Some Transfer Switch do NOT have Surge Protection

[CWSWine]

I was told during my PDI that I had a Surge Guard Transfer Switch that would protect my coach from electrical surges. Surge Guard got bought out by Southwire so I check the part number to see the specs on the Model 40100 Surge Guard Transfer Switch thats in my coach. Guess What NO Surge Protection in the Model 40100. I called Newmar and they said that the base transfer switch don't have surge protection but there is an option to have a transfer switch with surge for additional charge. Here are the specs on my 40100. Click on PDF and check your part number and see if it has surge protection.

50A Model 40100 has mechanical interlocking contactors
n Time delay at power up
n Transfers to generator power automatically when energized
after 30 second delay. When both shore power and generator power are available, generator dominates after a 30 second delay. Once the generator is shut down, shore power activates after a 3-4 second delay.
n Dual contactor arrangement
n Does NOT provide surge protection
n 41300: 6.75”W x 7.62”L x 3.32”W
n 40100: 12.72”W x 16.13”L x 7.78”D

There are other models of Transfer Switch that have labels on them from Surge Guard and Southwire that has zero surge protection so don't just assume it has surge protection.

https://www.southwire.com/power-mana...00/p/40100-001

[Dennis C.]

It’s a bit confusing when you browse the literature. My coach is equipped with the Southwire SurgeGuard 40100-001 unit. When I reviewed the information on this product on Newgle, it appears that it does offer protection for high/low voltage, reverse polarity, miswired pedestals, high neutral current, open neutral, surges, open ground, and overheating plug/receptacle. I also reviewed the associated knowledge article on Newgle, which states:

“After market surge protection placed at the shore power supply source is an optional product, which provides an increased layer of surge protection. However, it is not required or installed by Newmar.”

My coach is a 2018, a year newer than yours. Perhaps this was updated in 2018?

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Dennis C.

It’s a bit confusing when you browse the literature. My coach is equipped with the Southwire SurgeGuard 40100-001 unit. When I reviewed the information on this product on Newgle, it appears that it does offer protection for high/low voltage, reverse polarity, miswired pedestals, high neutral current, open neutral, surges, open ground, and overheating plug/receptacle. I also reviewed the associated knowledge article on Newgle, which states:

“After market surge protection placed at the shore power supply source is an optional product, which provides an increased layer of surge protection. However, it is not required or installed by Newmar.”

My coach is a 2018, a year newer than yours. Perhaps this was updated in 2018?

Depends on who you want to believe - Newmar or Southwire. Here is the specs on the 40100-001 and states no surge protection.

https://www.invertersupply.com/index...ucts_id=194351

[UMXHAULER]

I am pretty sure that the Ventana, like the DS does not have surge protection unless you check the extra cost option for that feature. Just because the PDI person says something does not make it so-never ever trust anything they say has been my experience. Know the options and specifications of the coach you have bought/ordered and don't trust a salesman/PDI rep.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by UMXHAULER

I am pretty sure that the Ventana, like the DS does not have surge protection unless you check the extra cost option for that feature. Just because the PDI person says something does not make it so-never ever trust anything they say has been my experience. Know the options and specifications of the coach you have bought/ordered and don't trust a salesman/PDI rep.

I couldn't have said it better. I probably talk to 20 people in the last three years that said they have surge protection because it had the label of Surge Guard or Southwire on the transfer switch. I looked at one in LA and had the specs of the surge protection on the outside of the box and he said on the input has a replaceable circuit board that the handled surges and he carried an extra one with him.

Maybe someone that know more than me but I was told from Southwire Rep and Power Watch rep that surge protection get used up over the years and the unit gets less and less effective. I purchased a Watch Dog because my Progressive was over 5 years old. The Watch Dog has a replace surge protection board inside the unit that is user replaceable.

[Dennis C.]

I love confusing things like this! I actually read about the surge protection features that I mentioned above in the Southwire literature that's part of the 2018 Ventana owner's information. It didn't come directly from Newmar or from a sales associate.

In any case, I will continue to use my Progressive Industries surge protector/EMS at the pedestal.

[Dutch Star Don]

When we ordered our coach, we opted for the option of the Surge Guard 40350 RVC. It has surge protection. I bought the external monitor for it and placed it at the top of the power cord reel bay so I could view it when I plugged in.

After receiving the coach, I started to wonder if my choice was a mistake. If the SurgeGuard took a hit, I would most likely lose my transfer switch and be down until I could replace it. That's when I added the SurgeGuard portable unit at the shore connection. It gives me a feeling of a little more protection before the transfer switch.

Mine is on page 12 of the link below.

https://assets.southwire.com/ImConvS...ure%202019.doc

This is the shore connection I bought, it has 4200 joules of surge protection. For $100.00, I really don't care if it blows up into a 100 pieces, as long as everything is protected downstream.

https://www.amazon.com/Surge-Guard-4...0-4513d670b6bc

[Dennis C.]

I see the text in that Southwire brochure that says DOES NOT PROVIDE SURGE PROTECTION for the 40100-100.

This discussion definitely highlights the confusing information that is out there from Newmar, their sales associates, and their often confusing literature.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Dennis C.

I see the text in that Southwire brochure that says DOES NOT PROVIDE SURGE PROTECTION for the 40100-100.

This discussion definitely highlights the confusing information that is out there from Newmar, their sales associates, and their often confusing literature.

Yes sir, there are lots of people out there that think they have surge protection and don't.

If you look at the other thread about needing a surge protector on the pole most people were saying no but does he have the 40100 transfer switch.

[Dennis C.]

I think it’s an easy mistake to make. The product says “RV Power Protection” right on the label on the outside of the case. This certainly implies that it offers protection. You have to read the fine print to see the details!

I used a 30A surge protector/EMS with my Airstream in the past, so I didn’t even think twice about buying a 50A unit when I bought the Newmar.

[Old-Biscuit]

Some Transfer Switches are just that.......transfer switch
No EMS, No Surge, just transfer gen/shore power

[RVStitchy]

On our '22 it was a check box option for $829. "Transfer switch w/ surge protection ILO standard transfer switch". I think a lot of the dealers check this box when ordering their own inventory knowing it is important. Probably a reason why the average salesman thinks it is standard. It would be on the build sheet.

And we us an additional surge protector on the pedestal end cause they extra $300 for that unit just felt right.