Which Surge Guard

[Banjar]

I am undecided about which surge guard to buy. On one hand the hard-wired 50 amp unit would be more convenient but I would have to pay for installation. On the other hand the portable unit saves the install cost but I am not comfortable with leaving such an expensive item outside (even with a lock).

So the question is how much theft happens? Is it worth worrying about?

thanks.

[Banjar]

I am undecided about which surge guard to buy. On one hand the hard-wired 50 amp unit would be more convenient but I would have to pay for installation. On the other hand the portable unit saves the install cost but I am not comfortable with leaving such an expensive item outside (even with a lock).

So the question is how much theft happens? Is it worth worrying about?

thanks.

[Brigadoon]

I've had both, and like the hard wired setup better. No fuss, no worries about theft. I was chaining my portable Surge Guard to things. This became old. Additionally, I had one portable Surge Guard go bad after extremmely heavy rains while in Michigan a few years ago. It was replaced under warranty, but I've had no such problems with the two hard wired units that I've had since then (two MH's).

[troth]

Banjar, I hard wired my TRC Surgeguard in myself; -not really a big deal. Find a place in your electrical cabinet to mount it. Cut your shore power cord about 16" long, strip the wires and clamp 'em down on the output side of the SG. Then do the same for the long end of your shore power cord and wire it in to the input side of the SG. When the wires are all tightened down, mount the SG to the cabinet wall (I went through the wall and used machine screws, washers, and locknuts on the other side of the wall); -and add a cable hold-down clamp or two to your shore power cord near the SG.

[Zimectrin]

We did as 'troth' suggesed and feel very comfrontable with the installation.

Hard wired is best.

[Banjar]

Thanks, troth and Steve. I'll go for it. It's just a bit daunting as I've never worked with wire that size before.

Slow and careful, I guess, and no beer till it's done.

;-)

[rebelsbeach]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Steve:
We did as 'troth' suggesed and feel very comfrontable with the installation.

Hard wired is best. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Fellow IRV2 poster John Canfield's surge guard install with pictures

[BigRedLancer]

I added a hard-wired surge protector. The most difficult part of the installation was finding a mounting location that will not be in the way. The wiring part is a snap.

[Outbumn]

In the opinion of this forum, if you coulf only purchase 1 of these, which one would be more useful:

1) an Autoformer

2) a Hard Wired Surge Guard

If anyone has an Autoformer, did you mount it in your service bay?

Thanks,

[rebelsbeach]

Hughes Autoformer

I don't have one of these,but this ia a link to a Hughes 50A model and a sale price.

Also some other electrical items there...

[ISLAPP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Outbumn:
In the opinion of this forum, if you coulf only purchase 1 of these, which one would be more useful:

1) an Autoformer

2) a Hard Wired Surge Guard </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have both. I believe the autoformer claims some protection against surges, but I just didnt feel the comfort level for that.
In my opinion, both are needed. Autoformer for low power situations and surge guard for ciruit protection. If you can only afford one, get the surge guard. Chances are you can "live" with low power, but you wont live with a surge into your rig.
I mounted the surge guard "first", then the autoformer so that the surge guard protects the autoformer.
So the shore power cord attaches to the input of the surge guard, I put a plug on the output wires of the guard and plugged that into the autoformer. Then the output of the autoformer is wired into the transfer switch where the original shore power wires were attached.

There are surge guards and power boosters at www.rvupgrade.com
lease check them out
Mike

[Nomad]

Back to the original question, I went with the portable unit. I have a lock, but refuse to worry about someone cutting the cord and stealing it. Most people have no earthly idea what it is, and as I look out from my lawn chair at all the other RVs I see a mulititude of more useful stuff to run off with if I was a thief. I won't allow paranoia to degrade the quality of my life, plus who knows? It may last the life of this motorhome and I can use it on the next one.

[rebelsbeach]

Inline portable power management from RV Upgrades

Provides protection from High/Low Voltage, Line Fault, AC Frequency and more.
$400

ON EDIT---

Just received the inline version from RVUPGRADES....Will have to speak to UPS man about coming when wife is home...

Hey Nomad....WELCOME to IRV2!!

[Banjar]

Thanks to all for your replies.

Nomad, I share your opinion, but as a total newbie I am not sure if faith in my fellow RVers will be justified. I would really like to believe in the honesty of my neighbors and forget about the locks. That's what we do now at home.

A special thanks to Rebelsbeach; the Progressive Industries unit looks like a winner! Please don't steal it!

;-)