Community Forums

TheToads · 12-03-2013, 06:38 PM

We have been RV for about 10 years now, starting with a towable, then fifth wheel and now a Motorhome. We have never felt a need to add a Surge Guard to the system. But considering all the electrical "stuff" we now haul around, I am wondering what is everyone's perspective on surge guards.
And if you had a choice, which one would you buy, knowing all that you now know.
Thank you
TheToads

jlfbatonrg · 12-03-2013, 07:01 PM

I personally would not be without one. Several years ago, lightning struck the power pole in an RV park. Seversal of our friends had significant damage to electrical components Those with surge protectors had not coach damage, except for the sacrificed surge protectors. BTW, the campground was not responsible because this was considered an act of God.We use the Progressive Industries portable surge protector and have used it for many years with no problems.

Tha_Rooster · 12-03-2013, 07:05 PM

To buy insurance or not same thing.

justhavinfun · 12-03-2013, 07:08 PM

We have the portable box, plugs into the power source first to check it and then you plug the rv into the box.We failed to do this one time and it was a costly mistake. The ground wire had come off the outlet, so when we plugged in our rv...."it was a straight surge"! One of the tvs started smoking and before we could unplug, we lost the converter, two tvs and microwave/convection oven. The box costs around $500 and is worth every cent!

vsheetz · 12-03-2013, 07:22 PM

Progressive EMS here. Would not be without it.

2 Stroker · 12-03-2013, 07:32 PM

This is the way I would go, hard wired with the remote.
If you have a 30A this one
Progressive Electrical Management System, Hardwire 30A/120V EMS-HW30C
If you have a 50A this one.
Progressive Electrical Management System, Hardwire 50A/240V EMS-HW50C
or if you want to spend more $$$$ this one

TRC Portable Surge Guard 50A Hardwire PLUS - Model 40240
2 stroker

StevieG · 12-03-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Progressive EMS here. Would not be without it.

X2

Mac99 · 12-03-2013, 08:25 PM

X2 on the Progressive, I went with the non-hard wired.
Saved me three times in two years. Cheap insurance IMHO.
I have this one

EMS-PT50C

I secure it with a Python bike lock to the power pedestal

Products - Bike Locks - Python

Pigman1 · 12-03-2013, 08:26 PM

We've had the same Progressive 50A hard wire in the current coach and the 2 previous Class A's. Like others, I wouldn't be without it. It even picked up a problem with our home power line that the Electric Coop didn't know about until I reported it. Saved me a number of motors on the farm and a passle of electronic gear. Also has found a number of pedestal problems in parks across the country, in Canada and Alaska. Even though the new Tiffins are supposed to have a protection system installed, the Progressive units detect more and can take considerably heavier surges. I've never seen better customer service from anyone. I can still call them with questions about my 8 year old unit, and they're always available for help.

njs42 · 12-03-2013, 08:44 PM

I went ten years without one, walking around them, saying they were too expensive etc yada yada yada. This year we need to be hooked to our sons home for the winter "family emergency". I had an electrician install a 50 amp box so we could plug in and after research I bought the Progressive 50 amp EMS plug in type. Twice now here in a residential neighborhood wired to a modern home on a new system the Progressive has shut down due to low voltage. I wondered to myself how many times I had been operating on faulty voltage over the years and not known it, RV parks get a lot of use and abuse. I am glad I purchased this one, the only thing I wonder about is hard wired might be better, more secure, I just did not have time.

spanuts · 12-03-2013, 09:43 PM

don't leave the dealer without one, should be standard equipment
we installed the hard wired one from Progressive EMS cheap insurance

SeeTheUSA · 12-03-2013, 09:47 PM

Going without a surge protector is like driving without insurance!

Okiedoke · 12-03-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheToads

We have been RV for about 10 years now, starting with a towable, then fifth wheel and now a Motorhome. We have never felt a need to add a Surge Guard to the system. But considering all the electrical "stuff" we now haul around, I am wondering what is everyone's perspective on surge guards.
And if you had a choice, which one would you buy, knowing all that you now know.
Thank you
TheToads

Not sure we needed our Progressive unit, but the first month we used it we found a low voltage plug at a campsite. The unit shut off our power for short periods at least six times the first night when voltage dropped dangerously low. A PITA but that's why I bought it. We got the hard wired model.

Peacekeeper6 · 12-04-2013, 12:54 AM

I really don't get the logic of some people.

Here they are spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on their rig, and don't wish to spend a few hundred bucks to protect their expensive equipment.

I just don't get that. Please enlighten me. Because no matter how hard I try, I STILL don't understand it.

I bought a used Class A, and it was THE FIRST thing I bought. It was the 30 amp portable Progressive Industries one, highly recommended by many with top notch customer service.

It's worth the piece of mind.