RV Power Protection

[Chuck_Sorensen]

I looked over the Operating Instructions for both the Surge Guard 30 amp portable and Progressive Industries 30 amp portable.

This is why I like and bought the Progressive Industries unit:

Progressive monitors and displays frequency

Progressive is “Weather Resistant” – Surge is “Corrosion Resistant”

Progressive indicates when the surge protection components have failed. This is important because these devices degrade as they protect. It has been found that home power strips with surge protection can start fires when the protection devices have failed. Power strips are now including an indicator that shows when the devices / strip should be replaced. If the RV power protection units use the same surge protection components as home power strips, this indicator is a good thing.

For my Pleasure Way, someone using hands only could disconnect the power cord from the RV, unplug the Surge Guard from the power box and walk off with all; including the optional lock hasp which locks the Surge Guard unit to the RV power cord connection. The Progressive has a lock bracket, which when used with a chain and lock requires someone to at least have minimal tools to get the Progressive unit.

The Progressive unit is made in the U.S.A.

One year warranty for the Surge Guard; Lifetime for the Progressive.

Other clues:

Camping World shows the weight of the Surge Guard as 2 pounds and the Progressive as 3.5 pounds.

Web site searches found many people happy with Progressive. When problems were experienced, great Pleasure Way type customer service was reported. Two electrical technicians opened Progressive boxes and they were pleased with the quality of the work that they saw.

Camping World ads seem to push the Surge Guard; as if they make more money by selling them. Sort of like in the super market; Surge Guard would be displayed at eye level and Progressive closer to your knees. When I select “Power Protection” on Camping World’s main page, the picture of the Progressive unit does not even mention the name of the company who made it; I need to work down to “Technical Specs” to find out who made the device. The Progressive unit is only available on-line or by catalog; from Camping World.

Without a Consumer Report type of unit comparison, it is harder to judge how things will really turn out, but my Progressive unit works as advertised in the driveway and time will tell.

Chuck Sorensen
Buellton, California
2012 Ford Excel TS

[1775]

I have used the Surge Guard Portable 30 amp now for two and a half years and it has worked fine. I would also not get a hardwired unit unless it has a bypass in the event it experiences a surge as one that happens these units are useless. The Progressive can be "reset" but must be sent to the factory to do so. The Surge Guard gets tossed. When I got mine the Surge Guard only had LED readouts. Now they have a digital readout. I have heard as many good and bad things about each so deciding which one is a coin toss. I have seen more RV stores selling the Surge Guard which is not an indication of anything, but it is more available for purchase without having to purchase on the internet.

[SBradley]

The best reason for choosing the Progressive is - from the web site "How stuff works". Energy absorption/dissipation - This rating, given in joules, tells you how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it fails. A higher number indicates greater protection. Look for a protector that is at least rated at 200 to 400 joules. For better protection, look for a rating of 600 joules or more.

Surge guard - 1050 Joules of power surge protection.
Progressive - Joule rating is 1790

Beyond this both have similar technical specs.
If either actually experiences a surge it will require service, to restore surge protection.

[Bumpyroad]

Dick_B wrote:
If you are wondering if you really NEED a surge protector here is an article by a `so-called' expert: http://www.noshockzone.org/rv-electrical-safety-surge-strips/

I looked at your link. fella does a pretty good job of explaining it all. when I saw your use of "so-called expert" I assumed you were bashing the guy. he obviously has more smarts than a lot of folks in these types of threads, JMHO
bumpy

[Fastpaddler]

Dick_b
Minor off subject.at is Schwinn bike "electric with motor assist". Maybe I need one for my RV as a transpo assist??
AL

[Dick_B]

If you are wondering if you really NEED a surge protector here is an article by a `so-called' expert: http://www.noshockzone.org/rv-electrical-safety-surge-strips/

[Fastpaddler]

Quite right Bumpyroad. On sale for 249.99 at Campingworld.

[Bumpyroad]

Fastpaddler wrote:
So happens I need a surge protector and will google the Progressive model and have it shipped to Canada. Yes, Canadians do purchase products made in the USA: as one person has noted that is a big factor. We put these often cheaper-priced than Canadian accessories into our RVs: many, I hesitate to note, are made in Canada. Ah! Isn't "free trade' wonderful.Thanks Chuck.
Al

just be sure you get the $250 model, not the $90 one.
bumpy

[markopolo]

There's a handy chart here: http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Articles.asp?ID=279

that lists and shows a comparison of the features of the various SurgeGuard and Progressive surge protection devices.

There are 8 30amp models listed. 5 are portable and 3 are hardwired. The chart helps you sort through the features and the cost of the devices and would be good to narrow down your search. You might want a device that offers Ground Fault Shutdown for example. Then visit the manufacturer websites to confirm the info. The chart shows that the SurgeGuard 44740 for example doesn't have Surge Protection but that is not accurate.

The Progressive EMS-HW30C seems to have the most YES answers in the chart for the 30 amp models but it is not a portable unit.

[Fastpaddler]

So happens I need a surge protector and will google the Progressive model and have it shipped to Canada. Yes, Canadians do purchase products made in the USA: as one person has noted that is a big factor. We put these often cheaper-priced than Canadian accessories into our RVs: many, I hesitate to note, are made in Canada. Ah! Isn't "free trade' wonderful.Thanks Chuck.
Al

[Bumpyroad]

Horizon170 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
I personally would NOT hard wire one in unless it had a bypass feature.
bumpy

I'm curious as to why.

with voltage lower than the cut off point, there are still things that you can have on in the RV.
bumpy

[Horizon170]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I personally would NOT hard wire one in unless it had a bypass feature.
bumpy

I'm curious as to why.

[Bumpyroad]

drsolo wrote:
. This usually requires me having to get into the house, into their basement to flip the circuit back on. Is there something I can get that I can set to blow at my plug so I can just step outside to turn it back on, or better yet, something to put between the plugs and electrical outlet inside?

I don't think so. you could put a very low amp breaker in your hook up but if they put something "big" on that circuit, the accumulative amps might still blow the house breaker.
bumpy

[drsolo]

OK, so all I got is a 15A setup, altho sometimes I plug into higher amp with a converter hoodgie plug. At RV parks I rarely trip the circuit using too much as I turn off the heat/AC when using the microwave, coffee maker, etc. But I can run the overhead heater with my quartz infrared heater when it is too cold, or, my little LG AC with my overhead AC when insufferably hot.

My problem is when I hookup at friends/family houses. Their outside service is not only pathetic, sometimes it is not a dedicated line so, for example, one friends son cames home late after work, turned on the microwave and blews the circuit. This usually requires me having to get into the house, into their basement to flip the circuit back on. Is there something I can get that I can set to blow at my plug so I can just step outside to turn it back on, or better yet, something to put between the plugs and electrical outlet inside?

[mlts22]

Even with an internal EMS, I'd definitely still consider using an external surge suppressor. If something happens and a transient hits the line, it is a lot easier to chuck that and buy a new one. Plus, there are locking mechanisms to stop the other type of transient that would make an external surge suppressor disappear as well.