Surge Protectors

[iquilt888]

I recently bought a class A motor home.

I've heard that surge protectors are a necessary item. I'm not sure they are. If there is anyone with an idea on this please jump right in.

Once folks do jump in can you address the portable vs the hard wired.

Thanks so much.

[2chiefsRus]

We prefer to have one. We have a Progressive Industries 50 amp Hard Wired Unit. We felt it best to have one since we travel to many different campgrounds. While you can check the pedestal before plugging in, that is only a reading for that moment in time. We prefer to be out and about and not sitting around the campground checking a monitor to see if the power goes up too high or browns out when everyone's Air conditioners kick on all at once. We also plan to keep this motorhome for a very long time and see a Progressive Industries unit as an investment in preventive maintenance.

[Hondavalk]

I didn't use one for 10 years and never had a problem. Then one day I did have a problem and after replacing several items I wouldn't plug into a power pedestal without one. Lesson learned for me. Not only do they protect against power surges but also low and high voltage and polarity. Jmo

[Roundtwo-40]

No, you do not HAVE to have one, many do not with no problems, I have one because it gives me peace of mind, look around your rig and figure how much it will cost to replace your electronics (including AC) and make your own decision.

On edit: also mine is the portable variant.

[tmmar]

I too was skeptical at first. Then I purchased a Progressive portable surge suppressor. I have found that it has alerted me and also tripped saving my coach from high voltage situations, conditions where the voltage was low and the frequency of the electric coming into the coach was out of spec. And this occurred at well known campgrounds (Disney's Fort Wilderness, Hershey High Meadow campground, Boyd's in Key West and others as well). I would definitely recommend getting one.

Berniross said "I'm sure you will get lots of folks who say you have to have them. I've been RVing for 16 years without and never had a problem."
Maybe he just got away without knowing he had a problem. There was a situation at one campground where my air conditioners were not functioning properly. Went out and checked my Progressive unit and found that the electric coming in was at 101 volts- way too low to provide enough power to my coach. I had to move to a different site (this was on a July 4th weekend) for them find one that had the appropriate power. A number of others in the same area were unaware of any problems.
I for one will always have one.
JMHO.

[2oldman]

Surge protection2010
Surge, 2010, 50a
Surge, Class A, 2011

[berniross]

I'm sure you will get lots of folks who say you have to have them. I've been RVing for 16 years without and never had a problem.