Surge Protection

[Lazytexan]

I have a new RV and am getting ready for my first big trip. I am concerned about electrical problems at camp sites and have been looking into plug in surge arrestors to protect my systems. I have read a lot of problems are caused by poor quality surge protection units. I would appreciate hearing your comments about your experience and recommendations. Are power problems common at public RV parking sites?Which manufacturers have good surge arrestors? Do I need a unit with a power analyzer to check for problems with the pedestal wiring? Thanks

[pcurt23]

Originally Posted by Lazytexan

I have a new RV and am getting ready for my first big trip. I am concerned about electrical problems at camp sites and have been looking into plug in surge arrestors to protect my systems. I have read a lot of problems are caused by poor quality surge protection units. I would appreciate hearing your comments about your experience and recommendations. Are power problems common at public RV parking sites?Which manufacturers have good surge arrestors? Do I need a unit with a power analyzer to check for problems with the pedestal wiring? Thanks

Progressive Industries Portable 50 AMP Electrical Management System

Lots of discussion on surge protection in the forum.

[LarrytheBear]

Welcome to the forum!
I bought a Progressive 50 amp. They are expensive, about $369, but most that have them highly recommend them. They have a lifetime warranty and are simple to use.
Don't know what rig you have but if all you need is 30 amp they are a little cheaper.

[CLIFFTALL]

Another Progressive Fan here.

[TonyDi]

Progressive Industries and yes you need to be able to analyze the power on the pedestal. You may not need it many times, but you only need it once.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Another Progressive Fan here.

Ditto !! .... worth every penny !!

[docj]

Originally Posted by Lazytexan

Are power problems common at public RV parking sites?

They are common enough that having one of these devices will pay for itself many times over.

Originally Posted by Lazytexan

Which manufacturers have good surge arrestors?

Although I would probably buy a Progressive if I had to replace mine, my Surgeguard has served me well and has protected the stuff in our MH several times in the past 5+ year.

Originally Posted by Lazytexan

Do I need a unit with a power analyzer to check for problems with the pedestal wiring? Thanks

What you should be buying is the more expensive devices sold by both Progressive and Surgeguard that combine power analysis with surge suppression. You are far more likely to encounter problems at the pedestal than you are to encounter serious surges. These discussions are always misleading because the topic is usually labeled "surge suppressors" but it's the power management system you really need that happens to be packaged with a surge suppressor.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Go for the Progressive Industries! Get the model that monitors everything, including low and high voltage! You won't regret it!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[rvtrekers]

Progressive fan here!

[jacwjames]

I went without a surge protector for ~6 years. Then in 2014 we had a lightening strike at the house, the motor home was plugged into a 20 amp circuit to keep the batteries up. We lost a TV in the house and thought that was the extent of the problems. Wrong, while getting to leave on a trip close to Christmas I was prepping the motorhome and found that the EMS system wasn't working correctly. Further diagnosis found that the board was bad. $450 later after installing a new circuit board everything was fine.

In 2015 I started looking for a surge protector and found an open box special on Ebay for $200, a 50 amp Progressive Industry EMS-HW50C with the remote display, I also invested in a second display for the inside.

On our October trip we ran across problems in 2 campgrounds that probably wouldn't have been caught without the surge protector. Low voltage and reversed polarity.

Couldn't be happier about investing in a surge protector, should have done it long before I did.

[plasma800]

Originally Posted by rvtrekers

Progressive fan here!

and it's a MUST, not an IF for me...

[Dsrtrider]

Anybody use a Camco Surge protector?

[Lazytexan]

I have decided to go with the Progressive 30 amp hard wired EMS. It would be a little cheaper to just install a surge arrestor but the EMS doesn't cost much more and if there is a problem with the wiring of the pedestal the EMS should protect me from any damage. I originally planed to use a portable unit but changed my mind and am going to install a hard wired device. That will keep it out of the weather and safe from theft or accidentally leaving it plugged into the pedestal when I leave. I watched their video on how to install it and feel I can handle that but I may get my dealer's service department to install it for me. Gotta get ready - heading to South Dakota in about a month.

[sd75mac]

I originally purchased a 30 amp Surge Guard from CW. While on a trip thru Texas and Oklahoma, we hit some serious electrical storms. After returning, I noticed the LEDs on my power cord were showing a fault. The normal display is a green LED but mine was showing red when plugged into my Surge Guard and no display when the Surge Guard was removed from the circuit. I contacted Furrion and a replacment cord was shipped. Then I remembered the Surge Guard could have been compromised and I had no way to check it. So, I dumped that unit and purchased a Progressive EMT-PT30C, for my own peace of mind. I chose the portable unit for several reasons, one of which I can monitor the power at the pedestal before connecting my TT. If there is an error reading, the problem goes no further than the EMS unit. I also am using their locking bracket by locking the unit to the pedestal. That's my long way of saying I prefer Progressive over Surge Guard.