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??

[BubbaChris]

Two weeks ago we stayed at a campground where our portable unit tripped every 2-3 hours for under-voltage.

My 30AMP unit does not have the LCD display because I found a used one locally (they upgraded to a 50AMP Class A). Very glad I bought it.

[myredracer]

As an EE, I chose the Progressive Industries 30 amp hardwired EMS with remote display. The PI unit has a number of better technical features if you look at the specs in detail against the other one. That chart is not comprehensive enough.

The PI has a lifetime warranty. The other does not. On an annualized basis for the length of time you'd own one, the $250 or so you will pay for a PI is darn cheap insurance. Why spend tens of thousands on an RV only to skimp on insurance?

Also, the PI units are made in the USA so if you buy one of theirs, you'll also be supporting domestic workers...

[breeno]

+1 on the PI.
It's worth the peace of mind to me.

[Atlee]

I view the PI surge-low voltage protector as insurance. I bought one before our big cross country trip earlier this year.

Since I was going to be staying in a lot of different camp grounds in a lot of different states, I wanted some protection.

Most likely I wouldn't need it, but any electrical problems would have made me happy to have it.

[anaro]

This chart was recently boosted on my crossroads owners forum when I asked about surge protectors. I found it very helpful.

Also this Link was very helpful too...

[gcloss]

When I purchased my Jayco a few years ago I installed the Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C hard wired power protector. During some very hot weekends the Progressive EMS-HW30C would detect a low voltage condition and shutdown the incoming power.

On this past Memorial Day weekend we were out camping when a severe thunderstorm came rolling though. There was big lightning strike nearby and my EMS-HW30C detected a momentary Open Ground and shutdown the incoming power. The same large lightning strike also took out a local FM radio station for a while.

The investment of the EMS-HW30C was worth every penny.

[Bumpyroad]

S.K. wrote:
During a camping trip at a state park last year, we got no power to the TT when the PI 30 amp was connected. Once the PI 30 amp was removed, however, full power was flowing to the TT. We waited for a while, tried a couple more times and got the same result. It appeared that there was a fault with the power source and that the PI 30 amp was doing its job. So we were facing a dilemma: camping without power or taking a risk and connecting to the pedestal without using the PI, thus defeating the purpose of owning a PI 30 amp. What would you have done?

that is why I always say that if you get a permanent one be sure it has a bypass feature. also preferable if a portable one has one also, mine has a surge protection if the key is turned off. then at least you can run stuff that low voltage won't hurt. now if it is some other serious problem, camp without power.

[S_K_]

During a camping trip at a state park last year, we got no power to the TT when the PI 30 amp was connected. Once the PI 30 amp was removed, however, full power was flowing to the TT. We waited for a while, tried a couple more times and got the same result. It appeared that there was a fault with the power source and that the PI 30 amp was doing its job. So we were facing a dilemma: camping without power or taking a risk and connecting to the pedestal without using the PI, thus defeating the purpose of owning a PI 30 amp. What would you have done?

[Bumpyroad]

scbwr wrote:
After 30 years of camping, I thought I might have worn out my luck and with a new trailer, why take chances?

I thought the same that after xxx years of no problems, possibly you are due?
bumpy

[scbwr]

I decided to buy a PI 30 amp portable this year, figuring it only takes one incident and it could cost much more than the cost of the surge protector. After 30 years of camping, I thought I might have worn out my luck and with a new trailer, why take chances?

[2Shays3712]

Have had both Progressive and SurgeGuard. A couple years ago, RV park got hit by lightning about 150ft from our trailer and tripped our 30A SurgeGuard plugged into the pole. Ruined 3-4 campers weekend near us and the park model next to us. Heard later several microwaves and one fridge had to be replaced. Anything is better than being plugged direct to the pole. Would spend the money for the Progressive because of low and high voltage monitoring. Ours has tripped for both reasons recently. We now unplug from the pole when we are going to be gone during inclement weather as a precaution . Lots of lightning storms that come up quickly in the summer in the mountains!

I also place jacks and landing gear on 4" X 6" wooden blocks with plastic pads on top of the blocks as a precaution. Not sure it will protect us from a direct hit, but just another precaution. Have had the hair raised on my head as a kid when a lightning strike was near while on a tractor. Not afraid, but have a healthy respect for lightning!

[Dog_Folks]

wmoses wrote:

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. 🙂

You still need to consider Popup RVs. They can be pretty basic. Lots of those won't have electronics.

I agree that most, but not, all will have some type of electronics, thus my second sentence.

[ScottG]

We camp at the same bunch of state parks every year and have never had an issue. I do have independent surge protectors on every electronic appliance.

So at this stage I don't have a need for one. If I got a newer, bigger RV and used hookups in new locations then I might splurge.

[Bumpyroad]

korbe wrote:
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.

so you have no electronics worth over $225 in your rig? how about all added together. unless your RV is a tent, you do.
bumpy

[Bumpyroad]

well first of all it will probably be more than $200. and I wouldn't be without one, but make it a multi function one that protects against over/under voltage, mis wiring, delayed AC restart, etc. don't cheap out because "I've camped for 150 years and never needed one". you only need it once. remember one night in Austin a bolt of lightning hit the campground and after the smoke cleared I was about the only RV in the park that had any lights on. all those others probably hadn't had a problem for years either. :s
bumpy