Surge protector

J. Bengert · 03-02-2009, 12:42 PM

We have a 2007 Phaeton..do we need an after market surge protector?

BigSkyBob · 03-02-2009, 01:00 PM

I would certainly recommend one. I have the 50 amp portable Surgeguard that has worked very well. They also make a hard wired version,

Cruzer · 03-02-2009, 01:02 PM

I see this is your first post. Let me be the first to welcome you to iRV2.

You definitely should install a surge protector. Not having one is very much like driving without insurance. Today's surge protectors do much more. In addition to protecting against surges, spikes, and lightning hits, they protect against out of tolerance voltages. A very common situation in many campgrounds is low voltage at the pedestal. That can cause just as much damage as a surge or spike.

In the past I've had both SurgeGuard and Progressive Industries units. You can get them from one of the iRV2 sponsors - RVupgrades. My personal preferencve is the Progressive Industries EMS 50C-HW, which displays both voltage and amperage on an easy to read LED display and provides some of the best surge protection specs in the industry.

Without a good surge protector you can plan oin eventually replacing or repairing some air conditioners, TV sets, etc. A surge protector is the first thing that goes on my coach when new.

TTT1953 · 03-02-2009, 01:17 PM

I concur with Cruzer.I installed the hardwired SurgeGuard and would never hook up with out one.

Welcome to IRV2. This is a great place to get lots of information and opinions. Coming here often can result in more fun and better camping. It can also lead to friendships that last a lifetime. Enjoy and come back often.

Harm · 03-02-2009, 01:20 PM

I second Cruzer on the Progressive Industries EMS 50C-HW. It was a great investment and has saved my coach many times in just 3 years of use. Everything from low voltage, high voltage and out west I even had high Hertz. In each case it immediately shut down power with no damage to my coach.

GaryKD · 03-02-2009, 02:14 PM

Hi J. Bengert,
Welcome to iRV2. I have a Surge Guard protector. It works as advertised and I would make the same purchase again. What ever brand you buy, please do consider making the purchase.

becks · 03-02-2009, 02:36 PM

A must have indeed. Very costly replacing electronics in the coach. I have the Pro Ind hard wire model with remote pendent.

David K · 03-02-2009, 03:11 PM

I have the SurgeGuard 50 amp model hard wired into my coach. Has stopped low voltage situations twice for me.

mygrayhound · 03-02-2009, 04:25 PM

Welcome J. Bengert...Although I'm pretty new myself I think you'll soon agree you've found a real treasure trove of RV knowledge here.

I just installed a hard wired 50 amp Surge Guard unit in my coach. It wasn't very difficult (except for working with the heavy gauge wire). When done however, nothing worked in the coach! I checked my work and it was fine, so I called the company for tech advice. They were very helpful (although it took a couple calls) and they traced it back to a "splitter" box I was plugging into the post when a 50 amp wasn't available. It only provided power to one leg instead of the two in a normal 50 amp plug and the surge protector didn't like that at all. I always wondered while using the box, why some electrical plugs would work in the coach and others didn't. So I tried a single plug adapter (50to30 amp). I simply set my control center power at 20 amp. now and everything works fine.

BTW the reason I wanted a surge protector was last year I fried my convertor/charger (costing $400+)at a campground. Nothing like smelling burnt wiring and seeing smoke in the coach when you wake up in the morning! I'm hoping not to go thru that again! I'd just do it. Good luck.

Fred and Bonnie · 03-02-2009, 05:46 PM

The bottom line is, if you ever experience a voltage surge, the repair will be many hundreds more expensive than the price of a good surge protector.

Fred

Mike506 · 03-03-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

mygrayhound

, what is a control center? Is it like a variable-amp circuit breaker?

mygrayhound · 03-03-2009, 05:08 PM

Hi Mike506,
I meant my Winnebago EMS Energy Management System (panel/center) that furnishes among other info (tank levels, bat. voltage, furnace controls & etc). It has a select button for 50, 30 and 20 amp supply but usually will select what's available on it's own. I usually don't need to "dial in" amp amounts, it just indicates what's there but since I was having problems with the supply I thought I'd select the 20 amp setting manually. It's neat but I'd hate to have a problem with it! Not sure how it works or why the option...you might be correct, maybe a breaker in there?

I guess the bottom line for me is...the surge protector showed (even before I used it at a campground) there was something wrong when I first tried it. I'm happy I finally installed one.
Gene

weaverworks · 03-04-2009, 03:56 AM

How difficult is it to install the Progressive EMS 50C-HW? I consider myself "pretty handy" so should I assume it's a DIY project? Are instructions well done?

Thanks

Paul