Community Forums

lindy · 01-19-2007, 05:30 PM

hi newbe to forum have 2005 newmar 37 8.1 gaser 50amp looking best way to protect from faulty power wife+i are ready to see america love all the info this forum offers

lindy · 01-19-2007, 05:30 PM

hi newbe to forum have 2005 newmar 37 8.1 gaser 50amp looking best way to protect from faulty power wife+i are ready to see america love all the info this forum offers

Kazoo Tom · 01-19-2007, 06:12 PM

Welcome to the forum!! You are absolutely right about all the information available here. Post any questions you can think of, there is bound to be someone here with an accurate answer.

You are right to be interested in a good quality surge guard. From reading the forum for some time, I believe that Progressive industries Surge Guard is one of the best. I prefer the hard wired models to the portable ones. They are not as prone to possible theft, and can be wired to protect from both shore and generator power.

"007" · 01-19-2007, 07:07 PM

Welcome lindy to irv2.

Come on down to the Newmar forum where your fellow Newmar owners hang out.

As for your question go to "Find" just above you and type in "surge guard" you will have over 400 answers to your question.

When your done with that join us and I will give you some KARMA.

JJ Hamick · 01-20-2007, 12:18 AM

Take it from the voice of experience, a surge guard is a GOOD thing to have. When I got my MH I made a stupid mistake that cost me several hundreds of dollars. I now have a Progressive EMS which covers all the bases.

RV Wizard · 01-20-2007, 12:26 AM

lindy, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. Congratulations on the 05 Newmar. I am sure you will like both it and the forum.
I highly recommend the SUrge Guard to help protect the many electronics in todays coaches. I never pluggin in with out it. You will find we are a group of fun loving RVers that like to help each other where we can. If you have any questions just ask. Good luck and take care.

DLBatz · 01-20-2007, 12:05 PM

There are two major companies (Progressived Industries and Surge Guard) that can provide surge protection, but don't stop there. In today's world you will encounter other just as serious problems with CG post electricity. High/low voltage, reverse polarity, neutral/ground/ failure, high/low Hz just to name a few.

After much research I chose Progressive Industries EMS. They provide the most protection and are most reasonably priced for the protection provided. The comparison chart provided below was prepared by a Progressive seller, but it is pretty accurate. It does not compare their WH 50 amp unit with Surge Guard's more recent 50 amp model and it is quit a bit more expensive.

Check the chart read the company info; figure what you can afford then make the decision.

Click
HERE for the comparison chart.

Click HERE for Progressive's web site.

Click HERE for Surge Guard's web site.

paz · 01-20-2007, 04:26 PM

I also chose the surge guard from Progressive industries. HERE is a link to a discussion of the merits of Progressive Industries over at another irv2 forum.

Both models of surge guard are available from RVUpgrades at THIS LINK. RVUpgrades has good prices, good customer service, and fast delivery. They are a sponsor of the irv2 forums.

NeilV · 01-22-2007, 08:24 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by lindy:
hi newbe to forum have 2005 newmar 37 8.1 gaser 50amp looking best way to protect from faulty power wife+i are ready to see america love all the info this forum offers </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

A surge guard while excelent is only half protection. You can also loose equipment to low voltage. A BuckBoost transformer such as the Hughs Autoformer provides additional protection to equipement that could overheat and burn out from use during brownouts. During a brownout a surge guard will cut your power unless you use the bypasse. Having a BuckBoost transformer will bring the voltage back up and allow you to keep your AC etc running without damageing it.

Barbara S. · 01-22-2007, 08:51 AM

I have been camping in an RV for 20+ years and have never used either the surge protector or the autoformer. That doesn't mean I don't realize the need for either/both since I have had lightning hit both my motorhome and my house. I know at Thousand Trails they recommend the autoformer because they have low power frequently. I am interested in acquiring both but they are expensive items. Which one would you recommend as the one to purchase first?

Roam America · 01-22-2007, 09:42 AM

I ditto the use of a surge protector. I have the 50A portable Surge Guard with the locking hasp for the plug. I didn't have room for the hard wired unit. I don't plug in without it anymore. In my last trailer I fried a TV due to CG power problems.

BIGRED1 · 01-23-2007, 11:06 AM

The Progressive Industries HW50C is "the cadillac" of surge protectors. It does much more, such as low/high voltage protection. It also protects against an open neutral and other miswired connections. If it sees 220V, it will shutdown in < than 1,000th of a sec. It also has a higher joules rating than the surge guard(it's ability to handle a large surge of power). IMO, this should be the first thing someone installs vs an autoformer or similar device. They may have some built in surge protection, but not the other features of Progressive's unit.

DLBatz · 01-23-2007, 12:05 PM

I agree with BIGRED1 and Progressive HW 30 amp EMS is what I bought, but if (on a regular bassis) you know that you are going to be camping where there is low power then the autoformer MAY be the better 1st investment. Progressive & SurgeGuard shut you down when there is low/high voltage. An autoformer will boost the voltage (if it is within tolerance) and you won't have to use your generator. The question is how often will this happen.

paz · 01-23-2007, 05:54 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DLBatz:
I agree with BIGRED1 and Progressive HW 30 amp EMS is what I bought, but if (on a regular bassis) you know that you are going to be camping where there is low power then the autoformer MAY be the better 1st investment. Progressive & SurgeGuard shut you down when there is low/high voltage. An autoformer will boost the voltage (if it is within tolerance) and you won't have to use your generator. The question is how often will this happen. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
We have run into low voltage quite a few times. Low voltage has always happened when hooked up to 30 amp service, not 50 amp. Voltage appeared OK initially when we first plugged in or when checked with a volt meter, but when a moderate load was placed on the curcuit (less than 30 amps so as not to trip the breaker), the voltage dropped and the surge guard kicked out.

We have also run into high voltage more often than you would think. This has always happened with 50 amp service.