Thoughts on the 'need' factor of a main line surge protector

[Matt1221]

What are your thoughts on a surge protector I have a 50amp hookup & the parts department highly recommended one. Not sure if because the just wanted to sell me something or if there are alot of issues with sensitive electronics or what?

[poppa]

thanks camper8251!

[Camper8251]

EMS Electrical Management Systems

Sort of like insurance, you dont need till you do and then you are glad you have it.

https://campaddict.com/best-rv-surge-protector/

[poppa]

bob213 wrote:
Just for clarity...If you do decide to purchase one, for better protection, you DON'T want a "Surge Protector"...You DO want an "EMS".

what does "EMS" stand for?

[philh]

Campground I visited at Christmas, MH fried a $1,500 board. His problem may or may not been contributed by the campground, but he also had a fried connector. I escaped without any issues. In any case, a good unit would have shut off the power.

[Desert_Captain]

Ductape wrote:
My practice is to insure where it’s required by law or for items I cannot afford to replace. Nothing inside the RV meets that for us. I’ve never owned one, nor suffered any damage in four decades of RVing.

There is an excellent chance that in "four decades of of RVing" you have been subjected to seriously low voltage. Though you may not have been aware damage was done. When voltage falls, typically late afternoon when everyone in the CG fires up their AC the life of your compressor is seriously shortened along with any other AC powered motor. It also does serious damage to sensitive electronics like your TV, Stereo, computer etc.

Denial.. it's not just a river in Egypt.

:S

[dodge_guy]

I haven't had one since I started RV'ing 16 years ago. Haven't found the need. Now with the MH I'm thinking no about getting one, but haven't convinced myself I need one yet and neither have all he posts I've read. I still may get one but it will be hard wired with a Bluetooth option for monitoring. I have the watchdog in mind.

[Bumpyroad]

IMHO it is stupid to not have one.
bumpy

[twodownzero]

bpounds wrote:
Folks who have them, have already convinced themselves that you must get one.

Meanwhile, by my estimate the other 90% if us are getting along just fine without one.

Put me in that category.

This isn't something I've ever considered in nearly 30 years of RVing.

[MarkTwain]

bpounds wrote:
Folks who have them, have already convinced themselves that you must get one.

Meanwhile, by my estimate the other 90% if us are getting along just fine without one.

90% of you are high risk gamblers Las Vegas loves gamblers like you:), because you trust that all RV parks owners/companies keep their parks 100% maintained all times i.e. electrical connections. If you believe that, I've got some property on this beautiful island, real cheap:). You have every thing to gain and nothing to loose buying a surge protector.

[bpounds]

Folks who have them, have already convinced themselves that you must get one.

Meanwhile, by my estimate the other 90% if us are getting along just fine without one.

[2012Coleman]

Take the thing they sold you back and get a Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X Portable RV Surge Protector - 50 amp or 30 amp EMS. You don't have to get the hard wired unit if you don't want to - this one is portable.

Clicky

[OleManOleCan]

Half dozen years ago my buddy, Wayne, questioned the need when I bought a surge protector.
About 3 weeks later in an electrical storm, my buddy's camper got a over load when lightening struck something in the state park.
The camper didn't burn, but every circuit and appliance was fried.

Wayne bought another camper, and a quality surge protector.
A quality surge protector is a cheap investment in protection.

[bob213]

Just for clarity...If you do decide to purchase one, for better protection, you DON'T want a "Surge Protector"...You DO want an "EMS".

[bid_time]

Or you can just buy insurance on your rig; which you should have anyway.

[schlep1967]

My opinion ... If you full time or go out for months at a time, it's a good idea to have one. If you camp several weekends a year for fun, read your insurance policy or call your agent and ask what is covered in the event of a surge or low voltage situation. If it is covered in those situations and missing a few camping trips won't severely disrupt your life, compare the cost of the protector to the cost of your deductible. Then decide what you want to do. Keep in mind you may have to pay the deductible more than once if you are unlucky enough to have problems multiple times.