For all the reasons the OP pointed out is exactly why we went with a portable unit, but changed the camper umbilical cord so the protector would plug in under a cabinet. This was on my previous travel trailer.
The umbilical cord was stored under the cabinet on the right side of the photo, bottom.
I removed the bottom panel, put hinges on it and an easy open handle:
I cut the original umbilical cord and attached a male end plug on it. This is the original cord that could easily be plugged back in at any time.
This is what it looked like from the outside of the camper. The extension cord is plugged into the power protector, but from the outside of the camper, you can't even tell anything is behind that wall.
Here's the inside of the cabinet with the protector:
Well, that Surguard protector eventually died and was replaced with a Hughes Autoformer 30 amp. And 2 weeks after I bought the new 30 amp Autoformer, we sold the TT for a 50 amp Fifth Wheel. I kept the 30 amp Hughes and also purchased a 50 amp Progressive.
What was really GREAT was the fact, all I had to do was unplug the power protector and plug back in the original cord. I shoved the end back through that hole, and with electrical tape, taped both ends together inside that cabinet. I also told the buyer (dealership) what I did, and if they wanted, they could always hard wire the original back into the junction box. Or keep it as a selling feature for the next buyer. The point is, it took absolutely NOTHING to remove it, unlike one that is hard wired in. It was the best of both, portable and hard wired.
The only drawback was fact the read-out could not be seen. But!!! the Hughes Autoformer had BlueTooth technology and sent the signal to my phone, which I could monitor there. It truly was a great compromise for the hard wired version.
Because there is no where on my current 5er to access the power entry point without major demolition, we decided to stick with the portable unit. We've used both the 30 amp and the 50 amp protectors at campgrounds and at home. This is also something to think about that might not work so well with a hard wired version?
I do keep a bicycle lock on the Progressive 50 amp, as it has a place for a lock to go through it.
Personally, I like your idea of the portable inside the camper. It worked well for me when I had a 30 amp travel trailer and only 1 protector to consider.
The umbilical cord was stored under the cabinet on the right side of the photo, bottom.
I removed the bottom panel, put hinges on it and an easy open handle:
I cut the original umbilical cord and attached a male end plug on it. This is the original cord that could easily be plugged back in at any time.
This is what it looked like from the outside of the camper. The extension cord is plugged into the power protector, but from the outside of the camper, you can't even tell anything is behind that wall.
Here's the inside of the cabinet with the protector:
Well, that Surguard protector eventually died and was replaced with a Hughes Autoformer 30 amp. And 2 weeks after I bought the new 30 amp Autoformer, we sold the TT for a 50 amp Fifth Wheel. I kept the 30 amp Hughes and also purchased a 50 amp Progressive.
What was really GREAT was the fact, all I had to do was unplug the power protector and plug back in the original cord. I shoved the end back through that hole, and with electrical tape, taped both ends together inside that cabinet. I also told the buyer (dealership) what I did, and if they wanted, they could always hard wire the original back into the junction box. Or keep it as a selling feature for the next buyer. The point is, it took absolutely NOTHING to remove it, unlike one that is hard wired in. It was the best of both, portable and hard wired.
The only drawback was fact the read-out could not be seen. But!!! the Hughes Autoformer had BlueTooth technology and sent the signal to my phone, which I could monitor there. It truly was a great compromise for the hard wired version.
Because there is no where on my current 5er to access the power entry point without major demolition, we decided to stick with the portable unit. We've used both the 30 amp and the 50 amp protectors at campgrounds and at home. This is also something to think about that might not work so well with a hard wired version?
I do keep a bicycle lock on the Progressive 50 amp, as it has a place for a lock to go through it.
Personally, I like your idea of the portable inside the camper. It worked well for me when I had a 30 amp travel trailer and only 1 protector to consider.
