Surge Protectors?

Daddyscooltv · 06-03-2007, 01:23 PM

Hi all do any of you use a surge protector for your Motor Home. Living in Florida and usually always camping in Fl thought it may be a good idea. Does anyone have any experence with the ones that plug inline with your power cord?

Chris

Daddyscooltv · 06-03-2007, 01:23 PM

Hi all do any of you use a surge protector for your Motor Home. Living in Florida and usually always camping in Fl thought it may be a good idea. Does anyone have any experence with the ones that plug inline with your power cord?

Chris

wilanddij · 06-03-2007, 02:37 PM

I use an inline one from CW. It has worked well for me. My power requirements are for only 30A, so your situation may be different.

Pusherman · 06-03-2007, 03:45 PM

I would recommend them. I have the in-line model from CW. So far so good. I have heard many horror stories around a/c units failing due to low voltage, etc.

Cheap insurance.

Catch and Release · 06-04-2007, 05:40 AM

I put in a hard wire surge suppressor from Progressive and on our first trip at a new RV park there was an electrical problem during a thunderstorm that caused lights in the RV's around us to go very bright and very dim in a short time span. Ours didn't see the voltage fluctuations as the surge suppressor disconnected the unit from shore power.

It probably paid for itself ($243) on the first trip.

Don

Eagles Nest · 06-04-2007, 05:59 AM

Just got one. I've heard awful stories about things going bad without it. Better safe than sorry!

wilanddij · 06-04-2007, 10:45 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I have heard many horror stories around a/c units failing due to low voltage, etc. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
A surge suppressor like the one I have from CW (about $80) will not protect your equipment from low voltage situations. These guys shut down in case of over voltage. To protect from low voltage you will need to install a transformer (I think they call them autoformers) to actually raise the voltage to 110VAC from whatever is coming from the shore line. In this case, I think you're looking at a lot more expensive piece of gear ($300 - $500).

**NLOVNIT** · 06-04-2007, 04:31 PM

We've had surge protectors in all of our units. Wouldn't be without one. Used both SurgeGuard (30A) and Progressive (50A) brands in-line models. The majority of the time they are just peace-of-mind, but we do encounter thunderstorms and campgrounds with improper grounding and low voltage. We've spent too much money on our rv's to chance them to unknown electrical supplied by a campground. They are a small price to pay when knowing how costly it would be to repair/replace rv equipment damaged by voltage issues.

L-

**Gary RVRoamer** · 06-05-2007, 06:40 PM

My American Tradition has a surge guard and powerline monitor built in - a really nice feature.

misty1 · 06-06-2007, 09:52 AM

I use one and would not be without it. I also use Franks auto former because a lot of areas have low voltage,and the unit will bost voltage to the proper amount or shut off the electric to the motor home if it is to high or low

E Z Livin · 06-06-2007, 11:32 AM

Chris, if you go with the plug in type (like I did), be sure to buy the lock that is also sold to lock it to your power cord. To much invested to see it walk away.
Mine has saved me more than once. One time at the campground I frequent and have never had a problem. This time the person before had damaged the breaker and I did have my surgeguard installed.
I bought mine off e-bay for $225 (buy it now option) because I am cheap or should say like deals. Had been used 2 or 3 times.