Surge Protectors?

[Griz14]

I have never used one but was wondering if I should be or are they a waste of money.

Thanks,

Griz14

[SoundGuy]

Griz14 wrote:
wilcamp...I looked at Camping World n-line info but didn't see the lock case you mentioned. Can you supply a link to this info.

That lock case being referred to is for a TRC Surge Guard ... I've got one and it's just a plastic box that could easily be destroyed with one quick hammer hit. It wouldn't be suitable for use with a Progessive EMS-PT30C or EMS-PT50C anyway as you wouldn't be able to read the error display on the front panel of those units. The Progressive Industries portable EMS-PT30C & EMS-PT50C instead come with a metal tab through which you can fit your own lock. Anyone really concerned about theft should instead buy a hard wire version OR if they really do want the versatility of a portable unit wire it into the trailer using standard 30 amp (or 50 amp) connectors so the unit can be used inside the trailer but be removed for use outside anytime, as preferred. I did this myself with my first unit, a Surge Guard #34730.

[jerseyjim]

Regarding theft(s) of a "portable" EMS or surge protector.....never heard of it. Doesn't mean it couldn't happen, but as of yet....nope.

[eDUBz]

temccarthy1 wrote:
I would just like to have a dollar for every time Westom said "anomaly" in this thread....

Lmao! Enough to buy a portable surge protector

[eDUBz]

I just installed a hardwire Progressive industries 30amp surge protector. I think there worth the investment a couple hundred bucks and you know your safe. I opted for the hardwore because its one less thing to remember and never have tk worry about it getting stolen.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Low voltage cutout is 104--too low for my comfort level of 107.

Paul D. wrote:
While what Westom is saying is correct and most of it indisputable. Bottom line, the higher quality RV EMS systems DO protect against the the 2 most common rv damage causing issues:
Low voltage " Brown Out"
Open Neutral

[K_and_I]

Griz14 wrote:
Has anyone ever had a portable EMS stolen from their power pedestal?

Griz14

We have had the portable Progressive EMS for a couple of years. I do lock it to the pedestal with a Master Lock Python Adjustable Locking Cable. Just be careful which one you get- there are 2 different diameters for the cable. The Progressive EMS has a metal plate with a hole the cable can be run through, but the thicker diameter cable is too big. I had to take it back and get the other one. While this will not stop a determined thief, it would require a fair amount of work and make some noise before he would have it.

[temccarthy1]

I would just like to have a dollar for every time Westom said "anomaly" in this thread....

[Griz14]

wilcamp...I looked at Camping World n-line info but didn't see the lock case you mentioned. Can you supply a link to this info.

Thanks,

Griz14

[wilcamp]

Griz14 wrote:
Has anyone ever had a portable EMS stolen from their power pedestal?

Griz14

Progressive Industries sells a lock-case to fit over the connection between your male plug from your TT/FW and the female plug from the protection unit. You supply a reliable padlock of your own choosing. Check Camping World on-line for details.

Great article w/ advertising in the May issue of Trailer Life magazine outlines the models provided by several companies.

[Paul_D_]

While what Westom is saying is correct and most of it indisputable. Bottom line, the higher quality RV EMS systems DO protect against the the 2 most common rv damage causing issues:
Low voltage " Brown Out"
Open Neutral

IMO it is an odds game, the more you are protected against, the less likely there is any damage.

In the electrical service business we have a term to describe the argument route the Westom has chosen to take, we call it "Picking pepper outta knat Sh_t". 🙂

[jwc99]

Did not use one on my previous 2 campers. I keep them plugged up year round at home under the shed. Bought my new camper and decided to spend the money and get the progressive unit. Really didn't want to spend the money, I never needed it before. About 2 weeks after I brought the new camper home the socket failed and gave me a open neutral. Progressive unit worked like advertised and cut the power to the trailer. I didn't know anything had happened until a couple days later. I went down to the camper to get something and discovered the power was off. I checked the display and found the problem. I'm sure if the power had not been cut I would be replacing appliances. I guess it was money well spent.

[westom]

SoundGuy wrote:
Fact is, most RV owners are quite well served by all the protection a device such as a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C or EMS-HW50C can offer

Why continue arguing? I said that - with reasons why we know this.

Others want a protector to do what a completely different device (called a surge protector) does. Or do things that even other devices (called protectors) also do not do.

Griz14 (and others) would select a protector using facts such as what threats exist and what it really does. That was defined at a layman level. Such answers can never be found in soundbytes or a few sentences. Others who cannot be bothered are best advised to pay for a professional to make that selection for them.

Meanwhile, Progressive is highly regarded because it effectively protects from typical 'surges' found in campgrounds. Will it protect electronics as another assumed? Some models will; some will not. Some anomalies are so rare as to be typically ignored.

[SoundGuy]

westom wrote:
Progressive is highly regarded because it effectively protects from most typical 'surges' found in campgrounds. Will it protect electronics as another has assumed? Some will; some will not. One must read specification numbers for that anomaly.

Time to give it up, you're fighting a losing battle here with your "junk science" theory. :R Fact is, most RV owners are quite well served by all the protection a device such as a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C or EMS-HW50C can offer and to do so they don't have to read anything ... just buy it and use it every time they camp. 😉

[Griz14]

Has anyone ever had a portable EMS stolen from their power pedestal?

Griz14

[westom]

SoundGuy wrote:
And just who are these "many"? :h I've read every post in this thread carefully and don't see where anyone has in any way compared a Progressive Industries EMS to a power strip protector.

Did someone claim a campground protector might protect from lightning? Yes. Will it? Many will not. They are designed for something completely different - and also called a surge.

Meanwhile that is exactly what a home surge protector (ie power strip) is purchased for - a completely different anomaly.

Progressive is highly regarded because it effectively protects from most typical 'surges' found in campgrounds. Will it protect electronics as another has assumed? Some will; some will not. One must read specification numbers for that anomaly.