Surge Guards, to buy or not to buy

[Dennis_Smith]

Ok how many folks out there have surge guards, and how many wish they had bought one. I got some fathers day money for camping world and I am looking at Surge Guards . In walking around the camp ground I have seen very very few being used. If I get one, I am going to hard wire it in where I don't have to worry about someone walking away with my $200. I have been RV's for 12 years and never felt the need for one, but I don't want to fry anything. Comments??

[jk31668]

easy question...which is cheaper? replacing appliances or electronics or a surge protector? hello!

[rvten]

Autoformer not same as a Surge Protector.

[thomasmnile]

wmoses wrote:


Yes the Progressive Industries built-in units appear to be superior but they won't cost $200. AAMOF, the portable Surge Guard is also more than $200.

Progressive has a portable model as well in 30 & 50 amp. I prefer the hardwired version as it's out of the elements and unlikely to be stolen since it's inside the RV. And, if I were to buy another RV with 30 amp service, I can remove the EMS from my current RV without any evidence it was ever there.

[samsontdog]

I have a Autoformer but in order to get a early start I put it away and 10/ 15 min later we had low voltage in the Park in Wash State and in 3 or 4 seconds it took out my ref, A/C. heater. Over $2,000 in damage plus ruined our vac. Now I have several different types of protections

[wmoses]

Dog Folks wrote:
If you have NO electronics aboard, you don't need one.

If you do have electronics, you should not be without one.

I am sure no one falls into the first category since pretty much everything has electronics to some extent or the other. 🙂

[wmoses]

I have read the above posts and have a different view.

I have a portable one and think that it is a necessity since damage can be inflicted to your appliances due to low voltage, reverse polarity etc. I have been to State Parks with old worn breakers, brown outs etc. and in all cases I was glad that I had something between the post and my camper. Being portable I was able to easily move it from my old RV to my new one. I have a small combination padlock that I use to lock the door over the outlets at the post, thereby securing the Surve Guard.

Yes the Progressive Industries built-in units appear to be superior but they won't cost $200. AAMOF, the portable Surge Guard is also more than $200.

[rvten]

Just because you do not see a surge protector, does not mean there us non.
It could be inside the RV.

Surge Guard is better than nothing. But Progressive is better.

[thomasmnile]

Another point to ponder. The Progressive Industries unit is not only surge protection, but protects your RV against several different electrical 'fault' conditions and will stop current flow to the RV before it becomes a hazard. Had the hardwired version in our fifth wheel. It stopped current flow into the trailer because of a problem with the pedestal we were connected to in a CG in SW Virginia 5 years ago. Surges are bad, some of the faults an EMS detects can be potentially dangerous to life and limb and your RV. The Progressive 30 amp hardwired EMS was the first mod I installed in our new TT and worth every penny.

[Dog_Folks]

If you have NO electronics aboard, you don't need one.

If you do have electronics, you should not be without one.

[tvman44]

Skip the TRC Surge Guard and get a Progressive Industries unit, far superior and a life time warranty. Good friendly people to deal with. 🙂

[the_bear_II]

In 30 years of RVing, never had one, never had the need for one. We stay at high end RV resort to state parks to little "Mom & Pop" Rv Parks. I do use the plug in circuit tester to make sure the pedestal connections are correct and providing a good ground.

I think if I was camping back east where heavy rain, snow, ice and lightning is a problem, I would consider one.

[korbe]

We, as weekend campers within mainly public campgrounds and parks, don't feel the need. I also look around in my rig and see what I am protecting.

[Burwoods]

We are thinking the same thing, will be following to see what everyone says.

[HappyKayakers]

If you're going to buy electronic protection, go with Progressive Industries (lifetime warranty) vs Surge Guard (1 yr warranty).