Community Forums

Manzfam · 09-18-2016, 08:28 AM

Pardon my ignorance but I am new to the RV world and trying to make sense of things I am reading.

Surge protectors:
I have a TRC Surge Guard/Transfer Switch Model 41260 in the basement. Is it redundant or necessary to also have an additional protector such as the Progressive Industries? If so, what is the benefit or the hard wired over the portable besides theft protection?

Trickle Chargers:
While parked at home, I run a 50ft (12/3) extension cord outside from my garage outlet that is on a 20A breaker. I thought the Magnum remote monitored the battery/inverter to maintain battery charge? I this redundant or necessary?

Thanks for reaching down low to help a novice.

WD5DBV ROY · 09-18-2016, 09:35 AM

MANZFAM I am not familiar with your surge protector, but the progressive unit I cant remember the model has several features besides surge protection. It monitors many parameters . low voltage - high voltage - reverse polarity - frequency - correct ground condition and several others beside surge protection.
The advantage for hard wired unit is as you stated theft proof but most of all you can have a monitor inside the rv to monitor all the parameters being checked. One big advantage of the stand alone units is that it can be plugged into the post and check the to make sure it is good before plugging in. One other if anything happens like low volage happens the inside monitor will alert you to this. Good luck.

vsheetz · 09-18-2016, 09:56 AM

The TRC 41260 provides for basic surge protection plus reverse polarity and open neutral. The Progressive Industries unit additionally provides for over/under voltage cutoff, which is very important. Also provides a time delay before restoring power after a disruption or outage. I would suggest to add the progressive unit.

nothermark · 09-18-2016, 10:10 AM

FWIW I would not bother running the Progressive and the TRC. It really depends where you hang out. We have never been bothered by low or high voltage issues. Some folks are. A simple meter plugged into an outlet will tell you the line voltage at a glance.

Assuming the Magnum includes an AGS your shore cord prevents it from starting the generator periodically. Either way it keeps your house batteries topped off. You also probably have a BIRD system or similar to keep your engine batteries up. You need to keep both up. I would check my batteries with a DVM periodically to make sure. YMMV.

jrpend · 09-18-2016, 10:52 AM

f you have a mgnum, I would not bother with trickle charger. The magnum will do what is necessary to keep your batteries topped off.

Pigman1 · 09-18-2016, 11:23 AM

Get the EXACT specifications of the unit you are considering and the EXACT specs for the unit in the coach. Compare and then decide. My Tiffin came with a built in protector too, but when I compared the two, I went with the Progressive. I had to call Tiffin to get the exact specs on the unit in the Bus, but when I finally got it there wasn't any doubt which way I was going to go.