Has anyone ever has a Surge Guard or Portable EMS stolen?

[drmopar]

Reading forums on different sites regarding Hard Wired and Portable Surge Guards/EMS units. Any thefts on portable? Issues on Hard Wired installations? I see Progressive has a locking tab on portable. Thanks for your replies.

[down_home]

We read accounts of things stolen, here on the forums every once in a while.
We had something disappear from a picnic table, but don't even remember what it was. We have Friends who go to Arizona every year they've had things disappear.
An they stole everything, we had, in our truck, in Phoenix in 01, but we weren't RVing.

[fj12ryder]

Well, out of all these posting you're the only one that's ever had anything stolen. To my mind that makes you a minority.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Safer south of the freakin' border. Thaz me, a small minority. Oops. a -VERY- SMALL MINORITY.

[fj12ryder]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
An

IN

LINE

PORTABLE

CARRYABLE

STEALABLE

COVETED

EXPENSIVE

Anything, laying outside. In the USA I have had chairs, firewood, ice chests, yadda stolen when I was inside the rig taking a nap. Not at night. During the day. Yeah baby, in RV Parks in the states.

Unprotected might as well put a cushion grip handle on the autoformer so a thief can run away faster. CHAIN the thing to the frame of the rig is my advice.

Or don't camp at the same place this guy does. He certainly seems to be in the very small minority.

[DutchmenSport]

drmopar wrote:
Thanks everybody for your replies. My other question in my original post also asked about issues installing your hard wired EMS.

To answer your question, No, the hard wired ones are not difficult to install.

On a similar topic in the not so distant past, another poster put a photo up of his set-up. He attached RV plugs, both ends of the protector -- hard wired model --- and then he could just plug or unplug it inside the camper when needed or in the event of failure. Pretty simple set-up actually. He had the advantage of portability and the advantage of hard wire.

If I ever have to replace mine again, that will be the path I take!

[MEXICOWANDERER]

An

IN

LINE

PORTABLE

CARRYABLE

STEALABLE

COVETED

EXPENSIVE

Anything, laying outside. In the USA I have had chairs, firewood, ice chests, yadda stolen when I was inside the rig taking a nap. Not at night. During the day. Yeah baby, in RV Parks in the states.

Unprotected might as well put a cushion grip handle on the autoformer so a thief can run away faster. CHAIN the thing to the frame of the rig is my advice.

[Bumpyroad]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Ya think maybe an autoformer has different molecules and thieves can see generators but not an anpensive autoformer? You can check out the principle by leaving your laptop outside. Post the results on the forum. From an internet cafe.

are you talking about autoformers mounted in the RV compared to separate generators in the back of a pickup or what here?
I must admit that I have never seen an autoformer in person but I would assume that it is easier to hide than a gen set that I have seen.
bumpy

[westom]

MrWizard wrote:
It's an auto cut off switch for protection
On off nothing more
It's and Auto Protection Switch

To provide protection from another type of anomaly (ie lightning), that protector must be located at the pole. Since protection from that longitudinal mode transient requires a 'short as possible' connection to earth ground.

Standard protector located inside an RV is an auto-disconnecting device. It disconnects from anomalies that can be averted by disconnecting. That is not (for example) not a longitudinal mode transient.

Subjective names say little that is technically useful. If a protector does something, then that person defines it with a number for what it does. Recommendations without spec numbers are how myths, lies, and confusion are easily promoted. Many here have posted blunt denials without listing each function specifically - with spec numbers. Never let their anger or emotion sway your judgement. Those who are most emotional tend to be the most easily swayed by subjective rationalizations and sales brochures.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Ya think maybe an autoformer has different molecules and thieves can see generators but not an anpensive autoformer? You can check out the principle by leaving your laptop outside. Post the results on the forum. From an internet cafe.

[eDUBz]

I went with a Hardwire Progressive industries, it's very easy to install and once it's in its less thing to remember before going on a trip plus you don't have to worry about it being stolen.

[fj12ryder]

Wow, I must be in the wrong thread, I never noticed any posts about generators. Wait a minute, must be someone else in the wrong thread.

They can't be too coveted, so far no one has made mention of the loss of one. I might be concerned enough to spend a couple bucks to secure mine, but so far rampant theft doesn't seem to be an issue, or even non-rampant theft.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

All the dozens and dozens of comments about generators growing 5-legs and running away and a serious question about a coveted piece of gear worth hundreds....

Hmmmm...

[GoPackGo]

I'll address the 2 questions that came up from my post -

1. Yes, the clamshell is plastic. It would be better if it was metal BUT, this is a relatively thick, apparently pretty strong plastic. It would take a pretty good sized hammer to break it, or a hacksaw - which will take time and will generate NOISE. I am trying to stop the casual thief - The guy who walks around looking for easy things to steal. This will stop him or at least slow him down (I hope). I can't stop a serious thief unless I chain up a Pit Bull to the thing.

2. My 50 amp cord is hardwired to my fiver on one of the hose reel type of carts with electric retrieval, so the clamshell does provide some security for me.

[LJAZ]

fj12ryder wrote:

GoPackGo wrote:
I have a Surge Guard (brand) surge guard and lock it using the optional clamshell device every time I use it.

Just trying to stop the thief who will swipe the easy stuff. Can't really stop anyone who is serious about something.

Isn't that clamshell device made of plastic?

I have the surge guard brand also but didn't see the point of the clamshell. My power cord plugs into the outside of the trailer so what's to stop a thief from taking both the surge guard and the power cord?