surge protector and water filters

[GusCalifornia]

Hi there,
We are picking up our new 2021 c class motorhome in a few days. I heard I should get a 30 amp surge protector and a water filter. Well, I just went on amazon and the price difference between the surge protectors are pretty big. Anyone have a brand they like. I rather not spend a ton if I don't have to but if it will keep me from needing to buy a new one after a few uses then willing to spend the money on more expensive one if needed.

For the water filters, do we just need one that removes sediment? We have only done tent camping in the past and just carried in our water so not too sure about the water at the RV parks - never been to one. Do I need to filter sediment and then get a charcoal filter or brita filter for the sink too?

thanks!

[JoeH]

I suggest a Progressive Industries EMS for electrical protection. Initially I had a portable one, then went with a hard wired unit . Keeps it out of the weather and away from prying eyes. With an EMS you get surge protection and protection against open ground, mis-wired pedestals and very importantly under voltage. Many times ours has detected under voltage while at older CG's during hot weather when people were running AC's. Low voltage will quickly ruin your AC unit(s). I later added a Hughes autoformer to boost the low voltage, but initially you should at least get an EMS.
Regarding water filters, I use a Camco on the hose at hose bib end. We have a whole house filter inside the rig... I also have a water softener... the later is a recent add in the past couple years.
Good luckwith teh new rig--- enjoy !

[whjco]

We used the larger blue Camco filter in line with the hose along with a pressure regulator and a y hose adapter for purging the air out of the hose and to flush the hose with fresh water. I bought a good surge suppressor but only used it about 4 times before I bought the better autoformer power conditioner to deal with sagging voltage. I have a practically brand new surge suppressor that I'll sell if anyone is interested.

[garmp]

I'd say go with the Progressive unit. Not cheap but definitely worth. Had ours on 3 or 4 trips & it would give error codes. Called the company. They asked for pics and the error code number. Then they told me to cut off the plug & trash the entire unit, a replacement was on the way. Got the replacement the next week. Gott love a company that stands behind their product.
Water filter: We use the Camco inline blue filter for every tank fill. Get a new filter every year and haven't a problem.

[Bobbo]

Oasisbob wrote:
Congratulatiions on the new rig. May I just say that after nearly 40 years of RVing, including full timing, I have never used or needed a water filter, surge protector, special TP or TP chemicals. A water pressure regulator for sure and a black tank internal flusher. But none of that other stuff.

Or a fire extinguisher or liability insurance, for that matter.

[murphsfromaz]

Get a Berkey water system. Light weight and one of the best systems out there for travel.

[way2roll]

Welcome to the forum. In over 10 years of camping in various MH's and FW's I have never used a surge protector and never had an issue.

As far as filters, the question is, what do you want to filter? Like everything cost is relative to performance. A sediment filter will reduce exactly that, sediment. It won't take out Chlorine, Chloramine, Fluoride, bacteria etc etc. Are you going to be drinking water from the faucet? You need progressively smaller filters for that - all the way down to an RO system. We sometimes take very ling trips, so I installed an under sink RO (it's actually in a bin). If you are just doing weekend trips, get bottled water and a sediment filter to keep debris from clogging up your in line filters and faucets.

[pbeverly]

We take a 5 gallon water tote for drinking water, coffee and ice. so don't worry about a filter. Once we finish at the dump station whatever is left in the water tote gets poured down the toilet to slosh around on the trip home.

Had a surge protector that died right after the warranty expired. Need to get a good one but currently test power at post before plugging in.

[Oasisbob]

Congratulatiions on the new rig. May I just say that after nearly 40 years of RVing, including full timing, I have never used or needed a water filter, surge protector, special TP or TP chemicals. A water pressure regulator for sure and a black tank internal flusher. But none of that other stuff.

[doxiemom11]

We have a Progressive Industries device and use the larger blue whole house water filter. All water goes thru it. We have only had to purchase water for potable purposes in some areas of the south. Water elsewhere has been fine and we usually drink tap water, and have good well water at our summer location.

[Diamond_c]

Basic in line blue water filter from wal-mart ( might be hard to find this time of year ).

[Campinghoss]

We have the progressive industries EMS-PT50X. Since we have a residential frig and washer/dryer we have a on the go water softener. Hard water is bad on the ice maker and especially the washer. Not all but a lot of cg's have hard water. So instead of checking each cg we stay at I just hook up the softener.

I strongly recommend the EMS PT 50 X or an equivalent model. It really works on saving your camper and will not let your a/c or frig try to come back on without a delay.

[aftermath]

Water? I am a minimalist here. I use a blue everyday filter just to remove the basic stuff. In the few (very few) occasions when the water was bad we would purchase water from a store at that location.

[wa8yxm]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
my hope was that because the unit would "reset" itself if voltage returned to normal levels, it would be safer for our Aussum Shepherd.

The Progressive Industires and the Southwire/TRC both do that. if power returns to the specified range countdown later they restore power.

One thing I've notices several times is the power blink, where the lights go out for like one second than back on park wide. This is .. HARD. on Air Conditioner compressors. The restore delay 2.5 to 3 minutes depending on teh make) really makes them last longer.. and that's just one feature of the device.

Filters... Take about a 2 or I used 3 but that's too big, inch PVC about oh 12-18 inches long One end gets glued reducers down to garden hose (your choice but i put hte male end there) the other end a screw on fitting and reducers to the female garden hose.
NOTE before you fit the biggest reducer put in a stainless steel drain cover cut to fit inside.

now fill with filter floss (Fish isle at pet store) then about a pint of Activated charcoal, the basic stuff from teh same isle Top with a bit more floss (just a bit) and another drain cover and screw the top on tight. Decent particle and taste filter Not EPA quality.

I also had a Britta or PUR filter (Originally Britta but after it bounced one too many times I got a PUR at a discount place (thrift).

Drinking water went through that filter as well.

[Lwiddis]

Replacing a surge protector, or buying a good one, is inexpensive compared repairing a damaged RV electrical system.

[Bumpyroad]

don't cheap out on a surge protector. make it a "multifunction" surge protector, $250 not $90
bumpy