surge protector newbie

[mshiningstar]

I realize that this is a very basic electrical question but I am just a bit confused. I read that you can take a 30amp surge protector with a 50amp adapter and plug it into a 50amp pedistal plug to run a 30amp camper with no problem. I need to know what is best to use if I am plugging a regular 15 or 20 volt cord into the plug of the the pedistal to run to an outdoor TV/Blu-ray DVD player, what should I use for a surge protector? I want to be sure that the electronics are protected from low/high voltage. I am looking at a Progressive Industries 30amp EMS protector for the camper but what about this cord that I want to run directly instead of running through the camper's power? Can anyone offer suggestions or explain what will work?

[mshiningstar]

Oops. : ). Thanks to all.

[mshiningstar]

Thank you so much for all the great help

[CA_Traveler]

OK based on your latest post buy the 30A PI portable unit and with adapters plug it into the pedestal with an extension cord.

[CA_Traveler]

For your 30A rig use the Progressive Industries 30A power protector. Carry a 50/30 adapter and a 20/30 adapter and you'll be set regardless of what pedestal you plug the rig into. This applies to both wired protectors inside the rig and portable ones plugged into the pedestal.

If you are going to protect a second pedestal plug then you could sell the unit down the road if it's no longer needed.

You need to decide if protecting the TV/DVR with a second power protector is cost justified.

[CA_Traveler]

If you really want to protect a second independent circuit then you will need a second full power protector - ie one that has high/low voltage protection, etc.

Since the TV/DVD uses only a few amps you could just use an existing protected rig plug. For a heavy power use like a outside grill use of a full power protector is over kill. High/low voltage won't be a issue and besides if the TV is shut down by your protector your red flag goes up.

[mshiningstar]

Thanks for the great replies. This is an old '79 camper that we are re-doing. It doesn't have any outside receptacles. We did run a line to a receptacle that bypasses the electrical system in the camper to be able to run specific devices straight from the power pole instead of putting the extra load on the old camper electrical box. Someday we will find out more about replacing it. For now though I just wanted to have some way of protecting that bypassing line to electronics. I read about low/high voltage possibility from the power pole and wondered how we could protect from that.

[SoundGuy]

mshiningstar wrote:
I am looking at a Progressive Industries 30amp EMS protector for the camper but what about this cord that I want to run directly instead of running through the camper's power? Can anyone offer suggestions or explain what will work?

:h. Most RVs these days are equipped with an exterior duplex receptacle so considering you (wisely) plan to protect the trailer itself with a Progressive Industries EMS anyway why would you not simply power your outside entertainment unit from that receptacle? After all, that's what it's there for - to power whatever devices you may want to use outside rather than inside. :? Certainly this is preferable to using a simple household surge protector that won't offer any sort of low / high voltage protection like that offered by most Progressive EMS units.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[mshiningstar]

Our camper is a '79 Robin Hood and most of the wiring inside is original. I use an outdoor cord for some things so I don't overload it. (Just a fear of mine). I guess my main concern, after reading so many reviews, is that when I plug in a regular surge protector what about low voltage that I hear could be an issue. Could my new tv and dvd player be damaged if I don't have that possible issue covered?
I have never used a surge protector on a camper before. We always tent camped.

[DutchmenSport]

burghcoder wrote:
If you are talking about just plugging into the 15amp plug on the pedestal. Then you should be able to get a regular surge protector like you would run at home. I would look for one that is rated for outside use.

Just curious, why would you not use the 15 amp plug on your unit?

I can answer that question very easy. I use a separate 15/20 amp cord directly from the pedestal because I use electric griddles at the pick nick table. If I plug those into the camper, depending upon what turn on inside the camper, the breaker for that circuit pops inside the camper. It's very frustrating. It just much easier to run a separate line.

A television outside may not draw that much power, different than inside the camper, but, since the cord is already there for the griddle, why not just use it for the television, or any other electronics outside?

Plugging in the 15/20 line just gives you more electric outlets to use for anything.

OP: any surge-spike protector will work that you'd use for anything inside your house. If it's not in the rain, or subject to water, just get one you'd use inside. If subject to water, look for one that's waterproof. Most electric bars with multiple plugs have built in surge and spike protection. Just plug that into the end of your extension cord. When done, unplug it and take it inside. Simple!

[burghcoder]

If you are talking about just plugging into the 15amp plug on the pedestal. Then you should be able to get a regular surge protector like you would run at home. I would look for one that is rated for outside use.

Just curious, why would you not use the 15 amp plug on your unit?