses completely different anomalies (also called surges) often found in campgrounds. What fact justified that mechanic's solution?

Same answer also says how to avoid future damage.

What was that all about??? The mechanics made a statement that no-one knows what they based it on. If there were numerous other campers that suffered damage thru the campground connectionss then I would say they made a valid point.

[westom]

trustymopars wrote:
The mechanics in the shop think that the Progressive unit probably saved the camper.

Nothing there says a Progressive did something. A conclusion starts by defining which anomalies (surges) are addressed by that Progressive model. And by tracing an incoming and outgoing path for that surge.

It is electricity. To have damage means both an incoming and a completely different outgoing path must exist. For example, an AC mains surge would be incoming to everything. But only one item also has an outgoing path. Only that item is damaged.

What was the incoming and outgoing path? Obviously cable was either an incoming or an outgoing. So, what path connected to an earth ground electrode? If a mechanic cannot say, then he has nothing to justify a conclusion.

Unfortunately that is what most do. Most forget how electricity works (an always required incoming and outgoing path). Then assume it protects from all kinds of surges only because surge protector sounds like surge protection.

If a Progressive provided that protection, then that mechanic defined a low impedance (ie less than 10 foot) connection from that incoming surge wire and outgoing to earth.

A surge could have been incoming to everything. Since it found a best path to earth via something, then everything else was protected.

Where was a short as possible (ie single digit feet)connection from a Progressive to earth? Progressive has a high reputation because it addresses completely different anomalies (also called surges) often found in campgrounds. What fact justified that mechanic's solution?

Same answer also says how to avoid future damage.

[trustymopars]

Another Progressive HW-50 tale. Three weeks ago while we were camp hosting @ Cumberland Mtn. State Park in Crossville, Tn., there was one lightning strike that hit the campground during a storm. It struck two trees about 80' from our camper, dug a ditch through the ground about 30' to our satellite coax, then into the camper. It took out our TV, satellite coax,satellite box, 3 led lights,the converter, and my EMS. Needless to say, our hosting job ended two weeks prematurely. The mechanics in the shop think that the Progressive unit probably saved the camper. JT

[Us_out_West]

raid3r2011 wrote:
I will definitely be getting the Progressive Industries Surge Protector.

Good decision.

Make sure you check out the differences between a 'surge protector' and an Emergency Management System (EMS).

This explains...

[Jim-Linda]

SanMarMor wrote:
Our 5er is 50 amp, so I would need a 50 amp protector. But if I use a 50-30 adapter for campgrounds that are only 30 amp, how does that work with the protectors? We do more 30 amp camping than 50.

Mark

It works exactly the same, you will not see any difference.

Jim

[SanMarMor]

Our 5er is 50 amp, so I would need a 50 amp protector. But if I use a 50-30 adapter for campgrounds that are only 30 amp, how does that work with the protectors? We do more 30 amp camping than 50.

Mark

[raid3r2011]

I will definitely be getting the Progressive Industries Surge Protector.

[raid3r2011]

DutchmenSport wrote:

nrkmann wrote:
...Does anyone have a 1st person story ...

When we first purchased our current Outback TT (3 years ago), we purchased a protector at the same time, day of singing the papers. My wife and I discussed this earlier, and considering the dealership gave a discount for anything purchased the day of sale, we stocked up on some of the higher end accessories for the camper. Hype? Well ...???

We took the Outback out for it's maiden voyage, a a State Park campground in Southern Indiana. The weather was horrible hot, we got there in the middle afternoon, the camper was horrible hot inside. Plugged in the power via the protector (pedestal type), and power came on for a split second and then ... dead!

We thinking to ourselves the camper is defective! Brand new, hot as Hades, and about a hundred miles from home! What a way to start out with a new camper.

I had always carried lots of 30 amp extension cord, so decided to try the next campsite over. Plugged into it and "wholla!" Great power! Cooled down the camper, life was great! UNTIL the occupant of that campsite came in and then the other one on the other side came in.

No choice but to call maintenance for the park. After a while they did come out. Found out the breaker was bad, it wasn't tripping, there was an over-voltage in pedestal, and the wires were basically fried inside. It took them a couple hours and by now it was getting dark, but they finally fixed it all. I plugged in with the protector and all was well.

Made me a believer! I keep mine plugged in all the time now. I have a pedestal portable type, but plug it inside the camper and just have have the plug sticking out the camper via the electric plug hole. I use one of the extension cords to plug in from the pole to the camper and inside the camper is the portable protector.

Now, if I've every had a problem in the last 3 years since then, I'd probably never know. It's never shut down again on me again. So maybe it's doing it's job ... sight unseen.

[boshog]

Surge/spike protectors are not going to protect you simply because the rise in voltage from a spike for example, is faster than the speed of the surge protection (usually a metal oxide varistor or MOV device) which has a clamping speed typically around 65 nanoseconds. By then, you likely have over 900 volts in your electrical system from the spike.

If you really want protection, you need an active device like Progressive Industries offers, a passive device isn't going to protect you.

[raid3r2011]

Better safe than sorry for sure.

[raid3r2011]

kennethwooster wrote:
We have a 50 AMP protector. Its not cheap to purchase but is cheap protection.

[DutchmenSport]

nrkmann wrote:
...Does anyone have a 1st person story ...

When we first purchased our current Outback TT (3 years ago), we purchased a protector at the same time, day of singing the papers. My wife and I discussed this earlier, and considering the dealership gave a discount for anything purchased the day of sale, we stocked up on some of the higher end accessories for the camper. Hype? Well ...???

We took the Outback out for it's maiden voyage, a a State Park campground in Southern Indiana. The weather was horrible hot, we got there in the middle afternoon, the camper was horrible hot inside. Plugged in the power via the protector (pedestal type), and power came on for a split second and then ... dead!

We thinking to ourselves the camper is defective! Brand new, hot as Hades, and about a hundred miles from home! What a way to start out with a new camper.

I had always carried lots of 30 amp extension cord, so decided to try the next campsite over. Plugged into it and "wholla!" Great power! Cooled down the camper, life was great! UNTIL the occupant of that campsite came in and then the other one on the other side came in.

No choice but to call maintenance for the park. After a while they did come out. Found out the breaker was bad, it wasn't tripping, there was an over-voltage in pedestal, and the wires were basically fried inside. It took them a couple hours and by now it was getting dark, but they finally fixed it all. I plugged in with the protector and all was well.

Made me a believer! I keep mine plugged in all the time now. I have a pedestal portable type, but plug it inside the camper and just have have the plug sticking out the camper via the electric plug hole. I use one of the extension cords to plug in from the pole to the camper and inside the camper is the portable protector.

Now, if I've every had a problem in the last 3 years since then, I'd probably never know. It's never shut down again on me again. So maybe it's doing it's job ... sight unseen.

[pyoung47]

Hooked up to my dual Champ gennies this summer for AC. Issues getting them to handle the load using econ mode. One on, both on, neither on etc. Anyway discovered my expensive coffee maker and remote light switch were fried. Would guess surge or spike.

[kennethwooster]

We have a 50 AMP protector. Its not cheap to purchase but is cheap protection.