A few questions about surge protectors

[kt0819]

Hoping to get some advice:

1. Which of these is better to have, or does it matter? This one Or This one ??

2. Dh found the green one linked above that comes with a lock attached for about $30 more. Does anyone know if the lock actually works well? Is getting a lock on a surge protector a good idea? I've read a few threads where people say theft is not a big issue when camping but I'm not sure I'm 100% comfortable leaving a $300 piece of equipmet sitting out. I'd like to protect my purchases but not be overly paranoid either.

3. We don't currently have a surge protector and now I'm a bit concerned heading out camping without one. We need to pick one and have it shipped from US so that may take a couple weekends of good camping time. Should we put off our first trip to a full hookup site until we have the S.p. in our possession?

[myredracer]

Don't know if OP, kt0819 has made a decision, but here's my thoughts.

A surge protector is a really good investment investment IMO, esp. if you plan to travel around to campgrounds with unknown or questionable power quality.

First of all, I hate to have to say this here, but the thing about CW is that there is usually a better price out there from someone else, even when CW has a sale. Check out Tweety's as a good source for lower/lowest price. DW is an accountant and always does her due diligence and shops around for the best prices. 😄 Even if it takes all day. 😞

Since OP is in Canada, if they are near the border, I highly suggest getting a "mailbox" just across the border, if you haven't already. We have one. It saves a LOT on the item cost, shipping cost, and normally they won't charge you duty or taxes on under a few hundred $$. Or wait until you go camping in the US to pick it up at your mailbox. If you buy from CW or other online vendors, you can end up paying through the nose by the time it gets in your hands in Canada. Never, ever get anything shipped by courier to Canada... We've bought thousands of $$ online and had it shipped to our mailbox, incl. lots and lots of RV stuff. This whole thing is a long story for another thread....

Deciding between an offshore product with 1 year warranty versus US made with lifetime warranty is a no-brainer for me. Same with DW.

I would definitely go with the hard-wired one. Would get the one with a remote display. Many people mount the unit behind or next to the panel/converter. Besides the theft concern, it'd a bother to have to plug the portable one in each time plus it's just another thing to have to store somewhere.

As an electrical engineer, my vote is for the Progressive Industries hard-wired model EMS-HW30C. Here's a comparison chart for some good bedtime reading: Surge protector comparision Sometimes on these things, I end up having to override my accountant's (DW) lowest price approach and go with the better technical choice. Doesn't always go over well... :R

[Bumpyroad]

JAYHAWKERS wrote:
Progressive Industries surge protector MADE IN USA - Life Time Warranty! Last year I bought the hard wired Progressive Industries 30 amp unit and found the installation was simple. I did put a junction box between the surge protector and the entrance plug, so removing the surge protector would be easier if I get rid of this trailer and buy a different trailer in the future. Make sure you have an additional 2 or 3 ft. of # 10 AWG wire when you install the surge protector or the wires will be too short to Scotchlok (wire nuts) in the junction box when the unit is removed. I had some # 10 three conductor SO cord left from a previous job and found it much easier to work with considering the small space I had to work with under the refrigerator. Hope this helps you.

yep, use a new piece of wire to hook in SP. dont cut original wire.
bumpy

[JAYHAWKERS]

Progressive Industries surge protector MADE IN USA - Life Time Warranty! Last year I bought the hard wired Progressive Industries 30 amp unit and found the installation was simple. I did put a junction box between the surge protector and the entrance plug, so removing the surge protector would be easier if I get rid of this trailer and buy a different trailer in the future. Make sure you have an additional 2 or 3 ft. of # 10 AWG wire when you install the surge protector or the wires will be too short to Scotchlok (wire nuts) in the junction box when the unit is removed. I had some # 10 three conductor SO cord left from a previous job and found it much easier to work with considering the small space I had to work with under the refrigerator. Hope this helps you.

[john_b1]

Bumpyroad wrote:

cpaharley2008 wrote:
The hardwired one is better because of the above reasons and the portable ones may not always work at the campgrounds, some hookups are so close to the ground or upside down that there is no room for the add on portable unit.

that's another reason that I kept my portable in a basement compartment and ran a cord from there to the post. that was a standard 30 amp plug.
bumpy

We have the progressive 50 amp hard wired and couldn't be more satisfied as it immediately took two hits out of the equation.The remote monitor is great also ! JMHO jb

[Bumpyroad]

cpaharley2008 wrote:
The hardwired one is better because of the above reasons and the portable ones may not always work at the campgrounds, some hookups are so close to the ground or upside down that there is no room for the add on portable unit.

that's another reason that I kept my portable in a basement compartment and ran a cord from there to the post. that was a standard 30 amp plug.
bumpy

[cpaharley2008]

The hardwired one is better because of the above reasons and the portable ones may not always work at the campgrounds, some hookups are so close to the ground or upside down that there is no room for the add on portable unit.

[LarryJM]

the_happiestcamper wrote:
I got this one. It's not hard wired, but I can leave it at home when I go where there are no hookups. It goes under the camper, and if you are worried about theft, you could just loop a bike lock through one of its legs and around one of the camper's axles.

Unfortunately what you have is more of a voltage regulator (and a lot more $$$) vs. a surge/energy management system so you would need to buy addition items to provide the surge protection of the other two being talked about here.

Larry

[Bumpyroad]

the_happiestcamper wrote:
One of them says "Save $99" - I don't see one for $99:

Internet SALE $230.99 SAVE $99.00
Reg $329.99

I stand corrected. was jumping around in 3 or 4 current threads about surge protectors. couldn't move my lips fast enough while I was reading them.
sorry,
bumpy

[kend40]

I too went with the progressive industries version. My reasons were: made in the USA, life time warranty, and more features, not just surge protection. I found when i bought mine that amazon was cheaper than camping world!

[the_happiestcam]

One of them says "Save $99" - I don't see one for $99:

Internet SALE $230.99 SAVE $99.00
Reg $329.99

[Bumpyroad]

harmanrk wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

harmanrk wrote:
Well, the second one holds a narrower band, kicks out at 104 rather than 102, which by itself is not much of a difference, The other specs for the first one are not listed, so its hard to compare them there. Also the second one is listed as Made in USA. For the cost differnece (Regular price, not sale price), I'd go with the one that lists its specfications, and keeps jobs here too. Its rare on electronics you get to make that choice.

well he is buying at the sale price. and surely the complete specs. are available someplace. to save $150 it can be built in a non-union slave shop AFAIAC/
bumpy

Sure he is buying at the sale price, but 230.99 vs 265.77 is not 150 dollars in differece is it?

there is a link to camping world with the $250 one for $99. so yes, that is $150.
bumpy

[harmanrk]

Bumpyroad wrote:

harmanrk wrote:
Well, the second one holds a narrower band, kicks out at 104 rather than 102, which by itself is not much of a difference, The other specs for the first one are not listed, so its hard to compare them there. Also the second one is listed as Made in USA. For the cost differnece (Regular price, not sale price), I'd go with the one that lists its specfications, and keeps jobs here too. Its rare on electronics you get to make that choice.

well he is buying at the sale price. and surely the complete specs. are available someplace. to save $150 it can be built in a non-union slave shop AFAIAC/
bumpy

Sure he is buying at the sale price, but 230.99 vs 265.77 is not 150 dollars in differece is it?

[the_happiestcam]

I got this one. It's not hard wired, but I can leave it at home when I go where there are no hookups. It goes under the camper, and if you are worried about theft, you could just loop a bike lock through one of its legs and around one of the camper's axles.

[93Cobra2771]

Hardwired Progressive Industries gets my vote.